Cleaning rubber and bakelite

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chaynes12
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Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by chaynes12 »

What is best to use to clean and shine rubber or Bakelite side plates?
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Ron Mc
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Ron Mc »

two very different animals.

Ebonite (hard rubber) has very limited cross linking (vulcanizing) and most of that on the outside surface will be oxidized, so any kind of liquid cleaning will remove carbon black and turn the surface to a leathery color.
Best approach is mechanical polishing. I use "Miracle polishing cloth" with slow, and acceptable results.
Image Image
faster results can be had with polishing pastes and rouges.
Boeshield is safe to spray on this stuff.


Bakelite is highly cross-linked and will not soften or change color in solvents. Sprays, alcohol, vinegar bath - all give good results.
chaynes12
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by chaynes12 »

Thanks for the excellent info.
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Kelly L
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Kelly L »

I cleaned my bakelite reel handle with alcohol, Magic Eraser, then I used Armor-All. It didn't look new, but it looked a lot better.
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Kelly L
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Kelly L »

Before:
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After:
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john elder
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by john elder »

a couple keepers! Nice job, both of you!
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Ron Mc
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Ron Mc »

thanks
Cyrus gave a really nice example on Clark's board of using only Boeshield to clean hard rubber
http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/vie ... ead#unread
chaynes12
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by chaynes12 »

Kelly, what did you use to clean the cork grip?
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Kelly L
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Kelly L »

For this one I used 1200 grit sandpaper. Then I followed up with Magic Eraser. I usually don't need to use the sandpaper, but this cork was in worse shape than the photos showed. Now I try to start with the Magic Eraser, and see if that does the job first. When I am done with cleaning cork, I follow up with U-40 Cork Seal.
chaynes12
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by chaynes12 »

Thanks for the great info
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Kelly L
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Kelly L »

You are welcome. Remember, if you use the sandpaper, go very LIGHTLY with it.
Don Champion
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Don Champion »

First try Dawn dishwasher detergent under running warm water and use a soft tooth brush. You will be amazed at the results.
RAM
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by RAM »

Simichrome polish (paste) from any Harley shop works great on both hard rubber and most any metal. Best polish I have yet found. Good for hogs, good for old reels! Did I miss this above somewhere? Losing it!

PS: Even works fine on grungy wood lures-if you deign to collect such things.
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by keebranch »

Kelly L wrote:Before:
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Kelly,
That looks fantastic- I really like the blue bakelite insert. Have found a reel to match or compliment the blue?

Les
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Kelly L
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Kelly L »

I have a Pflueger Gem, and I have an Airex Ablette reel...they compliment it alright. The Airex is grayish...and the Gem is black. Thanks Les. I love that rod. I think it looks really good now, but it was way more work than I thought it would be...rotfl.
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john elder
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by john elder »

Which montague is that, kelly? Sunbeam? Flash? I can't recall which had the blue insert.
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Kelly L
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by Kelly L »

This is the Clipper. The Flash is similar, but a different color. I like the casting of the Clipper, better than the Flash.
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gadabout
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Re: Cleaning rubber and bakelite

Post by gadabout »

I usually clean Bakelite reels with Simple Green. After cleaning, I apply some lube to the Bakelite and wipe it off. I don't know if it's my imagination or what, but it seems to rejuvenate the surface. I usually use whatever i've been lubing the reels with.
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