Polishing metal & Bakelite.

ChristopherCoy · Apr 17, 2012

I've received all 5 of the Brownie Hawkeyes that I purchased last week.

I'm going to try and restore the two favorites, but one is extremely dirty. I can take it apart just fine, I know where I need to lube with bike chain oil, but I don't know about polishing the Bakelite or metal.

I purchased a Dremel 12pc polishing kit with various small brushes, pads, and polishing medium to complete the task. But I have a few questions...

- are there any finishes on the metal faceplate that I should be worried about removing by excessive polishing?
- what's the best way to remove rust from the faceplate and metal lock before polishing?
- how in the hell do you polish bakelite? I've heard about light abrasives like soft scrub or toothpaste or brasso, and then I've heard that those are terrible for polishing because it scratches the plastic. Suggestions?

Any help is appreciated!

semi-ambivalent · Apr 17, 2012

ChristopherCoy said:
I've received all 5 of the Brownie Hawkeyes that I purchased last week.

I'm going to try and restore the two favorites, but one is extremely dirty. I can take it apart just fine, I know where I need to lube with bike chain oil, but I don't know about polishing the Bakelite or metal.

I purchased a Dremel 12pc polishing kit with various small brushes, pads, and polishing medium to complete the task. But I have a few questions...

- are there any finishes on the metal faceplate that I should be worried about removing by excessive polishing?
- what's the best way to remove rust from the faceplate and metal lock before polishing?
- how in the hell do you polish bakelite? I've heard about light abrasives like soft scrub or toothpaste or brasso, and then I've heard that those are terrible for polishing because it scratches the plastic. Suggestions?

Any help is appreciated!

I will suggest Simichrome (sp?) It's from Germany and I use it on my bike to spiff up the clear anodized aluminum bits. If you're going to try it on Bakelite I'd find a *very* inconspicuous spot upon which to test. An automotive wax with cleaner might be better (finer) yet, or you could go to your local jeweler and buy some rouge, like they'd use to polish the crystal on your Rolex. Bakelite might be molded with that smoothness; it might be tough to bring that back.

Good luck

s-a

LJH · Apr 17, 2012

I'd avoid doing anything to the Bakelite as it contains asbestos.

nsurit · Apr 17, 2012

I used a slightly damp Scotch-Brite scrub sponge and gently (that means not very hard) scrubbed the bakelite parts that are real dirty. I've also just used a cotton ball and some denatured alcohol. Be careful with the metal name plate as you can scrub the paint off. I had one with a sticky shutter and put a little "3 in one" oil on it, worked it a few times and then soaked it in denatured alcohol. Works like a charm. I've cleaned four of them with great success. I warning, don't drop them as bakelite doesn't bounce. I had one in a padded case that I dropped and it was toast. If you plan to reverse the lens, just remember how it came apart. Bill Barber

Gerald C Koch · Apr 18, 2012

I would remove any grime with a soft cloth and mild soap. That would be as far as I would go. I know that is does not apply to your Hawkeyes as they have little intrinsic value. In case you collect other antiques know that people who attempt to spiffy up these objects usually remove 90% of their value. So if you should buy something like an old Leica be very careful in what you do to it.

John Austin · Apr 18, 2012

Five Hawkeyes makes you sound like a camera collector - So use them all or suffer the opprobrium

I actually like the excessive Toponahgraphic qualities of the Hawkeye dog portrait - And a nice looking dog

John

use them

Steve Smith · Apr 18, 2012

One of the most wonderful places I have ever visited was the Bakelite Museum: http://www.bakelitemuseum.co.uk/

It might be worth sending them an e-mail asking their advice on cleaning.

Steve.

ChristopherCoy · Apr 18, 2012

Grumpy Old Man said:
Five Hawkeyes makes you sound like a camera collector - So use them all or suffer the opprobrium

I actually like the excessive Toponahgraphic qualities of the Hawkeye dog portrait - And a nice looking dog

John

use them

I plan to use them. I've already cleaned one and flipped the lens, and shot a roll of triX with it.

I have to so some kind of restoration to them first however. I'm sure they've sat in a garage for 40 years or more, because some of them look, and smell that way. Thankfully all of the shutter mechanisms work.

DREW WILEY · Apr 18, 2012

There is a very wide selection of rubberized abrasives made for both Dremel and die grinders, avail
in various shapes and grits. Dremel themselves sells only a tiny selection. Go to an industrial dealer
like McMaster.com. These won't leave a mess like polishing compounds.

BobCrowley · Apr 21, 2012

Mother's mag wheel polish works great on Bakelite and other molded or cast phenolics. Bakelite the material is a pressure molded thermoset that was often supplied as a powder containing partly reacted phenol formaldehyde resin and a filler, and often a colorant. The filler is usually talc or wood flour but there might be other materials in there. No matter because the polish does not release anything into the air as it is a thick paste. Hand apply the Mother's paste and work an area with some elbow grease and then wipe it dry. Use a cloth and not a paper towel if you can. You can really make old Bakelite shine like new with it.

Do not apply 401 or other aggressive detergents as this can produce an undesirable matte finish.

http://new55project.blogspot.com

ChristopherCoy · Apr 21, 2012

Thanks!

I used a Dremel tool, and a round fuzzy polishing wheel. I polished the Bakelite with metal polish, then wiped clean. I then applied Mcguires Tech 2.0 auto wax, allowed to dry, then buffed with a terry cloth rag.

It seems to do the trick as the finish is nice and shiny.

LeonManning · Aug 22, 2020

Ussually I polish bakeliteI with Dremel 421. it's very good. It is a very good polish, I recommend. And here is a video on how to use it https://leather-toolkits.com/reviews/best-polishing-compound/

GRHazelton · Aug 22, 2020

nsurit said:
I used a slightly damp Scotch-Brite scrub sponge and gently (that means not very hard) scrubbed the bakelite parts that are real dirty. I've also just used a cotton ball and some denatured alcohol. Be careful with the metal name plate as you can scrub the paint off. I had one with a sticky shutter and put a little "3 in one" oil on it, worked it a few times and then soaked it in denatured alcohol. Works like a charm. I've cleaned four of them with great success. I warning, don't drop them as bakelite doesn't bounce. I had one in a padded case that I dropped and it was toast. If you plan to reverse the lens, just remember how it came apart. Bill Barber

Be careful with the Scotch-Brite scrub sponge. I discovered to my regret that its use has dulled the highly polished stainless steel of our Cuisinart MultiClad cookware.

Billy Axeman · Aug 22, 2020

ChristopherCoy said:
I'm going to try and restore the two favorites, but one is extremely dirty. I can take it apart just fine, I know where I need to lube with bike chain oil, but I don't know about polishing the Bakelite or metal.
.......

Bike chain oil, are you serious?

Billy Axeman · Aug 23, 2020

To follow up on my short remark the following.

The Brownie Hawkeye is not a Leica and probably less critical for the oil applied, but generally when you read the service manuals, and looking up the list of exotic oils and greases that are recommended, then you realize selecting the right lubricants is not a trivial matter. All the parts need their own type of lubricant, with the right viscosity, specified to work in a range of temperatures, and with other properties like purity and resistance to aging.

Here is an online shop I found in my neighborhood that has some specialized oils and greases:

Micro tools Europe | Greases & Oils
https://www.micro-tools.de/en/Greases-Oils/

This is perhaps not a practical address for OP, but it gives an idea what is available.

Polishing metal & Bakelite.

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency