Is there a good way to clean these 1969 Zenith dials? I tried it once on a 1971 dial, but the retaining ring got mangled and it would not hold the dial against the plastic anymore.

If it's clear plastic that's yellowed, there's not much you can do. Otherwise... soap and water with a toothbrush?

For bulk cleaning we used ammonia & water. Would cut through
almost anything & keep you awake.

73 Zeno:smoke:
LFOD !

The channel plates of every one of those knobs I've ever seen was that color even the mint condition ones....I'm fairly sure they are meant to be that yellow color.

The channel plates of every one of those knobs I've ever seen was that color even the mint condition ones....I'm fairly sure they are meant to be that yellow color.

Zeniths of the mid 60s on tended to have gold-tinted metal knobs from new. I think the tinted dial plastic is no exception, your banana-handle version looks more amber than gold, i.e. too much red tint.

I have a few and may try some hydrogen peroxide on the outside-facing part only. If that is a surface layer of yellowed material, it may help.

IIRC the dial numbers were somewhere between yellow & red.
Non spotlite dials had black numbers on silver. The fine tune
knob was CLEAR. Gold was often used also but I think not
on this one. If the FT knob is yellowed its prob from UV light
& not repairable.....

73 Zeno:smoke:
LFOD !