Bakelite

[colbs]

I have a 1948 Chrysler Royal and I was wondering if anyone knew where a man could find the bakelite trimming and handle escutcheons or has the dimensions so I could try and 3D print them if need be!

[desoto1939]

if you have an original escuthon plate which is the trim that is behind the door handles then look on Ebay. There are several sellers that state they have these and a set of 6-8 run abut $150

 

Rich

[colbs]

Thanks! I do have some so I'll check ebay! What about the bezel around the starter button and the door trim pieces that go beside the metal trim? Do you know where one can find those?

[joecoozie]

Sent you a PM

[Mezz]

What color is your dash and what pieces do you need?  might have a couple.

[colbs]

@Mezz Its a brown dash (painted to look like wood grain) but all my bakelite was a blonde color, I believe I found all the pieces I need but I will let you know if I need anything!

[DonaldSmith]

Picky, picky, i guess.  But I have real Bakelite on my car, as the interior facings of the doors pillars and the interior fenders .  It looks like Bakelite has suffered the indignity of becoming a common name rather than a trademark, a fate suffered by Kleenex and the like.  

 

Bakelite was invented by a guy named Bakel.  It was a lamination of paper and phenolic resin, which was heated in a mold.  It as an early plastic laminate, such as Formica, Micarta, and other trade names.  It was a thermosetting material - once heated, it would never soften.  "Plastics" become soft if reheated. 

 

The high-class up-to-date, the latest for post-war Chrysler interior trim was plastic.  Heat it, it softens.  Bake it in the sun, and it deteriorates.  My Bakelite panels only needed a clear coat to fill the Mini-scratches, to make them look new again. 

 

    

 

[bacelaw]

If you need the cream/blonde color escutcheons- I have four that I'm not using.  @michael.warsaw told me they would work with my wagon and of course they don't, $100+ later...