How To Repair Brown Bakelite

With some of the bakelite parts becoming quite rare especially fuse boxes and accessories, repairing is becoming an important consideration.

The following is offered on how to repair damaged and cleaved bakelite parts. Materials required are shown below. The P Type spare plug holder is a repro that has been colour matched and bakelite appearance finished. See items for sale. I have repaired dark-brown bakelite using this method, items now either on my auto or sold such every bit a CJR2 fusebox and cover. Modest repairs when washed correctly are very difficult to spot, and the repair at least every bit strong every bit the original textile.

Best wishes.
Donald McLeod
PB0759

one. Clean item thoroughly in soapy water using a soft cloth
two. Mask off surface area to inside virtually 5mm of expanse to exist repaired
2. Fix damaged surfaces with precision grinder, V aqueduct for a scissure (like preparing for a tooth filling)
3. Plumage sand 5mm either side of damaged area with P800 grit SiC abrasive (wet and dry).
4. Clean area to be repaired with wax and grease remover
five. Hold piece square for joining (clench/brace)
half dozen. Make mould around area to me filled with masking record and/or bluish tak or similar
7. Mix 24 hour araldite, precolour with a drib of enamel paint
viii. Carefully fill in area to be repaired. Difficult joins may need several applications to complete. Avert overfilling or dripping.
ix. Cake back cured repair with P800 Due west&D.
10.Remove masking record.
eleven.Pigment repaired surface area and overlap on to unrepaired area about 3 mm with colour matched cellulose dope. To friction match MG bakelite brown will need red, bluish, articulate, black and yellowish dope, and talcum powder for the semi gloss issue. To proceeds a slight cloudiness issue, tin can be accomplished by increasing humidity during application and drying.
12. Cellulose dope application best done in low humidity, warm surroundings about 22 degrees.
13. Cellulose dope awarding does not require sanding between coats, the dope dissolves in to itself. When applying, ensure dope has not dried too far, and go over each area but once per coat using with a skilful brush.
fourteen. Allow to dry, can be recoated quite soon between coats depending on how good you are at painting with dope.
15. Mask off area repaired. Buff paint downwardly with P800, and so P1000 and then P1200 W&D until seam nigh invisible.
16. Clean whole unit of measurement, and lightly smoothen.
The dope finish is resistant to chipping, and has a texture and advent very close to that of bakelite.