how do i renovate old bakelite tiles?
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 at
2:34 am
we’ve moved into a 1930s flat with those old bakelite tiles, i think they’re caller marley tiles. does anyone know a good way to get paint off them, and how to get them looking shiney and new again.
cheers!
Rent Back Fast
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Tagged with: Cheers • Paint • Tiles
Filed under: flat renovation
The one thing you do not want to do is use any harsh or abrasive cleanser on them. If they are real bakelite then they can lose their gloss and can be ruined. First try a bit of liquid laundry soap and warm water on a terry washcloth or small towel and dab or blot it on the spots. As the warm water and soap sit on the paint it will soften enough to scrape off with your fingernail or a popsicle stick. Always try any cleaning on a tile that is not seen readily, like under the sink if available, to insure that the finish does not get damaged. I have never known tiles to be made of bakelite but plastic was used extensively up to the 1970’s and it can be cleaned with mineral spirits if necessary. If the soap and water do not work try mineral spirits, (also known as paint thinner and/or turpentine) on a small area of the tiles. You can try the fingernail scraping method first and some of the paint may come off straight away if it is latex and not too thick. If you get all the paint off you can shine them with carnuba wax, but try the wax on a hidden tile to make sure it does not have a reaction with bakelite. Best of luck.