Black Bakelite Repair - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

YoungManGW · 24th May 2014, 9:13 pm

I need to repair a 4" crack, which also boasts some small chips, in a black Bakelite cabinet. This will obviously involve not just glueing, but filling and, more than likely, colouring too. Having previously repaired only brown Bakelite cabinets, any words of wisdom as to glues, fillers, and colourings would be very welcome. Thank-you.

john116 · 24th May 2014, 10:26 pm

For this, I usually use a two part epoxy (Here in Australia, something called Araldite). I file an old piece of the required colour Bakelite so that it's a very fine powder, and then mix it with the epoxy. Glues and fills the crack/chips. Sometimes you might need add one additional layer after the first dries. Then carefully sand smooth/polish. While not completely invisible it usually makes a good repair. From a short distance, you can't see it usually.

24th May 2014, 9:13 pm	#1
YoungManGW Hexode Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oswestry, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 408	Black Bakelite Repair I need to repair a 4" crack, which also boasts some small chips, in a black Bakelite cabinet. This will obviously involve not just glueing, but filling and, more than likely, colouring too. Having previously repaired only brown Bakelite cabinets, any words of wisdom as to glues, fillers, and colourings would be very welcome. Thank-you.

24th May 2014, 10:26 pm	#2
john116 Pentode Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 156	Re: Black Bakelite Repair For this, I usually use a two part epoxy (Here in Australia, something called Araldite). I file an old piece of the required colour Bakelite so that it's a very fine powder, and then mix it with the epoxy. Glues and fills the crack/chips. Sometimes you might need add one additional layer after the first dries. Then carefully sand smooth/polish. While not completely invisible it usually makes a good repair. From a short distance, you can't see it usually.