Trash To Treasure! How to Clean And Polish Bakelite Cheap and Fast!

There are probably many ways to do this, and many products, Alex shows us how to clean and polish bakelite using common household cleaners that will do the job, and be very cost effective. turn that gross looking old radio into something worthwhile again! if we can take garbage from a barn and make it look nice, so can you! :)

[@gphilipc2031]

I did my 70 year old Motorola with a very mild abrasive polish. This sweet radio still works. A personal treasure.

[@kellyngrey4950]

I love cleaning/restoring montages! So satisfying to see all that gunk taken off. Also really informative on how to clean certain types of antiques/classic items.

[@melmoland988]

you should do more how to videos. i had no idea what brasso was before this and you're good at explaining stuff and why it works. thanks

[@robertcroft8241]

Brasso is Magic for cleaning plastic RV windows, scratches on glass , cars !

[@tracylemme1375]

You obviously were never in the military.

[@Grogfury777]

If you were in the military you were required to buy Brasso.

[@melmoland988]

@@Grogfury777 really?

[@Grogfury777]

@@melmoland988 Yes...

[@claudefondeville7353]

This radio is very beautiful, it is complete even with its knobs, making it come back to life is easy, it is a hobby of mine.

[@kayekaye4251]

I love these little lessons, i have a lot of bakelite thats been handed down to me, i will be having a go at some point to polish them up. thank you for the tips

[@beaward2769]

Its pretty easy to clean. I test bakelite with Dollar tree Awesome spray liquid. Bakelite will immediately turn a dull yellow hue on your material. Brasso polishes it well

[@nealart]

Thanks this was helpful - I went to find my brass polish and realized I had Meguiar's plastic polish for my headlights and it worked great.

[@rayfenwick8761]

Definitely restorable, and looking fabulous.

[@markduncan6690]

I dream of finding a radio like this!! Clean it up - sit back listen and enjoy!!

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

There are lots out there!

[@enduringpatriot]

Wow! Very nice finish. I've got an old Philco that I will be using your ways to restore. I may do a video similar to yours, so if I do, I will certainly give you credit for the method.

[@moviebuffinla]

Thank you so much for this! I used your suggestions to restore a bakelite table I have and it worked beautifully.

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

great fine restore but, there could be one more step I have quite a number of cans with army wax which is a beeswax dissolved in gasoline when applied the gasoline dissolves a bit of the Bakelite resin and this bonds with the wax when buffed after its dry it will get a high gloss showroom shine and this shine will turn rock hard after a day or two great for barn finds like this ps some folks just want radio's like this for decoration they don't care if it works

Let them fix one up then

[@dang2443]

@ huh?

[@rogierius]

Hoi Tino, kan je wat meer uitleggen over diesel met bijenwas en bakeliet? Ik heb hier een Oost-Duitse naaimachine met een bakeliets omkasting. Vet gaaf, maar het bakeliet kan wel een opknapbeurt gebruiken. Toevallig kwam ik je commentaar tegen en hopelijk kan je me een beetje op weg helpen.

[@carlb6817]

Good work! The old stuff is great to make “new” again!

[@nellieolguin-davis1519]

Hello Alex really enjoyed your video wow that was such an informative video thank you for that!!!God Bless!!!❤️

[@bodeine454]

Looks good! I haven't tried this on bakelite before but I've been seeing a lot of comments on other bakelite videos where people swear by buffing with Mothers mag polish. Anyway, every time I see an old radio I think about that Twilight Zone episode about the people in the retirement home and one man has an old radio that seems to still pick up an old radio station that he remembers listening to when he was a young man and no one but him can ever catch it playing that station so then they all think he's just senile! Yeah, that's what I think about. I'm dry burning a kerosene heater wick that's using diesel fuel and it's getting pretty intense in here right about now! Thanks for the video!

[@shammon1]

Superb, thanks for uploading I am presently looking to try this on Bakerite uboat artefacts.

[@deettekearns9092]

It’s a really beautiful radio. Too bad it cannot be restored. Thanks for posting!

[@richardmcleod5967]

So this amounts to cleaning with soap and water, then polish cover and polish well with Brasso (using 0000 Stainless steel pad lightly) and finally a good buffing with Liquid Gold. Right? That is really a nice looking (I assume) Airline radio. Bakelite varied with quality depending on what was used in the Bakelite to make it. Some radios have thin Bakelite cabinets while others are much thicker. Of course the thinker Bakelite has a better chance of making it through the years, but none are immune to cracking if dropped or damaged somehow. How would you compare this method with the NOVUS 1, 2, 3 method? I have read that Bakelite if alcohol is used will cause the Bakelite to never have a shine again. It seems the alcohol products damage the Bakelite beyond the ability of it ever having a good shine again regardless of what is used. That radio sitting in a dirty barn with pigeon droppings, dust and dirt all over it probably saved the Bakelite from being damaged and eventually being able to be cleaned and brought back to its' original shine.

[@nikkiallen4656]

Thanks, I've got a bit of trash plastic I'm making in to a pendant, will try the brasso to see if it'll shine it up.

[@photographteacher]

I wonder what made the chassis un-restorable ? most of these 1940s radios are called All American 5 because they are very simple - 5 tubes , a plug and a bunch of cheap resisters and caps. Most of the AA tubes are only $2-$3 a piece and volume switches can be sourced. The case looked more unique than most bakelites --- Never sand or do anything to bakelite that produces dust, because bakelite has asbestos and all kinds of other junk in it. I fear the liquid gold is also temporary, like Howards finish for wood it will dry up over time, need to re-apply and it will probably always come off on fingers and clothes as the radio is touched. Bakelites shine is made by pressure in the molding process, once the shine is gone it can never be restored by any method. All waxes and silicone just leave a wet look that eventually dries and while it is wet comes off by touch.

[@sishowser848]

Furniture polish Ive used on plastic Never would have dreamed of using Brasso Or steel wool. Thanks I use scrubbing bubbles on plastics a lot. can.t wait to have something to try your method..

[@ChristianConservativ]

I like the bird dropping side. I am a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". So that probably does it for me. lol Just kidding it looks good.🤣

[@MyPhoenix62]

Very underrated hobby!!

[@thomasjordan5578]

If the guts are shot a solid state replacement could be fitted. It will use a fraction of the cabinets interior and sound good with replacement speakers. The rich tonality you get with a tube set won’t be there but that and everything else was already gone. No whippersnapper would ever know it wasn’t as original.

[@fredfredricj.lowecfp-tm3299]

I enjoyed your video. I am going to attempt to restore the finish on bakelite handles and knobs for my cookware that is 47 years old. You mentioned 1000 grit steel wool but I cannot identify what that is. Is it 000 or 0000 steel wool? I think it is 000 but I wanted to ask you. Thank you!

[@trachtpiques1231]

Nice man. Thanks. Never thought of the furniture polish. It does shine it up. Great vid.

[@hobie1dog]

Thanks for sharing this with us, excellent video.

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

My pleasure Marty!

[@toeknee5565]

Do you worry about asbestos exposure with the Bakelite?

[@turtlefromthenorth]

I went finest sand paper then cloth buffing with a dremel before using a resin based polish for cars. It worked very well. The polymer forming polishes work well on plastics like bakelite, bexit, melamin, etc. I might try furniture polish after watching your video, I'm not sure what a museum quality restoration would be?

[@jimmarshall5453]

I have an old high value bakelite casino plaque from Monte Carlo that got brittle and then shattered with very light handling. If I wanted to put it back together again, what would you recommend?

[@FordSeniorMaster]

Thanks to YOU for pronouncing Bakelite correctly. I get SO sick of hearing it called "Bake-A-Lite" ! It IS Bakelite folks, NOT Bake-A-Lite! BTW, EXCELLENT instructional video man! TOP NOTCH! That Bakelite case looks AWESOME!

[@bluemoonskye1]

CyberLinkGuy1968 I agree!!

[@firey3678]

WOW never knew brasso could be used in this way! Thank you!

[@ConriOakfield]

Love bakelite. Gram's house was full of it. Too bad there wasn't a modern radio kit you could throw in those old radios.

[@foreverjenuwin8793]

Thank you for sharing your cleaning ideas! Much appreciated!

[@theodorelisa2462]

wow that is really great i have a bakelite 45 record player i am restoring and it looks good but i know it can look better, thanks for the tip i am going to try this.

[@liamandrade5167]

This would be a sick speaker sleeper build replace the old drivers with new high power ones and a new amplifier

[@FordSeniorMaster]

Who in the HELL would "Down Vote" this!!?? Some "people" are complete IDIOTS! EXCELLENT tutorial man!

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

Thanks so much!

[@jimomaha7809]

unrestorable radios are perfect to transform into wireless/bluethooth speakers.

[@schmenkspeedtyping218]

You can restore anything if you are good enough

[@nickblackburn1903]

No that's sacrilege

[@R.L.KRANESCHRADTT]

Very cool idea.

[@ethan.000]

Absolutely not

[@Rainbow__cookie]

You should still use the amplifier part tho Fix up the amp section and connect a Bluetooth receiver into the turn table port or something

[@iMadrid11]

This radio would be a cool Mini-ITX PC case for modders.

[@vicc6744]

Thanks-I got an old GE bakelite radio shell that I want to clean- very nice video-

[@moogdome2562]

Excellent wow. well done.

[@kpdvw]

SO this is what you do on a SLOW DAY in the shop? Very slick!

[@058467]

Wow, she was gorgeous in her day! Nice!

[@markpeters8809]

I have a 1950 working Admiral bakelite TV that now I'll polish cabinet.

[@youreadyfreddie]

Wow! That container of Lysol Disinfecting Wipes is probably worth more than the radio during the time of COVID.

[@SHAVEDGERMANHEAD]

Thanks for the great video... I have a question for you if you don't mind me asking? I have an old 60's Bakelite phone and it had a sticker on it and i used alcohol on it to rub it off and it became dull looking... Can i bring it back by using the polish you recommended? Did I destroy the luster? Appreciate your help.. Michael and thank you...

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

Yes you can polish it this way:)

[@SHAVEDGERMANHEAD]

@@CuriosityIncorporated thanks for the reply...

[@DAP-mi7ck]

Great job. Can you tell me what cloth you used for buffing It with Brasso? It looked leather.

[@selasproul750]

Fantastic! Thank you, I need to clean up some brass/bakelite eatery

[@bradtorville5526]

The music is a bit loud when you are talking. Maybe lower it or remove it when you are talking. Makes it difficult to hear you clearly.

[@sinister1007]

Brad Torville agreed

[@MarcosCodas]

Best thing for this would be sidechaining with a compressor, actually. It'd lower or "duck" the music when he speaks automatically. Much less work in post.

[@MrJeep75]

Very nice, I bet someone would buy that

[@denaredford6701]

Looks wonderful .

[@Peldyn]

I just bought brasso to clean my candlesticks. Never thought that I could use it to clean my grandmother’s jewelry

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Are you going to remove the chassie and replace the speaker ?

[@jacobg7966]

Gonna use this for my makarov bakelite grips

[@Normand767]

Great job!

[@ldg2655]

That turned out so pretty, it seems a shame to part it out..

[@Fightnight92]

did you he use brasso or liquid gold?

[@nor4277]

Thank you for the info and your video

[@laurensouthgate2458]

Wow amazing difference thanks for sharing.

[@stevelender6852]

Awesome info like to see more stuff u bring Alice impressive

[@nor4277]

Thanks for your help

[@Golden-Freddy1987]

hey dude note to you since hands tend to be shaky, try putting the camera down on a surface that's about to your neck don't have one that high? stack things! Just a little thing that helps the video look better and you don't have to hold it

[@yourfriend3523]

This was an amazing video. Thank you for making it.

[@retrocollectables8713]

We have 7 old vintage radios that we are selling. This video is really going to help us polish these up. Thanks so much for sharing these tips. Can we ask 1 thing and that is will any of these chemicals have a negative effect on the bakelite over time?

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

I'm so glad it was helpful! I've used Brasso for several years now and haven't had any strange discolouration or side effects! I hope this helps! :)

[@retrocollectables8713]

Helps a lot thank you so much

[@retrocollectables8713]

just a update I have just used this on a radio we sold and wow cant believe how well this tip worked. The radio looks amazing. Thank you once again for sharing this information

[@vijayaramprasad7445]

what is the model No and country of Manufacture of this philips radio?

[@Mrmemories64]

Pretty cool but how does it look after the liquid gold dries up?

[@mynameis9057]

any idea what it's worth fixed up to original or what a working one is worth? I'd have to clean the whole thing, pigeon poo well, you know. thanks for the tutorial. ☆☆☆

[@richardmcleod5967]

These radios may not be worth what it costs to restore them, but money shouldn't really be issue. Just the enjoyment of bringing one of these back to life and "singing again" is more that worth the actual monetary value of the radio.

[@Ra1276]

Excellent work

[@ethelryan257]

Very useful, thanks.

[@bshingledecker]

Any tips for repairing chips and cracks? With tube heat, I rarely find a case that is pristine, and aside from being dirty, there is usually a crack or chip or two. Plastic wood with paint in it is what I have heard about. Have not tried it as of yet. I don't want to try something that wont work.

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

chips and cracks are kind of a death sentence to originality... but... you could attempt to re-glue the breaks, then fill with a small amount of auto body filler. sand, then wet sand and colour match the repair with paint. it will not be perfect but it will resolve the chips :)

[@bshingledecker]

Finding Bakelight anything, that is NOT melted, cracked, or chipped is becoming very difficult. Thanks for your response.

[@rubenproost2552]

Would cockpit spray work? I'm considering shoe polish on a philips in the same color.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoej]

Music too loud !!! Shame you can’t restore the radio 📻

[@leescharpf8101]

Thank you!

[@Ronbo710]

I didn't even know they still made Liquid Gold Thanks !!

[@paulbillings1791]

Liquid Gold wouldn't be the best final finish. It really doesn't dry well and an oily surface will attract dust. Another old school product that works well,Johnson's Paste Wax. Original formula in the yellow can. Rub in. Wait 20 minutes. Rub off any remaining residue. Dry shiny finish.

[@tinamariegregory3130]

Are you aware bakelite is toxic ?( I am replacing drawer pulls on and antique for this reason) If so, do you have any information about this that others should know ?

[@gwcoty0715]

Its not toxic unless you purposely snort the sanding dust.

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

Very cool job and old radio. Too bad the guts are beyond hope though. Randy McDaniels, TLC.

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

Thanks so much! i have it sitting around half finished, kind of neat to look at :) maybe I'll have someone come in who needs a good case!

[@Huanchee]

Brasso isn’t doing much...is it just cuz it was stained with nicotine that I have to keep scrubbing? I don’t want to ruin it by scrubbing it so much that it starts to damage the case.

[@dalegallis9780]

what type of pad are you using with the brasso?

[@aidanvadala1937]

Do you know where I can get a 1961 bush radio fixed all that is wrong with it is a capacitor fell off inside it and cannot find where it goes

[@mr1enrollment]

Using a buffer and rouge would take to the next level, then any good hard car wax.

[@SimplySassy59]

WOW! I'm impressed!!!

[@nor4277]

Ali express,I have found many types of radio knobs cheap ,that look the same as those knobs ,I wish I could find ,some.plexiglass cleaner use in the airforce.

[@richardcline1337]

I would have cleaned the whole thing. May people buy things like this even though they don't work just for shelf art.

[@ghostrider8307]

Awesome job!

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

Thanks Gaurav it cleaned up pretty nice :)

[@brimstonefondue]

interesting...wonder how well brasso would work on yellowed headlights on a car?

[@brapcast]

It looks like the marbling disappeared with one of the compounds. Can you speak to that?

[@johnnykarate_SweepLeg]

Do I dare try this with my Star-Lite Hi-Fi Super Deluxe 5-tube Superheterodyne vintage radio?? Model: RN-57 It's black, not brown.

[@mikewinkelman7015]

Nice to. know I'm going to try it thanks

[@terrydec]

Good job!

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

thanks Terry!

[@highwaystar8310]

I would convert the cool old radio into a Bluetooth speaker

[@bluemoonskye1]

What can you use instead of the wood cleaner?

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

Any wax or polish will do

[@nor4277]

I have several 60,s white plastic clock radios ,i just want to make the case shinny the case are in pretty good shape ,i just want a good way to make them to look better ,high gloss ,the easy and cheapest way possible.any ideas ,maybe ultra fine paint polish or not ? Help anyone

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

This method would probably work on that too

[@c.brionkidder9232]

Novus plastic polish is designed just for this purpose, and is inexpensive.

[@hellskitchen10036]

Great video ...love the music!!!

[@tailsdollblack9340]

id go full ham on that radio. full throttle cleaning tube check new cloth new plug and plug wire whip it onto a 12 volt power supply comb through all the caps and resistors axe out the one with salvaged wax caps plug in my home brew dim-bulb tester and pray to Jesus that this thing ain't a stick of dynamite masquerading as a oldschool radio XD

[@CuriosityIncorporated]

You should have this old radio ! :)

[@felixalvares8338]

Thanks

[@felixalvares8338]

.

[@margiemistretta8885]

You should repurpose the radio. Like remove the speaker area and find a thin nice wood to fit the area and make a drawer. Could be used to hold desk stuff or a jewelery box. Just a thought

[@nor4277]

It's a shame you not able to restore it .

[@YeeThirty]

Lol damn radio fanatics, ive been buying tube radios lately and people keep telling me to restore the ones that are too far gone to repair XD Ive been dismantling them to list online for other peoples restorations, it may hurt a bit but if there weren't people parting out these old radio's others wouldn't have the parts to do restorations and they would most likely end up in the land fill.

[@brucemurray4180]

Why don't you polish the other side and replace the speaker with a google nest mini and replace the speaker cloth. Google nest mini's are around 25 bucks on ebay. You could sell it as an automated classic radio with much better sound.

[@RichardArmstrongFingerstyle]

Triumph. 955i Daytona!!!!

[@TheReal1953]

0000 steel wool is about 400grit....just sayin'. Cool vid!

[@gabevee3]

Awesome!!!!!!