How to polish bakelite bangles
*Warning* Polishing bakelite is highly addictive. Do not continue unless you want to spend hours in antique shops scouring for yellowed bangles just to polish off the patina and see what color is underneath. You also may annoy your friends by constantly showing them before and after pictures. They will not fully understand.
Ok. Think of polishing bakelite like polishing silver. Over time a patina covers the surface, changing the outer color. Most dealers don't polish bakelite before selling, so you'll often see colors like yellow, green, blue, red, and black. Generally dark, with the real color hiding underneath. It's not always the case, reds are usually just red, but often, if you look on the inner rim of the bangle, you can see a hint of the original color (see below photo).
You will need
Smooth surface bakelite bangle
400 grit sandpaper
1000 grit sandpaper
Metal cleaner or polishing wheel
Clean cloths
Rubber gloves
Tear off a piece of 400 grit sandpaper. Sand the inside of the bangle. This is a test spot to see if the color underneath is different from the patina. If you sand an area down and it's the same color as before, then no harm done.
If the patina sands off and reveals a different color start on the outside. Sand down thoroughly with more pieces of paper so none of the patina is left.
Smooth over with the 1000 grit sandpaper.
With rubber gloves on, take a clean rag and deposit metal cleaner on it. Rub on bangle. Let dry for about 3 minutes, and repeat. After a few layers wash off with water and dry. Repeat about a dozen times. When it looks shiny enough, rub with a dry cloth.
Alternatively you can omit the metal polish step and shine with a buffing wheel, this will get them really shiny! Just hold on tight, if it flies away it may shatter!
Don't
Polish faceted pieces.
Polish carved pieces unless you have experience and a lot of patience.
If you polish these pieces it wares down the design!
Here are some of the other bangles I've polished. It's amazing what a variety can come from relatively similar shades of green. I've even seen a green polish down to pink!
This method learned from Julie of Fab Gabs, though as she has informed me, there are many varied techniques.
You can read the comments for more viewpoints on this, but I feel as though the information I've provided is a basic tutorial, and you can take it in any direction and take as many precautions as you like.
35 comments:
wow! that's just amazing how colors change. I can see how addicting they can be. I must try! thank you for sharing this tip!!
this is so cool! thank you for posting this, just what i needed. Kind of intresting what colors they turn out to be huh?
Beth
I would caution people to polish at their own risk, as in the eyes of many collectors, this devalues the piece because the patina and oxidation IS what many people value.
Interesting idea though - I've never seen anyone demonstrate/write about this before since it's so taboo.
I'm curious as to where you learnt this. I usually love your tutorials but...I had never heard of this, and did a bit of internet hunting on it. It doesn't appear to be a very good idea. Most people say it reoxidizes within months, and if you do this often enough...it will wreck the jewelry. http://www.flickr.com/photos/galessa/2047945766/
There also seems to be quite a bit of difference in sanding catalin (which is actually what most "bakelite" jewelry is I believe) and sanding real bakelite (like radios and such). If one were to apply this method to something else "bakelite" like an old radio, it would wreck it by sanding down the shiny outer layer to the 'pulp' which can't be reshined.
It's a cool idea...but maybe not the best one? Patina usually adds value to things but stripping it away reduces value.
It's kind of been a word of mouth technique in the vintage world, for polishing bangles. Since most vintage wearers I know are about preserving as much of an items original condition as possible, I've never heard of it being an issue. Some collectors might prefer the patina, but when it comes to my jewelry...well I really don't care what collectors think...I love bringing the original colors out, the same shades of green and yellow get a little boring after seeing them for the 1,000 time. So for me, and probably many other bangle wearers, it's a valuable thing to know.
If I may be so bold - I think I passed it on to Solanah. I got it from a very dear friend whose husband developed this specific technique without outside assistance from the vintage world. But others have developed similar techniques, all over the country. I've heard a number of variations on it.
I might note, although it is probably obvious, that the technique would not be good for carved or faceted bangles, as the sanding wears the edges down.
Yes, thank you Julie!
How interesting! This whole series has re-invigorated my interest in vintage jewellery. I love that there's this secret hidden away inside, just waiting to be found! x
While I agree that I love the vintage aged colors and would never touch my blue moon or red bangles I did just spend the last hour sanding down a dull beige green bangle to discover its original light blue marbled color.
I wasn't wearing it in its aged color so I figured what the heck! Thanks for the push, I've buffed dull bangles before but hadn't sanded the heck out of one.
Off tomorrow to pick up some polish!
This is great! I honestly could not believe it when I first saw the difference in colour!
Another great tutorial. Thanks so much Solanah!
This is a great tip. I also use simichrome polish.
This is SO great! I'm going to try it today. Can't wait to see what lovely colors are hiding underneath. Thank you so much for sharing! I was looking for some info on this weeks ago but couldn't find anything. You're awesome!!
I remember you telling me about this. So amazing to see the difference! I got my first bakelite bangles yesterday at a thrift store. I was rubbing and smelling them right in front of the sales lady. Such an awkward moment!
What a lovely post Solanah! Thanks!
Thanks so much for posting this how to. Now if I ever can find any of these I can do all of this. There is no hope for that where I live so I shop on Etsy and they are NOT cheap on there so I have yet to buy one. I love that orange one and the colors you are using all go so well together.
Okay, doll, you have just blown my mind!
Fascinating post, thanks solanah! If we all thought the same it would be a boring world indeed! I prefer to keep my bakelite in its original state- seeing what time has done to it is what I like the most. So for me its oxidation every time- even if that means the same shade of green. Thanks again- it was very interesting to see!
wow what a difference a bit of polish makes!
Daisy Dayz
Cross-Jones-Photography
What an interesting post! I just got my first Bakelite, and a test sanding reveals that the original color was bright green... so I may have to do this :)
Wow these look amazing, I never knew you could do this! Great tutorial! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk/
I had no idea!!! I will be inspecting bangles for other possible colours lying hidden below from now on.
Thanks!
Wow. Just got my first set but they seem to be a little more translucent than yours so maybe they aren't bakelite. I'd be so nervous taking sandpaper ot them.
That's amazing! I had no idea it could change color so dramatically. Thanks for the post :)
I love your blog very much, but please, PLEASE, stop stripping your bakelite! This is a huge mistake. I collect and deal in bakelite and can tell you first hand that this devalues your collection significantly. I'm not saying it's a bad idea to clean up and polish your bakelite, but the patina is a large part of the charm of these pieces. I know you aren't looking to put any of your jewelry on the market, but if you would, not only would they be worth much less, but the sanded and polished pieces would be more difficult to authenticate with all of the fakelite jewelry and contemporary bakelite being made today. In addition, collectors do not want something that has been scratched with sandpaper! It is as bad as the hot pin test. This method is not revealing an original state, rather it is damaging the form. Sorry to sound harsh, and thank you for all of the wonderful information you always have in your blog. Just want to make sure that people know both pros and cons of doing this! xox
As I said before, these are my pieces of jewelry, and I will do what makes me happy, not keep them a certain way to make others happy. I'm not saying you have to polish your bakelite, I think everyone is intelligent enough to make their own decisions. It's the same as someone telling me "Stop washing your vintage clothing, that yellowing is where the value and history is". Thanks, but this is what I like, and other people were interested in knowing how to do it as well. I have no intention of selling my collection, and no desire to impress collectors. For the people I know who collect bakelite to wear on a regular basis, a heavy patina devalues the item. It's all opinion.
You are absolutely right! Who cares what others think! Collect what makes you happy not what has a high resale value. To you each item is priceless in its own right and that’s all that matters.
I couldn't believe that the before and after pictures were the same piece - very interesting. I also enjoyed reading the opinions on the comments.
Thanks, these tips should also work on Bakelite Telephones. I will give them a try on one of my old Bakelite phones and let you know how it goes :-)
Please be aware that items made with Bakelite, including jewelry, contain asbestos fibers which give the plastics their heat-resistant properties and made them popular for use in a wide variety of household items. While Bakelite is generally safe to be around unless it has suffered a crack or some other damage, there is the very real possibility that you could expose yourselves to these harmful fibers if you choose to sand your jewelry. I work at a law firm that specializes in mesothelioma and asbestosis related cases and I can tell you first hand that the lung damage many of our clients suffer by exposure to asbestos fibers is extremely painful and life-threatening. If you are still inclined to sand your jewelry, please wear a face mask and do your sanding in a well-ventilated area to reduce your exposure!
That's actually something that's never been a concern to me. Some (some, not all) bakelite has very, very small amounts, and unless you're sanding down all day with your nose on the bangle, inhaling dust is really up to a persons own sensitivities. Most of the time the dust doesn't leave the surface, and gets wiped away, but a mask can of course be worn, or the sandpaper dampened as mentioned previously. I trust that people can judge their own conditions or sensitive noses when sanding something small, just like anything else, but if a serious medical issue was a risk I would be sure to address that. That being said I've pointed readers to the comments section so they can read the varied viewpoints brought up.
While I find the idea of sanding down bakelite to be positively horrifying, they are yours to do with as you choose. I like the patina, and IMO the sanded down pieces now look like lucite to me. I have also never heard of a piece being devalued due to its patina. I also agree that the piece will return to its patina'd state in no time, as that is what bakelite does: it changes color.
While I do not agree with the sanding down of bakelite, this is a very interesting post about something I have never heard of before, and it is interesting to see what lies beneath. I much prefer the aged look though, because as I said before, the sanded down pieces look like lucite now, and IMO lucite looks cheap.
I sanded the pink one down about a year ago, and it looks the same as ever...I'm not sure where people get that info from, but ok...
DON'T DO THIS ON TELEPHONES! :( The plastic these bracelets are made of it NOT THE SAME as radios and telephones and industrial "bakelite". Industrial use bakelite has a filler in it. If you shine down the shiny surface too far, it will reach the filler and ruin the piece. You won't be able to get the shine back. The shine is created where the plastic meets the heat of the mold and a certain part of the mixture settles against it.
Please do your research before proceeding to do this to your own items/items other than what Solanah mentions in the post!
Bakelite with it's own patina looks unusual & unique and it's what draws me and other collectors in. No other jewelry comes in those weird colours. I agree with Temp. Blonde that the after-effect just looks like lucite or any other plastic. Nothing special looking about it at all.. Not saying don't do it, but I feel like if I wanted some plain coloured bangles I could just get some normal ones, if ya know what I mean.
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