I know this seems stupid, but I smothered my bakelite ashtray in motor oil for
an hour or so. Then wiped it off, and it turned out great. The finish has
stayed for the last 6 months. And, if it fades again then a little 30 weight is
a cheap easy fix.
Sorry, I haven't tried the synthetic stuff. :)
John
On Sunday, December 05, 2004 5:09 PM, Michael Ferguson [SMTP:tr3a@comcast.net]
wrote:
> Dan, sorry I'm a bit late in responding, but I haven't been "Listing" too
> regularly of late and just saw your note. Anyway, I restored my hub a couple
> of years ago and was quite pleased with the result. I figured if my idea
> didn't work, I could always paint it.
>
> I got the idea from a woodworking tool sharpening method called "scary
> sharp" where you start wet sanding with coarse grit (220 or so) wet or dry
> sandpaper and work through progressively finer grits (up to 2000). I thought
> if it will make a high carbon steel chisel so shiny you can use it as a
> mirror (and it does!), surely it would work on bakelite. I seem to recall
> buffing it with white buffing compound when I was finished with the sanding.
>
> The result was a very smooth, satin finish black with just a hint of a
> brownish tint. Probably not what it was when new, but I rather like the fact
> that it has a beautiful patina now...looks like it has aged gracefully!
> Plus, it won't peel off!
>
> It was not particularly time consuming or tedious (beats the he!! out of
> sheet metal rust repair, but that's another story!!!). I did all the sanding
> by hand, then used the buffing wheel. You might want to give it a shot if
> you haven't already painted.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Michael Ferguson
> 1959 TR3A, TS53990L...O
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-triumphs@Autox.Team.Net [mailto:owner-triumphs@Autox.Team.Net]
> On Behalf Of Dan Scharpf
> Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 9:40 AM
> To: triumphs@Autox.Team.Net
> Subject: Restoring Bakelite
>
> I'm working on the center cap of the steering wheel of my '54 TR2, and
> the bakelite is quite faded....
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