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Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Printable Version

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RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 09-01-2018

How the front panel looked after the grain filler had been rubbed with burlap:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_012.jpg]

Eventually, grain filling was complete on the top and sides as well.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_013.jpg]

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_014.jpg]

Don't let the sunshine fool you - the cabinet is darker than the pictures seem to indicate due to the grain filler and its residue.

Removing the excess grain filler from the routed grooves was a bit of a challenge, but I think I did okay with that.

The goal for tomorrow is to sand off the grain filler residue, then begin toning the cabinet. I have not yet determined which color toner to use. The original color, from what I'm finding on the Net, is somewhat dark but not to the point of being super-dark like Extra Dark Walnut. What was left of the original finish on this cabinet was dark as well. I have some Dark Walnut to try as well as Perfect Brown and Dark Red Walnut (all Mohawk Ultra Classic). I'll try all three on a scrap piece of wood before deciding.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - EdHolland - 09-01-2018

That looks great already Ron, a really nice job Icon_smile

Ed

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 09-02-2018

Thanks Ed. Hopefully you (and anyone else reading this) will approve of today's progress.

I wet sanded the cabinet with 400 grit paper, wiped it down, let it dry, and then began applying toner.

After test spraying Medium Brown Walnut, Perfect Brown, Dark Walnut and Dark Red Walnut on a piece of scrap wood, I came to the following conclusions:

Medium Brown Walnut appears to be nearly the same color as Perfect Brown. Now, this may not be true if sprayed on old wood such as a stripped radio cabinet.

Dark Walnut was actually lighter than both of the above...possibly even slightly lighter than Medium Walnut Tone Finish.

The closest match was Dark Red Walnut, so that is what I chose.

I applied one of Mohawk's optional nozzles to the can (the first time I've ever used these), and began. Here are the results.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_015.jpg]

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_016.jpg]

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_017.jpg]

I really like these Mohawk nozzles - they make the spray toner behave as if it were a can of Deft; that is, the spray pattern can be changed from horizontal to vertical. This allows a more uniform coat from a spray can. I'll keep using these nozzles, as they are much better than the conical pattern nozzles which come with the Mohawk products.

Yes, the cabinet is dark. What was left of the original finish was dark. Plus images I have found online of 6T2 sets that still have original finish are just as dark, so I think I chose a good color as a replacement finish.

After applying two coats of Dark Red Walnut, I noticed a spot just to the left of the grille that looked dull. I noticed it after sanding the cabinet but assumed it was just a spot I sanded a bit too heavily. It isn't fisheye, but is dull. Here is a close-up - which, unfortunately, does not show the flaw.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_018.jpg]

I test sprayed some clear lacquer over the dull spot and after it dried, it seemed to cover it up a little. I am hopeful that after multiple coats of clear that it will look OK.

Anyway...

Tomorrow, I hope to get the decals applied and then start spraying clear lacquer on the cabinet.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Steve Davis - 09-02-2018

Looking Good!

Steve

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Paul Philco322 - 09-02-2018

Keep doing her up, by 1938 the RCAs had changed much, here is mine, original finish, plays good plenty volume but not quite as eye pleasing as the earlier models. This guy has had some work, I like the curve, but the Tombstone styling is way cool.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/92577012@N02/8563400996/in/dateposted-public/

Keep rolling Ron. 


Paul B.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 09-03-2018

Thanks, Steve and Paul! Icon_biggrin And Paul, your RCA is very neat as well. Icon_thumbup

After staring at more 6T2 pictures, I decided that the "white wood" on this cabinet needed to be darker than it was.

So...

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_019.jpg]

Yup...I masked off the cabinet (no easy chore) and sprayed two coats of Mohawk Extra Dark Walnut on the "white wood" areas.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_020.jpg]

What appears to be blushing on the right side trim is just a reflection of something. The cabinet is fine. I've been fortunate so far, having had no issues with blushing lacquer in spite of the 90+ degree heat and high humidity here. I'm doing my spraying in our standalone garage, where my truck normally resides. And unlike those dummies who are killing themselves using methylene chloride strippers indoors with no protective gear, I'm using a respirator when spraying lacquer. And the overhead door of the garage is left open while spraying, as are the few small windows this garage has. I think the fact that this garage is rather large and has a high ceiling is making a difference in how my work is turning out. Icon_thumbup

I'll post a photo of the cabinet with the masking removed later.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 09-03-2018

Here's a photo of the 6T2 cabinet with the masking removed, with flash:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_021.jpg]

I think the coloring now more closely resembles the original finish.

Next up: To add the decals, then to begin spraying the cabinet with clear lacquer.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - EdHolland - 09-03-2018

I can only go on to say again how great this looks Icon_smile

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 09-03-2018

Not a good afternoon.

Oh, I managed to get the decals on with little trouble (save for messing up one OFF - SPEECH decal and having to remove it and apply another).

But when it came to applying the first couple coats of clear lacquer...

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_022.jpg]

Doesn't look too bad, eh? Take a closer look:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_023.jpg]

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/6T2/6T2_024.jpg]

Somehow I managed to get some big drips of lacquer on the front panel.

Icon_mad  Icon_evil Icon_sad Icon_cry

Well, I am hoping that with some careful wet sanding, that I will be able to compensate for these errors without having to strip and start over.

I should have stopped right then and there. But no, I had to do the Philco 66B cabinet also. Go here to see what happened to it.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Paul Philco322 - 09-03-2018

Cabinet work is an art, to be able to do the "electrics" and the cabinet makes on a truly special artist in this hobby. You are a guy who strives for the best and thus find the result a bit distressing, you will get it right, deep breath...

Hold the phone Ron, how do you guys still get Snuffy Smith in the papers out there?

Paul

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 09-03-2018

Thanks Paul, but I don't try to kid myself - I'm no cabinet "artist" like Steve Davis, or Russ (Phlogiston), or Fred Taylor, or John Hagman "Hagstar", or many others whose names do not immediately come to mind right now. I just do the best that I can. The end results usually aren't 100% perfect on the cabinets that I refinish, but they generally suit me. I usually do better work with the electronics.

But yes, I do strive to do my best when it comes to this so it really bothers me when I mess up.

I will try my best to fix the flaws in both the 66B and this 6T2. But not immediately. I'm going to take a few days' break from these two cabinets. If I want to work on a cabinet, I still have lots of work to do to my RCA T7-5 cabinet, the worst part being the replacement of a sheet of veneer and strips of veneer on that particular cabinet. It, too, shall wait a day or two, however.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Paul Philco322 - 09-03-2018

It is a skill, I have asked old Fred to do a couple of cabinets, and all I can say is wow, I have a nutty friend who has done a couple for me here and you know they are super, it is his livelyhood.

Take a break, relax, we just lost our lights, it is hotttt, but they just came up.


Paul

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 09-03-2018

Paul

I did not see your comment about Snuffy Smith when I replied earlier.

I don't know about the papers as I never read them anymore, but ol' Snuffy appears daily on the Comics Kingdom website, along with many other comics.

Oh, I see what you mean (post #21 above). Those newspapers are old, which I acquired just for cabinet work such as illustrated above.

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - Paul Philco322 - 09-03-2018

I remember Snuffy, Barney Google,  those were the days we had funnies. 

Paul

RE: Ron's RCA 6T2 Restoration - EdHolland - 09-04-2018

Oh that's bad luck Ron. I have no doubt, however, that you will get there in style.