Romanian Bakelite Grip > Maintenance & Cleaning

cudofcow

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 12

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OR, USA

Posted: 11/22/2017 5:38:32 PM EDT

[Last Edit: cudofcow][Edited]

I bought a Romanian bakelite grip. Just got it in the mail and it looks like total shit. The entire thing is hairy and smelly. Looks like its covered in mold but on further inspection, it looks like the red fibers of the bakelite are just deteriorating. Is there a way to restore it or did i gamble and lose? can it be sanded down? microwaved? dipped in plastidip? is this thing just a piece of trash that they sold me for 5 bucks?

Also, why are my pictures not embedding? they are just links...

1saxman

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 8104

EE: 100% (22)

VA, USA

Posted: 2/27/2018 10:00:32 AM EDT

[#1]

Rub it down with Ballistol and #0000 steel wool. First try the Ballistol on a cloth and see if that alone works. You may as well keep some Ballistol around for the AK because its the best thing to use on it including polymer and wood.

NoEffects6

Intruders Forever

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 1023

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WA, USA

Posted: 3/3/2018 10:39:18 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Originally Posted By 1saxman:
Rub it down with Ballistol and #0000 steel wool. First try the Ballistol on a cloth and see if that alone works. You may as well keep some Ballistol around for the AK because its the best thing to use on it including polymer and wood.

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If you follow his links and look at the pictures of the grip he has there is no way it will polish out. That thing is mangled. Almost think he was trolling.

engineer2001

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 10269

EE: 100% (119)

GA, USA

Posted: 3/3/2018 11:23:39 PM EDT

[#3]

It looks like a dog chewed on it or something.

Dr_Zero

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1070

EE: 100% (1)

FL, USA

Posted: 6/29/2018 6:22:20 PM EDT

[#4]

Did you ever get a good grip?

LRRPF52

Member

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 31522

EE: 100% (41)

UT, USA

Posted: 10/8/2018 4:59:01 PM EDT

[#5]

AR15/AR10 student since 1980s
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun

sigman68

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 3165

EE: 100% (11)

UT, USA

Posted: 10/10/2018 12:41:50 AM EDT

[#6]

Hmmmm....I wonder what a light sanding with some fine sand paper and a clear satin polyurethane finish would do to improve the look, as well as seal the fibers.

p-joseph

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 2107

EE: 100% (10)

AZ, USA

Posted: 4/19/2019 12:07:35 AM EDT

[#7]

That looks like heavy abrasions, like the other poster mentioned I’d seal it with a satin varnish. You might try burning off the stray fibers with a lighter before the varnish.

1saxman

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 8807

EE: 100% (22)

VA, USA

Posted: 7/18/2019 10:50:32 PM EDT

[#8]

Wow - that's pretty rough. Like they say, looks like a dog toy.

Tony6171991

Member

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 480

EE: 0% (0)

USA

Posted: 8/19/2019 12:37:36 AM EDT

[#9]

I bought two Romanian Bakelite grips and I will choose the right from a cosmetic standpoint. So I can use a coating or it is good the leave the grip as it is?

Attached File

RULE762

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 306

EE: 100% (3)

WI, USA

Posted: 3/4/2022 2:21:50 PM EDT

[#10]

You can apply a Poly type finish, but it will wear off pretty quick. Some use Ballistol. Most will molt over time, and appear "moldy." There is nothing wrong with that. It's the natural patina. It is AK 47s..... not beauty pagent champions.

55sixer

Member

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 6638

EE: 100% (2)

IL, USA

Posted: 3/4/2022 2:34:32 PM EDT

[#11]

Do people choose or use Bakelite grips/mags for original authenticity or is it really tough or something?

It just seems like old ugly ass primitive plastic that would be better to replace with modern superiority

Never underestimate... overkill is underrated

scottrh2

Member

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 5956

EE: 100% (241)

USA

Posted: 8/20/2022 7:16:27 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Originally Posted By 55sixer:
Do people choose or use Bakelite grips/mags for original authenticity or is it really tough or something?

It just seems like old ugly ass primitive plastic that would be better to replace with modern superiority

View Quote

I would say that they choose them because the real ones came with them.

DKUltra

Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 15540

EE: 100% (58)

ID, USA

Posted: 11/18/2023 9:06:20 PM EDT

[#13]

Holy hell these threads are old

there is/was a way to bring old worn Bakelite back from the dead.

Sand through the numbers

Then apply Norrells clear gloss moly resin, and bake per directions.

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Romanian Bakelite Grip

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Romanian Bakelite Grip