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MG MGA - polishing the small parts

Reading one of the posts, there was talk about polishing the light switch knob. I have been thinking of using a brass polisher, such as is used for bullet reloading, for a lot of the small parts on my car. Has anybody used one of these for bakelite, and how well does it work?
mike parker

I used a polishing wheel with green and white polish bars. The knobs look great but still have that old time look. I used model paint in white to paint the letters. I then put on a clear coat of lacquer.
JEFF BECKER

Mike:

As a chemist, I would not recommend using brass polish on bakelite/phenolic. Aside from the fine abrasive, brass polish is acidic to help dissolve the metal oxidation (patina). The phenolic will initally withstand the acid, but if you don't remove it all (the surface of the knobs is somewhat porous on a microscopic scale)it will concentrate as it dries out leading to accelerated degradation of both the knob and any paint you might use to restore the finish.

General mechanical polishing with fine abrasive/polishing compounds lubricated with water or water-solubile polishing extenders on a polishing wheel (like Jeff recommends) or with a Dremel tool would be the best way to remove the dull oxidized layer on the knobs. If you want to coat them, DuPont Chroma HC (polyurethane based) clear coat is probably the most durable.

Steve
Steve Brandt

I looked at some of my old bakelite knob and most of them were pretty badly pitted--causing the dullness. You'd have to use a very mild abrasive to tumble them--maybe a mix of sawdust and crushed walnut shell. (A friend uses that mix to clean up old Lionel train track without damaging the cardboard insulators...does a pretty good job btw.) I used a polishing wheel and some jewler's rouge to restore the luster to my horn button. Worked OK but be mindful of heat buildup. Bakelite doesn't melt, but the heat will make it brittle.
R. L Carleen

Hi All

I recently used Kleen Green and a toothbrush on my midget's gearknob and screen wash knob, and it did a great job of bringing the white paint back to life. As a '62 model, my car is almost brand new compared to most of your A's, but as far as I know it was 42 years of grime and crud that I had to clean away.

Only problem was the Kleen Green made my toothbrush taste really strange for the next few brushings.

James
James Reinhardt

James - "Only problem was the Kleen Green made my toothbrush taste really strange for the next few brushings." Wait till you try brushing your teeth after using the brush to get chrome polish into the tight corners ;) Chers - Dave

David DuBois

Steve,
I was not thinking of any liquid brass cleaner, more a tumbler as RL mentioned. I am thinking of making one out of a 3 or 5 gallon bucket and a small motor. I figure that it will work well enough for the aluminum, small chrome pieces, etc. but thought bakelite would clean up pretty well too. I just don't want to erode or scratch the bakelite.
mike parker

Something I have found effective is an old rock tumbler, the type used for polishing gem stones. Can be used wet or dry with various abrasives.
Regards,
GTF
G T Foster

GT,
This is what I am asking about. What items do you use it on? I am thinking of either corn starch, walnut hulls, or some other polishing compound.
mike parker

Mike
Try baking soda on news paper with a little watter. A tumbler will round the any corners butif you must, try a soft media to finish like crushed corn cobs. Mark
MLS Somers

This thread was discussed between 15/12/2004 and 24/12/2004

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