intv1980
Active member
Hello, My recently saved 150 has been sitting outside of a vacuum shop for 30 years or so, and the hood has been baked to a crisp by the Arizona heat. How can I bring the shine back to the bakelite? Thanks, W.G.
Hoover 150 Bakelite hood restoration
- Thread starter intv1980
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truckerx
New member
150 hood.....
Don't think I've ever encountered a severely sun-baked bakelite hood. This could be a one-of-a-kind challenge. A standard recommendation many club members rely on is to try giving it a good rub-down with Brasso. A light sanding with a very fine grit wet sandpaper is another method I've used with success. Normally, Brasso will make bakelite gleam.
Last resort, look for a junk 150 with a good hood. Let us know how you progress.
Don't think I've ever encountered a severely sun-baked bakelite hood. This could be a one-of-a-kind challenge. A standard recommendation many club members rely on is to try giving it a good rub-down with Brasso. A light sanding with a very fine grit wet sandpaper is another method I've used with success. Normally, Brasso will make bakelite gleam.
Last resort, look for a junk 150 with a good hood. Let us know how you progress.
athanasius80
Active member
Be very careful with polishing Bakelite. (The antique radio collectors get into fits over this topic.) It is very possible to polish through the hard surface and get into porous substrate that will not polish to a shine. If I were you, I would use a plastic cleaner to get the Bakelite clean, use a plastic polish sparingly, and then use a nice automotive wax. The wax will restore some shine and depth of color to the Bakelite. (Note, some of the plastic collectors hate this and would consider waxing Bakelite heresy, but this piece is already less than pristine so I don't see how this makes it any worse than it already is.)
Good luck!
Good luck!
truckerx
New member
post some photos......
I think whatever method you prefer to start with - moderation is the key. You certainly would not want to do more damage. Post some photos, because it's hard to visualize what you're talking about.
I think whatever method you prefer to start with - moderation is the key. You certainly would not want to do more damage. Post some photos, because it's hard to visualize what you're talking about.
brandon_w_t
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2009
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- 2,519
I used brasso on one of my 150 hoods. It came out quite shiny. It doesn't remove scratches. But that can ruin the bakelite sometimes. Ill leave them there. They are not too noticeable from a distance.
I have yet to clean the other hood with brasso yet. Its in much better shape. Should be interesting to see how it turns out.
I have yet to clean the other hood with brasso yet. Its in much better shape. Should be interesting to see how it turns out.
truckerx
New member
Oh!...
Thanks for the photos. I'm glad that Brasso worked out for you. I was surprised; I didn't think the hoods looked that bad for being in the sun for 30 years.
Thanks for the photos. I'm glad that Brasso worked out for you. I was surprised; I didn't think the hoods looked that bad for being in the sun for 30 years.
