I just purchased a Model 40-190 and I am looking to restore the cabinet. I have seen some amazing restorations, with some people opting to simply wax the cabinet back to a beautiful luster and others stripping and then restoring. When I look at completed Model 40 cabinets they have an amazing tone, which is what I am aiming for. My question is, based on my images, should I consider stripping the cabinet? If so, do I simply re-lacquer it with medium walnut tone or stain it? If the cabinet is not in need of stripping, how best can I revitalize the tone. Also, there is a chip on above the center Philco emblem, which appears to be the veneer. How do I go about restoring that chip so that it is smooth and perfect again. What is the best way to approach all the little nicks, which can be seen in some of the photos? My inexperienced first thought would be to sand them out but somehow, from reading various posting on the forum, I don't think that is the way to do.
This is my first antique radio and I am looking to learn little by little and appreciate any and all advice.
**Having trouble uploading more than one image but I will try and get the others on so that everyone can see what I am talking about.
-sebastian
Probably the first thing I would do is to try some cream automotive hand cleaner like Gojo one the cabinet, see if that white stuff will come off. It's hard to tell from pictures but it actually doesn't look that bad, unless someone varnished over the old stuff, I would try to clean it up and live with it. If someone did varnish over it I would try taking some 0000 steel wool to it to take it down if not off.
Regards
Arran
I'm with Arran. Pix are on the dark side so its hard to tell. I'm a little suspect that this one has been "varnished over" in the past and whether or not that is the case would make a big difference in deciding what to do. It looks like someone "varnished" the face and top and left the rest for the next guy to deal with.
That said, start with the simple stuff and see what you can make out of it.
Actually the guy I bought it off of told me he had intended to refurbish the radio, however, never found the time to do so. The only thing he told me he did was try to make it shine (given that it was in his living room) with Miniwax wood paste to make it look somewhat nice. So I am assuming that should come off rather easily. I am more concerned with fixing the chip that is located right on the front above the emblem (see link below for photo). I am not sure what is the best way to go about that. Also, although the photos won't show the detail, I have noticed patches (small to med.) of lacquer missing. Is my best option to use lacquer thinner and re-lacquer to get a smooth finish again? Thanks for the info.
Link to photos of cabinet:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62087097@N0..._welcome=1
I have a 40-190 that was "barn fresh" when the in-laws got it, so a refinish was in order (MIL took care of that). I know mine wasn't in anywhere near this kind of shape. Try to preserve the original finish if at all posible--I'm of the school that it's really alllowable for a 70-year-old radio to have a few nicks and dings.
Hi,
From here it does look like someone slathered some refinish stuff on the cabinet.
Many of the chips and small scratches are best minimized, instead of trying to get a perfect repair job. You may end up with a bigger mess than what you started with.
The edge chip, may be hard to repair, as far as adding a small sliver of veneer, then trying to match the color and finish. I'd have to see it closer.
Try the waterless hand cleaner (no pumice) and get rid of the dirt and human grime. See what you come up with once it is clean.