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reason i ask is that the steering column cowling for my car has a mark in it left from parcel tape that i cant for the life of me get out (tried thinners, etc.)

DO NOT USE ACETONE ON IT. YOU WILL BUGGER THE FINISH RIGHT UP!!!!!!!

I would try and get hold of some acetate solvent of some sort. I am talking about the stuff which can be branded as a label remover and smells very strongly of various fruit, depending on the chemical used.

I have a chum who used to use label remover (ethyl acetate/limonene) on perspex with label glue on. She uses WD40 and a lot of elbow grease now. I can't see why it wouldn't work on bakelite.

Bakelite is hard and you'd probably get away with using Brasso, if it's a real bugger. Then you would combine the abrasive properties of ochre and the solvent action of paraffin.

I suspect label/tape glue is a polar compound. It might work best with a bit of soap. You could try adding a half drip of fairy liquid to about 1/2 a teaspoonful of paraffin.

I use WD40 on those bakelite horn centres, sort of soaks in, but works OK!

When I want to get price sticker glue off of perspex model lids I use lighter petrol, test on the inside first to make sure it doesn't damage the bakerlite, but I am sure it will be fine. Lighter fluid is great for getting alsorts of stuff off of things, and it only costs about £1.50 from you local ciggy shop.

Yes ; you can, its fairly easy with a polish mop, buy you wont return it to black, just a shiny brownish black, WD40 is a bit like Restorall which will give a good finish for a few months and then will need re doing.

Thanks for all the replies. I've managed to get the shine back on the bakelite using Brasso but there's still a dark strip across the cowl where the parcel tape was stuck to it. I'm not sure whether the glue on the tape has caused this darkening or the rest of the cowl is just lighter where it's been exposed to the sunlight.

I have used Toothpaste followed by brasso.

Probably better to do it by hand or very gently with a mop as it burns / melts quite easily.

OK tks Mark, will give that a go - any particular brand of toothpaste?!

Caustic soda will probably break down the glue without breaking down your plastic.

You will also find that shoe polish is a magic compound.

Happy to report that numerous applications of Brasso and plenty of elbow grease did the trick - cheers boyzeez!