Preserving Bakelite

[EricS]

Hi All, can anyone give me some guidance as to the best way of preserving Bakelite, i.e. cleaning, etc. Up until now I generally give it a rub with a cloth with some gun oil but I'm not sure if this will make it more brittle in the long run?
Thanks in advance.

[MGN]

Intersting Question, I just clean it with a semi-wet piece of cloth, dont put anything on it, and keep it away from sun light and heat, that should keep it just fine.

Michael

[EricS]

Intersting Question, I just clean it with a semi-wet piece of cloth, dont put anything on it, and keep it away from sun light and heat, that should keep it just fine.

Michael

Thanks Michael - the Bakelite pieces I have are mostly firearms furniture and are stored away from light and heat. I was just wondering if giving them an occasional wipe with a small bit of oil on the cloth would cause any long term damage. Hopefully not. Thanks for the advice.
Eric

[Theodor]

I don't think that oil would damage bakelite, especially bakelite parts on weapons. Many weapons well oiled for more than half century show no damage to the bakelite. My 5c

[EricS]

I don't think that oil would damage bakelite, especially bakelite parts on weapons. Many weapons well oiled for more than half century show no damage to the bakelite. My 5c

Good point, my mind is somewhat more at ease. Thanks.
Eric

[Seigfried]

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[derspiess63]

I don't think that oil would damage bakelite, especially bakelite parts on weapons. Many weapons well oiled for more than half century show no damage to the bakelite. My 5c

Theo.........you inflate your thoughts....it's 2cents/2pence usually !
Nice point professor......imho gun oil shouldn't do bakelite no harm,and spraying WD40 on a rag and rub it on the part should be helpful instead!
My 567786765434324543455665$$$$
Manny

[Paul R.]

Preserving Bakelite

A very good friend of mine has work in several museums through the world as and artifact conservator.(he has a chemical background as well). He has seen the effects of silicone (sillycone has he calls it) on all types of items. He claims it is the WORST lubricant to put on any thing. The silicone attracts moisture over a short time, and leaves a film of electric charged dirt on top of an item. That dirt will collect moisture on top and below the silicone layer. The end result is rusting/or a break down of plastic through a chemical reaction. I would wipe them off with plain distilled or filtered water. Paul

[John Hodgin]

Perhaps the best thing for bakelite would be a pure, non petrol based wax. But bakelite seems to hold up well on it's own......unlike the lenses of many gas masks

[Jean-Loup]

As far as I know, concerning WW2 material, Bakelite is one of the most resistant items around, second only to fayence/glass (or whatever a plate is made out of). When found in the ground 60 years after the war, it is usualy still in mint condition, or close. I doubt any oil would damage it.
JL

[AndyD]

I was once watching an antiques programme on TV,and the expert was asked what the best product was to clean bakelite,the answer was Brasso metal polish,either the liquid form,or the wadding impregnated with it.

Simply wipe over the item,and when it's dry(it dries white),buff clean with a clean cloth.

Hope this helps!

Kind regards,
Andy

[Theodor]

Yo, Manny, don't ya use Euro, man? It used to be 2 c, but since the Euro is stronger, it's 5 c