Home Forums Electronics Restoration Trouble removing paint off bakelite radio

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  • #13618
    rudedaddy
    CVRS Member

    I have a 1939 white Marconi 5 tube table top radio Model 180. I need to remove the white paint on the bakelite because it has worn in places and splotchy. I have tried several brands of paint stripper with very little success .Did they at that time use a different type of paint ? This would be the last step in restoring this radio to it’s former state . Does any one out there run into this type of situation ?.

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    #13620
    garykuster
    CVRS Member

    Haven’t run into that particular situation, but another hobby is restoring classic cars. I use Aircraft stripper and it will remove anything. Rustoleum makes it in a smaller (non 747) size

    #13632
    rudedaddy
    CVRS Member

    I heard easy off does remove paint too , but I will see if I can find the Rustoleum product …
    I have tried leaving this radio cabinet in a stripper bath for more than 24 hours and nothing happenned …. I have not run into any thing like this before either…..

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    #13634
    rudedaddy
    CVRS Member

    I can’t find this stuff any where …. discontinued looks like in Canada

    #13635
    garykuster
    CVRS Member

    That would be a drag. I bought it in the larger 5 gallon sizes when I was living in Vancouver. Haven’t shopped for it in Montreal. Due to it’s corrosive nature, I doubt you could order it online.

    #13643
    rudedaddy
    CVRS Member

    I found this product in a 4 liter size from “Grainger Canada Supply ” on line with taxes and delivery $109.59 way too much I wanted to spend but may come in handy in the future … I just hope this stuff works ….I’m getting tired of trying chemicals that don’t work well …..

    #13644
    garykuster
    CVRS Member

    That sounds like a lifetime supply. If it’s anything like Aircraft stripper, make sure you do it outside as the fumes are crazy strong. Rubber gloves and safety glasses in order.

    #13751
    rudedaddy
    CVRS Member

    Up date …… used the aircraft stripper ……. same results as other paint strippers ……. nothing seems to work on removing the paint from this radio ….
    My method was to put a good gob of the stuff on the cabinet , cover it with plastic film , wait 10-15 minutes , then check the progress …. nothing much changed , no rippling of the paint ….just the plastic film showed some change ….. I can only say that the surface paint they used at this time 1939 , was not paint …..I am so frustrated now….

    #13754
    garykuster
    CVRS Member

    This boggles the mind. I have never seen any paint factory applied or otherwise stand up to Aircraft stripper. I would have to think that it isn’t paint in the conventional sense. Perhaps it’s some kind of Porcelain based paint. I have stripped a 1957 Mercedes that had been painted twice on top of the original paint to bare steel without trouble.

    #13779
    rudedaddy
    CVRS Member

    Well , I have now I’ m using a aircraft stripper 24 hour bath , ( one side at a time ) very slow going but some is comming off , not a lot though …. I know this chemical stuff is strong , it smells bad and burns flesh…… I agree with you , they must have used some sort of different combination paint at that time for this model …… I am so close in finishing this project , it if frustrating ….

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    #13781
    garykuster
    CVRS Member

    It looks like you’re a lot closer now anyways. Try giving the White parts a light sand to give the stripper more to hold on to. I remember well the burning sensation when it gets on your forearms!
    You run to the sink or get a wet rag pretty quickly!

    #13783
    Sterling Spurrell
    Forum Participant

    Gary did you ever try the aircraft stripper on wood?

    #13784
    garykuster
    CVRS Member

    I can’t say I have, but it would surely work. The issue is how well the wood would survive. If you can get a small amount (not easy) and test it on some scrap wood, you could find out. It’s very serious stuff. Somewhere I have a pic of the 1957 Benz stripped to bare metal.

    #13828
    Sterling Spurrell
    Forum Participant

    Thanks Gary but not sure how easy it will be to find.

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