The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This may just be me being a newbie to the restoration aspect of the hobby, but I found out that flitz, the product we all use to polish the nickel plated parts on our talking machines, is fantastic for cleaning the rusty and grimy paint on a bedplate. I just applied a bit to a soft rag and scrubbed hard and all of the dulled rusty grime came off, and the bedplate shines. Below are the before and after photos as well as some close-ups. I have heard that Meguiar's is the go-to product for paint, but this seems to also work pretty well.

Happy Holidays!

Stephen

Impressive results! Jerry B.

New Life Furniture Masque works really well for cleaning up bedplates as well - and I use Mother’s as a polish to bring the shine back, same concept. Any fine polish does a great job on paint and Bakelite as well.

HisMastersVoice wrote:New Life Furniture Masque works really well for cleaning up bedplates as well - and I use Mother’s as a polish to bring the shine back, same concept. Any fine polish does a great job on paint and Bakelite as well.

I've used New Life Furniture Masque before, and it definitely lives up to its name! I can't believe how well the stuff works for reviving an alligatored finish.

Stephen

Finishing grade, (the finest grade you can get), automotive rubbing compound works very well on dull Edison bed plate finishes**. I apply a bit to a moist rag then rub out the finish. It removes the dead oxide film on the finish surface. You can use it over decals & stripes, but be VERY careful to STOP as soon as the decal/stripe re-appears from under the dirt. Monitor each pass over stripes/decals and be very deliberate about passing over it again. Rinse the compound off when done, then follow up with a good grade of car wax. Stay away from polishes/waxes containing silicone!

**I use this process for black finishes. Maroon finishes may be more delicate. Test and use caution.

BTW, I think Flitz works well due to a very slight abrasive.

FYI, metal polish, like Simicrome, works great on Bakelite.