02-07-2010, 07:14 AM
I'm no cabinet expert - in fact cabinet restoration is my least favorite part of radio restoration - but I would say the wood is drying out and that bent veneer is trying to bend back out; not being able to, it just cracks.
I'm not aware of any easy fixes. I've seen many cabinets with this issue, especially 37-116 sets.
Assuming you're going to refinish the cabinet, I think I would carefully sand those cracked areas, use filler sparingly as needed, then refinish in lacquer. Once the lacquer fully cures (give it a few to several months), clean it occasionally with something good for it such as Howard's Orange Oil (available in many antique shops). Do not use Pledge or any modern furniture polishes containing silicone!
I'm not aware of any easy fixes. I've seen many cabinets with this issue, especially 37-116 sets.
Assuming you're going to refinish the cabinet, I think I would carefully sand those cracked areas, use filler sparingly as needed, then refinish in lacquer. Once the lacquer fully cures (give it a few to several months), clean it occasionally with something good for it such as Howard's Orange Oil (available in many antique shops). Do not use Pledge or any modern furniture polishes containing silicone!
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
