The PHILCO Phorum

Hello Everyone,
I have been restoring some Philco sets and was wondering the best way to bring back the square tube shields. You can't polish them out and they appear to have been plated with chrome or nickel originally. Can someone let me know what they were plated with originally? Or how to get them looking brand new and shiny?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Hi,

> Can someone let me know what they were plated with originally?

They were originally plated with tin, and the plating has not held up well over the decades.

> Or how to get them looking brand new and shiny?

Replating would be the best solution...$$$

If you have a soldering pot, you could sand the outside, flux it, immerse in the pot, hold it for awhile until it is really hot, and then shake it really violently (but not to lose it). That could to the trick.

Thank you,
Replating looks to be the way to go. I'll see what the costs look like and let you know. I might see if nickel plating would work better, it should last longer and provide a similar look.