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MG TD TF 1500 - Cleaning Plastic?

What is the best way to clean grime and dirt off of the voltage regulator cover? Should I use a household cleaner to breakdown the dirt? Then what should I use to bring back the luster? Thank you.
L Staller

I use a paint cleaner/polish: Commandant 4.
http://www.commandant.nl/commandant4.htm.

Any paint polish should bring back the shine.
Willem van der Veer

I know it sounds bizarre, but once it's clean you can use black shoe polish to get a really nice finish on black Bakelite.
Kevin McLemore

Clean with mineral spirits (varsol) let it dry completely. It should look dark brownish when done. Then just buff the cover either by machine or hand. polishing compounds are not necessary, but can be used if you like.
C.R. Tyrell

Kevin -

I had to try it when I read your post. I cleaned the voltage regulator cover on my TF with Meguiar's PlastX to remove the brown oxidation. Then waxed it with Kiwi black shoe wax. Wow. Looks great.

The black show wax was especially useful on the base of the regulator. I didn't want to remove it to clean, so I just wiped-on / wiped-off some black shoe wax. Looks as good as the cover.

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211

LM Cook

Glad it worked for you, Lonnie. I've been restoring cars for over 45 years now (indeed, I used to own a restoration business), so I've acquired many little tricks and useful shortcuts over the years... nice to be able to share them.
Kevin McLemore

http://www.pensburymanor.com/pensburymanor/Pensbury_Garage.html

I have a bottle of Great Knobs but haven't tried it yet but will soon on the bakelite knobs for the dash.
Frank Cronin

Well I tried the suggestions and found that there was way too much dirt, grease and crud buildup on the voltage regulator cover for various types of cleaners to remove it. So I cleaned off what I could then used 2000 grit wet sandpaper to remove what crud remained. I then applied some black shoe polish, let it dry then buffed it with a soft cloth. Remarkably the cover looks great! There is a big difference!(I tried to download a photo but it is too large.)Thanks for all your input!
L Staller

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2014 and 29/07/2014

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