Penn side plates matte or gloss

[jnd1959]

I have two Penn Longbeach 66 reels that I am restoring.  Originally I thought the side pates were just weathered and could be restored to a gloss finish like my 350.  Were these originally a matte finish?  I'm thinking of powder coating the spools and rings (either chrome or black for the spool and chrome or gold for the rings) as they are all pretty weathered so I'm not necessarily looking to keep them stock.  If they are matte finish, will bakelite smooth out with successive sandings?  I've restored fiberglass boats and am used to that process to bring things to a gloss finish.  I just didn't want to ruin a side plate trying to do something that won't happen. 

Thanks for the help. 

[sdlehr]

The Long Beach had a long run. There were multiple sideplate variations over the years, but all were made of Bakelite and could be sanded smooth; I have done so with Bakelite. I presume you don't have any picture plates Penn did use a finish other than smooth on some reels, not the Long Beaches, I don't remember what they called that finish at the moment.

[jnd1959]

Thanks Sid. I don't have the picture plates so the only trouble area will be the Penn logo area.

[STRIPER LOU]

In the Penn logo area I use a dremel at lower speed with a 3/8 or 1/2 in soft polishing brush along with semichrome polish. You may get a small bit of rounding on the letters but if you let the brush do the work and don't push it the results are very good.

...............Lou

[mizmo67]

Penn did use a finish other than smooth on some reels, not the Long Beaches, I don't remember what they called that finish at the moment.

It was kind of pebbly in texture? I'm not sure that they called it, either.
Maybe Mike C. will chime in? I'm sure he knows!

[foakes]

Think it may have been called a "stippled finish" ? -- think I may have a few of those old new ones for the 79 Seamates.

If we are talking about the same thing, I have many of the older 85, 285, 180 -- with these plates.

Best,

Fred

[jnd1959]

Thanks to all. I'll see how well I can polish these.

[Bill B]

If you could posy before and after pictures it would be greatly appreciated....Bill

[Alto Mare]

I mentioned to a member that I was going to give Simichrome Polishing paste a try and he sent two tubes over, thanks again Brett.
Here are my results on some faded 259 plates.
Before:

After:

You could actually sand the plates to remove marks and they will still come out shiny, I'm very happy with the Simichrome
paste.
Sid, thanks for suggesting it...good stuff.

Sal

[jnd1959]

I have before pictures and will post after I'm finished.  I've wet sanded from 600 up to 2000 and then used rubbing compound. I know the plate is smoother because the water beads instead of pools.  I've tried different cutting pastes but these seem to have a negative effect on the plastic.  I think I will try that semichrome paste. Based on your results Sal, it either is fine enough to get the grain to reflect evenly or has properties that allow it to not soak into the plastic and disappear.  Those look good.