Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

"w5kcm" wrote in message
...
Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

Hi Randy,
I have used repeated applications of motor oil on my Collins bakelite knobs.

Dale W4OP

On Apr 24, 6:28*pm, "Dale Parfitt" wrote:
"w5kcm" wrote in message

...

Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

Hi Randy,
I have used repeated applications of motor oil on my Collins bakelite knobs.

Dale W4OP

On Apr 24, 6:28*pm, "Dale Parfitt" wrote:
"w5kcm" wrote in message

...

Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

Hi Randy,
I have used repeated applications of motor oil on my Collins bakelite knobs.

Dale W4OP

Hi Randy,
I have used Amorall successfully to bring back the luster on both
knobs and black wrinkle finishes. KF6KXG Mike

w5kcm wrote:
Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

I use a buffing wheel and jewelers rouge. After buffing, you may use
automotive wax for a nice shine.

Dave K8MN

w5kcm wrote:
Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

The problem is that the surface gets etched, and you need the surface to
be smoothed out. Green jeweler's rouge on a rag and a little elbow grease
will do wonders.

I tried toothpaste... it is too fine. Just takes forever. Might be okay
to use toothpaste with a buffing wheel but definitely not by hand.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On Apr 24, 2:49*pm, w5kcm wrote:
Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

Several very good ideas. I will give them a try. Thanks to everyone &
73,
Randy, W5KCM

Please don't use motor oil, WD-40, Armorall, wax, etc. Those are temporary
coatings which must be reapplied and actually attract dirt over time.

Use Novus Plastic Polish #2 and a soft toothbrush, followed by brisk rubbing
with a soft rag. The shine will last forever.

Available from many online suppliers, such as Antique Electronic Supply,
http://www.tubesandmore.com/ .

I have used #2 to polish hundreds of radio dials, knobs, bezels, etc.

Don't use #3 -- too abrasive for most situations. I also don't have much use
for #1, which is more of a protectant for something that's already shiny
(and could be cleaned up just as well with mild soapy water or Windex).

If you clean and polish the knobs correctly, there is no reason to spray
them with any sort of new coating. The knobs were not sprayed with stuff
when the radio left the factory.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

w5kcm wrote:
Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

I'm currently using McGuire's Mirror Glaze 9, "professional swirl
remover 2.0". It does the job and provides a permanent finish and is
easy to find.

On May 1, 3:48*am, K3HVG wrote:
w5kcm wrote:
Anyone have some ideas on restoring some old black knobs to the
original glossy finish? These are the black knobs possibly made from
bakelite? used on the HQ-170 receiver and many other old boatanchor
type equipment. I have a couple of the knobs on my old AT-1 that have
gone dull and I would like to return them to the nice glossy finish?
Thought about cleaning them real well and then spraying them with some
type of clear glossy finish? Possibly there is a better idea out
there. Thanks & 73, Randy, w5kcm

I'm currently using McGuire's Mirror Glaze 9, "professional swirl
remover 2.0". *It does the job and provides a permanent finish and is
easy to find.

I use a buffing wheel, but run it with a variac at lower RPM's so as
not to burn the knobs/plastics, etc. I just use the white buffing
stick for rouge and it really brings stuff upto a really nice shine.
Of course I have two buffing wheels, one for plastics and the other
for metals, never use the metal one on plastics!
Tim