Home › Forums › Electronics Restoration › Trouble removing paint off bakelite radio
- This topic has 13 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 10 months ago by
Sterling Spurrell.
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April 1, 2020 at 6:38 pm #13618
rudedaddy
CVRS MemberI 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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April 1, 2020 at 7:24 pm #13620garykuster
CVRS MemberHaven’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
April 2, 2020 at 6:08 am #13632rudedaddy
CVRS MemberI 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…..Attachments:
April 2, 2020 at 6:51 am #13634rudedaddy
CVRS MemberI can’t find this stuff any where …. discontinued looks like in Canada
April 2, 2020 at 6:55 am #13635garykuster
CVRS MemberThat 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.
April 2, 2020 at 6:55 pm #13643rudedaddy
CVRS MemberI 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 …..
April 2, 2020 at 8:09 pm #13644garykuster
CVRS MemberThat 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.
April 12, 2020 at 12:00 pm #13751rudedaddy
CVRS MemberUp 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….Attachments:
April 12, 2020 at 12:11 pm #13754garykuster
CVRS MemberThis 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.
April 14, 2020 at 1:09 pm #13779rudedaddy
CVRS MemberWell , 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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April 14, 2020 at 3:46 pm #13781garykuster
CVRS MemberIt 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!April 14, 2020 at 5:03 pm #13783Sterling Spurrell
Forum ParticipantGary did you ever try the aircraft stripper on wood?
April 14, 2020 at 5:21 pm #13784garykuster
CVRS MemberI 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.
April 18, 2020 at 1:39 am #13828Sterling Spurrell
Forum ParticipantThanks Gary but not sure how easy it will be to find.
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