Is there a commercial product or something else that is known to properly clean and polish bakelite with? Is there a thread on this list anyone can refer me to?

I know not to use anything with ammonia in it, and I saw a you tube video about using Go-Jo, but I'd really like to hear from the experts here who probably know the best way to return a bakelite TV cabinet to a polished luster not seen since 1947 when it was brand new.

Thanks for any help with this.

Cliff

Brasso. But try and find some of the original formula in the metal can. The "new and improved" in the plastic bottle is new, but definately not improved.

Isn't Brasso mostly ammonia?

why not an automotive rubbing compound and polish?

I have used Novus http://www.novuspolish.com/

Read these:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=129357&highlight=bakelite
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=79826&highlight=bakelite
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=138270&highlight=bakelite

I personally clean them as-found with dishwashing soap and water. Once CLEAN, spray 8 or 10 coats of UV-stabilized high-gloss polyurethane (Minwax makes a good one). If it's not CLEAN, you'll encase the dirt forever. So I'll stress CLEAN one more time. Then I work the urethane surface as described above (sanding, compounding, waxing) instead of the original surface. No chance of burning through to the pulp that way, and minimal loss of original craftsmanship. Results are stretched mirror over original swirl, spectacular. But I've been known to spend a few weeks or a month on one cabinet that way. And I've been doing it for a hundred years. Practice on something you don't care about for a while first. Shouldn't be rocket science.

I have used Brasso for many years, 1970s to clean all sorts of plastic and phenolic cabinets. Find the kind in the metal can, shake it up, put some on an old wash cloth and rub with slight pressure, it will start to drag and haze, looks like you ruined it but take a clean cloth and rub it off, it will shine! this will work on many clear lenses as well. it will not work on predicta lenses!

Clean it off w/soap & warm water, & then go over it w/Meguier's Polishing compound. I use my bare fingers to apply it, & they WILL turn orange., as will any/all rags you use to wipe it off. After the Polishing compound, the bakelite will look like total ASS, but you ain't done, Bunky. Now, go over it w/a coat or 2 of Meguier's pure Carnauba wax, after which the Bakelite will GLOW. It won't have a glassine shine, but will glow, which is prolly better. The more Elbow Grease you expend, the better.

Thanks for all the hints, tips and links to bakelite restoration. Very much appreciated.
When it set looks spiffy, I'll post a pic of it here.
Regards,
Cliff

Well... I haven't YET touched any bakelite antique piece that I have ( I have three: a radio, a telephone and an Admiral TV set ). I know this is a shame, but I have never polished any of them yet. They are still pretty much in the same way they were when I bought them. BUT, I have ALWAYS read and heard from collectors all over the world that the best thing to use to bring the glow back to the bakelite are shoe polish products. Does anyone here have any thought on this matter?

After reading some of the replies I thought I'd chime in, remember, never rework Bakelite. That means no sanding or trying to melt cracks together ect. Bakelite can contain asbestos, carbon black and other harmful things that they used for fillers. There's more than formaldehyde resin in there! Just my two cents.....

Glazing compound that removes swirl/buffer marks from automotive finishes works great too! It's non-gritty and adds depth as it cleans/shines. One step stuff.
I'm a little late adding to this post, but I've had some really nice results with it.
Plus, some of that added dullness is from dirt/fingerprints/dust combined with tube heat over all those years can really make for a bad appearence.
Some bakelight can also be a painted finish too, and this works just as well on them too.

I have had good luck with Novus Plastic Polish, No. 3. The have been some cases where the radio that I was working on had sat in the sun for many years and polishing did not help.

As to melting Bakelite, it has been my undertanding that Bakelite will not melt, only burn, if heated.

For Bakelite that has been painted originally (as many late 1940s radios were), I have had luck fixing these using plastic repair compounds.

Here is the website of a person who sells videos on wood/bakelite radio restoration.

http://bretsoldradios.com/