The PHILCO Phorum

Someone has probably brought this up before, but, I can only remember a discussion on the arch of 70s and 90s.

So, I bought another 84 on Sat. It was in good shape except for the 3 inch square hole in the top. Someone had purposefully put it there. Who knows why.

I am ordering some 1/8 inch 3 ply plywood for a new arch and go to look at the grain on one of my un-refinished specimens. The grain is front to back - what I had expected. What I had never noticed before was the faux grain painted on in the opposite direction, top to bottom. Not a lot, but definitely there. You know that these arches were toned a dark English Walnut brown so the fake grain does not really stand out, at least now that the finish has yellowed. Interesting thing is, that the one I am fixing has no faux grain work on the arch.

What do you think?

I can take a picture - If I have to.

Yes, you have to

Faux grain on the arch??? I don't currently own an 84 - I prefer the larger cathedrals and tombstones, especially those with a high tube count - but I have never seen photofinish on the top/sides of any 84 that I've ever seen.

This is a new one on me.

Could be somthing that was done by a previous owner?

TA Forbes Wrote:Could be somthing that was done by a previous owner?

No, I think that it is factory,

It is not photofinish either. It is a very dark brown or black that appears to be brushed on. I'll take a picture of it tomorrow

Ok, here is my new 84 with the hole(s). I thought I would mount a 600cfm muffin fan in the larger one for cooling and a telescoping antenna in the smaller one.

But, on the other you can see the faux brushed on grain. It is very subtle, really, you can only see it in bright light.

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My model 84 grain goes from fron to back. Had no faux finish on it.

Vinzer

Just a Guess...it kinda looks like it was redone with Howard refinisher.??? With a brush maybe. I saw another radio with a simular finish at a swap meet. I asked the gentleman what he used...his response was Howard dark walnut.

I know it is hard to see in that small picture, but the brush strokes of toner are under the topcoat. They look like the same pigment used to tone the end grain on the front panel. It actually does improve the look of the arch, though I will not try to reproduce it in the replacement for the one on the left.

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