The PHILCO Phorum

Well, getting ready to start my next cabinet restoration. I'm hoping some of you have a suggestion on how to repair this damage on this 1933 89B. Should I try to replace the veneer in this section or do you think I should use some sort of wood putty to fill it in, or any other suggestions? Thanks for any help on this one.

It should be easy enough to patch if you are careful, the patch can be cut so it is parallel to the grain of the wood, and end where the second groove from the top ends. Interesting enough I can see the joint between two strips of veneer right near the chip. The trick will be to find a veneer of the right species, cut and grain so that it doesn't clash with the rest, i was probably French walnut but it's hard to tell with the shaded lacquer over it.
Regards
Arran

The veneer should not be anything special. Just a tight strait grain. Do as already recommended, parallel cut and all that. Cutting th edge is tedious but should blend well since it is a thin piece. I did a similar repair on my 84 cabinet and it was fairly easy. No "Wood" filler! Especially on the face...

Kirk

Thanks to both of you, I will give it a try soon. Sounds like I just need to find some veneer that looks the same and cut it with the grain.. makes sense. Maybe I will take the finish off first so I can tell what the veneer looks like better without the tinted laquer on top. Will let you know how it turns out. I will probably need to order some veneer from somewhere, will check it out.

Why no filler?

Filler can be useful in certain areas but on the front face that is going to be toned a light color it will not hide well. If it was an area that was going to be toned a Dark walnut it could pass but there is nothing for the filler to hold on to or "fill". It is a flat vertical surface only 1/16 of an inch thick but covers a lot of surface. What will it look like having a 1" circle with no grain pattern. Unless you want the hand paint on the grains on before toning.

Sure it can be done but not by me personally.

I think Kirk means "no wood filler in place of a veneer chip," not "no grain filler in the veneer repair."

Sometimes you can swipe a bit of veneer underneath trim, if you bring it down that far. Looks like you don't need much. Done it meself a couple of times.

Me to

Thanks Ron. I was wondering about that.

One more thing, anyone know what color toner I can use so hopefully it will match the rest so I dont have to refinish the complete radio?

You mean shades of toner, there would be at least two, extra dark walnut and medium walnut, the grille area might be light walnut, buy dye based toner or it will obscure the grain too much. Blending a new finish with an old finish seldom works out well on the same panel, so at the very least you might want to strip and redo the front panel, the top and sides may be salvageable.
Regards
Arran