Switch cover restoration

[Hoghead]

I googled Bakelite restoration and Mrs Hoghead supplied the elbow grease

 

[michael-king]

The other resto trick was indian ink iirc

 

[michael-king]

Side note Robert.. Id call the thread stwering cowl restoration or clam shell

 

[HolyCat]

Many years ago, I bought some plastic rouge (polish). Used it with a buffing wheel on an electric drill mounted to my workbench and really did a great job on the various lenses on my car. I did not think to try it on what Rootes calls the upper and lower cowl. Would definitely want something that is not too aggressive. Always a good idea to test in an area normally not visible.

 

[Warren]

Bakelite was used on the shift knob and other places. If it looks too good it's plastic. I'd love to ding a car in concourse stock judging for a plastic shift knob etc.
I have used rubbing compound black shoe polish etc. I guess it all depends upon how bad yours is you could start with 220 or 320 to get the oxidation off then work your way up.

 

[Hoghead]

Bakelite was used on the shift knob and other places. If it looks too good it's plastic. I'd love to ding a car in concourse stock judging for a plastic shift knob etc.
I have used rubbing compound black shoe polish etc. I guess it all depends upon how bad yours is you could start with 220 or 320 to get the oxidation off then work your way up.

I think that you can easily buff through the top layer of the Bakelite, into the porous interior layer. Hence Brasso and elbow grease rather than a buffing wheel