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3/3/2013 10:35:55 AM EDT
I just got my bakelite grip i ordered and it has a line going around it. I am just wondering if this is normal or has anyone seen it before. Just wanted to get yalls opinion.
thanks

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b496/Nick_Dorman/IMG_0659_zpse1c5a4ea.jpg
http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b496/Nick_Dorman/IMG_0657_zps6c47abbf.jpg
http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b496/Nick_Dorman/IMG_0658_zps0ef79f11.jpg
3/3/2013 10:40:46 AM EDT
[#1]
Looks like someone tried to sand the higher half of the seam down.
3/3/2013 11:04:46 AM EDT
[#2]
It's common, although they aren't always as pronounced as that.
3/3/2013 11:29:42 AM EDT
[#3]
I have a couple of Polish grips and none of them look like that.
That one is pretty rough. And it appears the original moulding needed that work.

Look around on the antique radio forums and you'll find the advice to polish with Brasso and then either wax or apply a product called Glayzit.

http://www.radiodaze.com/product/1007.aspx

The thermosetting phenolic resin invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 is patented and referred to as "Bakelite", which is it's trademarked trade name.
Bakelite is a proper noun and it is always capitalized in writing, just so you know.
Words like plastic, phenolic, polymer, resin, etc. are common nouns and as such don't need to be.
3/3/2013 11:36:39 AM EDT
[#4]
Probably the best advice you'll find online: http://www.radiolaguy.com/info/clean-shine.htm




Bakelite is another matter, Catalin is a thermoset resin that is cold poured into moulds and baked at a low temperature and hand finished when cured. Bakelite although it consists of the same raw materials but has a filler of sawdust, asbestos or other fibrous material. When manufactured, it is heated and injected into steel molds at high temperature and great pressure. This process results in the high gloss finish that collects on the outer surface of the Bakelite case. This finish however is very thin and can be dissolved with alkali and ammoniated cleaners. It can also be rubbed away with polishing, so care must be taken to preserve the finish as once it is gone it cannot be restored to it's original gloss. If the case is waxy and greasy you can clean it with paint thinner or cigarette lighter fluid. DON'T USE ALCOHOL!

I first clean Bakelite with a non alkali, non ammoniated cleaner like "Earth Wise" dishwashing liquid, it's a biodegradable with no alkali's or ammonia. After it is cleaned I use a product called "Magnolia Glayzit" is a polish originally designed to polish Bakelite telephones, I can also supply this product.

If a Bakelite finish is hopelessly dulled or has been completely destroyed, the only remaining hope is to go over it with a high speed cloth buffing wheel loaded with a polish designed to use with  a cloth buffing wheel. BEFORE USING A HIGH SPEED BUFFING WHEEL, BE SURE THE MATERIAL IS BAKELITE, CATALIN, UREA or PLASKON!   Some radio cabinets are made of other soft plastics which WILL MELT when buffed with a high speed buffing wheel! If you don't know for sure what type of plastic you have, test first on an inside area where any damage will not show. The high speed buffing will bring back some of the luster but never to it's original gloss. After buffing, use  "Magnolia Glayzit". NEVER USE SANDPAPER ON BAKELITE!
3/3/2013 11:42:57 AM EDT
[#5]
Thats normal, i have one like that. After they were removed from the mold the excess was ground off leaving them looking like that.
3/3/2013 8:02:31 PM EDT
[#6]
rnd0003, I've got two Russian grips that look just like yours. ColonelHurtz, I appreciate the polishing tip. I'll have to give that a try.
3/4/2013 6:43:11 AM EDT
[#7]
Thanks for tips.
3/4/2013 7:32:47 AM EDT
[#8]
Oddly enough, the recommendation to apply Avon Skin So Soft to Bakelite to rejuvenate it's gloss also pops up frequently.
Still, I'd apply a wax or silicone wax of some sort instead. You'd probably get good results with Pledge.
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