dsc, what did you use for the handles? The only thing I can see is the "bakelite polish paste no 5" on ebay. Is it worth it? It looks so.

Hi,

that's exactly what I used, it works great! it's got silicone and wax in it, so you don't need to apply anything else.

Regards,
dsc.

thanks!
I'll get my machine some.

Specially the water and steam valve handles are pretty dull.

dsc wrote:
I was looking at the panels again yesterday and was wondering whether it's possible to do some hand polishing instead of using a car polishing tool / buffer. The thing is I wouldn't want to spend 50-60$ on polishing tool simply to use it once.



Regards,
dsc.

I inquired into polishing the SS on my Elektra as it also had some scratches on the case and was given great info by mhoy and cannonfodder as to how to do a complete job using many grits and polishing compounds with buffers etc., and I may do that in the future. But for a quick job I used the Wenol polish in the red tube and applied, cleaned and buffed with soft cotton rags. My wife can't understand why I would go to all the work to try to remove every scratch, in effect taking a little of its character with it. I'm starting to see her point as it doesn't look perfect but it shined up quite nicely without having to buy any power tools

SylvainMtl wrote:dsc, what did you use for the handles? The only thing I can see is the "bakelite polish paste no 5" on ebay. Is it worth it? It looks so.

I did a little research on cleaning bakelite and people recommended everything from metal polish to Simichrome polish to shoe polish and furniture polish. I looked under the kitchen sink and found some Pledge furniture polish with orange oil. It cleaned the PF handles and hot water and steam knobs very well, all without buying any "special" compound. Try it and see if it works for you.

Looking mighty fine. Pity I don't have an Elektra portafilter handle, I can try it on my steam and water wand dispensers though.

mark

mhoy wrote:Looking mighty fine. Pity I don't have an Elektra portafilter handle, I can try it on my steam and water wand dispensers though.

mark

I'm sure you have seen this but just in case you haven't, they are available from Stefano, but they ain't cheap! http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qs...&PNAME=Portafilter http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qs...PNAME=Portafilter+

ccfore wrote:I'm sure you have seen this but just in case you haven't, they are available from Stefano, but they ain't cheap! http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qs...&PNAME=Portafilter http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qs...PNAME=Portafilter+

Yeah, I'd seen them and went into sticker shock. I like getting a discount from retail...why else would I have embarked on a total rebuild. Look up the price of a new steam wand assembly and it makes me so very happy I picked up an extra one that houdina (gregg) had as an extra.

Mark

ccfore wrote:I did a little research on cleaning bakelite and people recommended everything from metal polish to Simichrome polish to shoe polish and furniture polish. I looked under the kitchen sink and found some Pledge furniture polish with orange oil. It cleaned the PF handles and hot water and steam knobs very well, all without buying any "special" compound. Try it and see if it works for you.

It looks good. But I think my issue is more of dullness than cleanliness. The orange oil in the pledge will give it a shine, but I'm afraid it might be very brief.

ccfore wrote:I inquired into polishing the SS on my Elektra as it also had some scratches on the case and was given great info by mhoy and cannonfodder as to how to do a complete job using many grits and polishing compounds with buffers etc., and I may do that in the future. But for a quick job I used the Wenol polish in the red tube and applied, cleaned and buffed with soft cotton rags.

Did you do anything special for the cup tray? it looks like there is virtually no scratches!