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Old 7th Mar 2022, 4:05 pm   #1
Goldieoldie
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Default Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Hi All
I have a Canadian northern electric 5110 radio which appears to be Bakelite .
Unfortunately it’s been painted ( rather badly ! )
Has anyone had success with a paint stripper on Bakelite ?
The original colour is the mottled rose in the bottom right which I would like to retain if possible
Cheers
Pete
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Old 7th Mar 2022, 4:06 pm   #2
Goldieoldie
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Btw
It’s missing it’s knobs if anyone has any please ?
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Old 7th Mar 2022, 4:32 pm   #3
PJC58-Hythe
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

I've never tried paint stripper on Bakelite. It might be an idea to try a test using some on the inside of the case to see what effect it has on the Bakelite before you try applying it to the whole case!
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Old 7th Mar 2022, 4:50 pm   #4
TonyDuell
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

It depends on the paint of course, but I've had success stripping household emulsion paint from Blocks, Terminal (telephone junction boxes) and other electrical accessories by soaking them in a strong, warm, solution of _biological_ washing powder (the cheapest such stuff I could find in a local supermarket).

I doubt that would do any damage to a bakelite radio cabinet so it could be worth a try.
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Old 7th Mar 2022, 4:51 pm   #5
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

I have - and it was O.K.: but I agree with Pete .... try a little on the inside/in an inconspicuous place first.
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Old 7th Mar 2022, 4:59 pm   #6
paulsherwin
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

I've used old school Nitromors in the past without problems.

There may be a good reason why it was painted though
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Old 7th Mar 2022, 5:07 pm   #7
David G4EBT
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

I've stripped several Bakelite radios over the years with no ill effects to the cabinet.

Most have been radios which had been sprayed at the factory.

Today's paint-strippers on sale to the public are fairly innocuous and for some years by law don't contained DCM (dichloromethane).

When you say it's been 'painted rather badly' that infers that you believe it was a 'DIY' rattle can spray job, but it's just as likely it was done at the factory. That doesn't mean you can't strip the paint and polish the brown Bakelite cabinet using say Greygates Polish #5 or whatever if that's to your liking, but to a discerning eye, that might not look original.

Many such Bakelite radios were painted in bright colours at the factory, be they by British or overseas manufacturers.

For example, here's a '5110' in green:

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/northe...ow_5110_3.html

From the late 50s onwards, certainly in the UK, Bakelite radios - just like dark oak furniture - fell out of favour as drab and old fashioned. OK in your mum's house, but as a young home-maker, not in yours. As an example, some years ago I bought a 'basket case' Little Maestro 'T105' for under a fiver which - in my ignorance - I assumed had been DIY sprayed in a what some might consider a gaudy turquoise blue colour, which had faded. I discovered that it had left the factory in that colour, with gold banding around the front edge of the cabinet. I managed to match the paint colour, stripped the cabinet and resprayed the cabinet as it was meant to be.

It may not be to everyone's taste, just as to me, the much-vaunted so called 'iconic' Bush DAC90A is a depressing and drab reminder of post-war austerity, ration books, queues, and shortages, a time through which I lived and about which I don't wish to be reminded.

Some pics attached, of the T105 as found and resprayed.

Good luck with the restoration.
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Old 7th Mar 2022, 7:33 pm   #8
Goldieoldie
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Thanks for the suggestions
I’ll try the wash powder first
The original Colour in this pic is the rose mottled finish rather than brown Bakelite
I would like to get rid of the white but retain the rose colour
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Old 8th Mar 2022, 10:12 am   #9
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Could the original paint be a metallic finish?
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Old 8th Mar 2022, 10:59 am   #10
Goldieoldie
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Silicon View Post
Could the original paint be a metallic finish?
Yes I think it is metallic paint as original
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Old 8th Mar 2022, 1:08 pm   #11
emeritus
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Methylated Spirit is good for removing modern emulsion paint.
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Old 8th Mar 2022, 3:22 pm   #12
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

I remember stripping the front panel of an HMV 1115 using the "new" formula Nitromors, it took far longer than the old stuff, perhaps an hour or two between applications.
It didn't appear to affect the finish of the Bakelite underneath but it did reveal why it was painted at the factory in the first place!
Lots of inclusions under the olive drab paint.
I'd avoid solvents like cellulose thinners, nail varnish remover (acetone) etc.
Not heard about the washing powder technique, must make a note of that.
Best of luck chap!
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Old 8th Mar 2022, 11:13 pm   #13
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

It seems some dark bakelite & wooden radios were painted brighter colours when the lighter colours became fashionable.
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Old 15th Jun 2022, 7:37 pm   #14
Tony DF
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Not sure if you guys have Easy Off oven cleaner on your side of the pond. If so, it won't harm the bakelite. I normally double up a few garbage bags, put the cabinet in the bottom of the bag, take it outside and spray liberally. Coat the entire cabinet inside and out. Seal up the bag with a twist tie, and check it the next day or 2. Re-apply if it needs more. You will have a bag of "goo" when done, so be careful to not to put a hole in the bag. Just put it out in the garbage (being careful it doesn't leak out). Rinse the cabinet off in the laundry tub with some warm water and soap. It should gleam like new. Warning this will only work on bakelite, it will melt a plastic cabinet.
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Old 17th Jun 2022, 3:54 pm   #15
David Simpson
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Have a look at my thread post "GEC BC 5445" from 22nd Dec. last.
I've been using "Co Op Nail Care" acetone free nail polish remover. Applied with 0000g fine wire wool.

Regards, David
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Old 17th Jun 2022, 8:39 pm   #16
stevehertz
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

The areas around the knobs that you refer to as rose coloured are the original colour of the set. The knobs have largely blocked UV light from reaching those areas, but elsewhere the UV has faded the set to a more brownish shade. Hard to predict in this case, but it is usually possible using cutting paste to restore the colour back to a faded painted surface. But of course you first of all have to remove the white paint without damaging the original finish.
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Old 18th Jun 2022, 4:09 pm   #17
Silicon
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Default Re: Paint stripper for Bakelite radio

Am I correct in thinking that the bakelite case was originally painted in a metalic 'Rose' or 'Burgandy' shade of cellulose which has faded to brown.

Then someone painted it in recent times with Acrylic or Vinyl white paint?
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