The AM Forum

OK, so you done used some cleaner on that bakelite bezel or knob and now it's dull and lifeless.  Here's a method that's worked well for me.  It puts a pretty decent shine back on, but isn't quite to new.

Get some Brasso or Simichrome (metal polishes with very fine abrasive suspended in a petroleum/wax fluid or paste).  If you're dealing with knobs, take an old volume control, cut the shaft off, and attach the knob to the end.  Make sure you tighten the set screws, then chuck the whole thing in a drill press.  Wet a rag with the polish, and polish the flat portions of the knob, the skirt, etc.  Flutes and knurls will tend to build up the polish so do this by hand.

For escutcheons, bezels, etc., use the same type of polish, but use plenty of elbow grease.  A bench buffer sometimes works nicely for this but be careful that it doesn't catch on the wheel - that'll wreck the part in short order.

If the bezel has scratches, sand it down with wet 400/800/1000 grit progressively on a sanding block.  Then polish using the above compounds.