The PHILCO Phorum
"Renewing" an original finish - Printable Version

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"Renewing" an original finish - Ron Ramirez - 12-07-2005

Just thought I'd share the results of something that began as a test on my "shelf queen" 32B tombstone this summer.

It had a decent - not perfect, but decent - front panel; but the Van Dyke Brown top, sides and left & right "columns" were badly worn.

Not wanting to lose the original decal on the 32B front panel, I experimented with "renewing" the dark toner by masking off the front panel and spraying only the dark areas with Mohawk Van Dyke Brown toning lacquer.

The results looked quite promising, so I tried it again on the last warm day of this season here, on a 16B tombstone.

This one's dark toner was BADLY worn, to the point that the wood showed through over most of the surface. The walnut panels in front were still in decent shape, though.

I masked off the walnut panels and carefully masked off the stripes in front. Then sprayed away with Van Dyke Brown.

The results amazed me; it turned out MUCH better than I expected it to; especially considering I sprayed this cabinet on a day when we had several severe storms in this area, including an F4 tornado 50 miles south of here, in Madisonville, Kentucky.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/Phorum_Stuff/16b_jlda.jpg]

Because of the bad weather and high humidity, I had to follow each coat of Van Dyke Brown with a coat of No Blush Plus to get rid of the "blushing." That's the main reason why I'm surprised it turned out so well.

Really, all I need to do to this one is spray clear lacquer on those walnut panels, as they were scratched up, but the color was O.K. I have sanded them lightly in preparation for the clear lacquer, which will have to wait until it warms up. At the rate we're going, that may not be until next spring as highs here have been in the 30s with lows in the teens; and we're expecting our first snow of the season tomorrow.

Doug Houston tells me he did the same thing to a Model 650B. The front panel was basically good, but the top, sides and front "columns" were badly worn. He masked off the front panel and toned the rest of the cabinet; then sprayed clear on the front panel and polished it out.

Here is how Doug's cabinet looks now.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/Phorum_Stuff/Philco650B.jpg]

Note that the "red" look is a result of the camera Doug was using; the set is not actually red.

Now, another Philco from Doug's collection. He had to completely strip and redo this one, as it had been painted white. The end result looks fantastic.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum/Phorum_Stuff/Philco118B.jpg]

So what about my 32B? Well, I test sprayed it in a hurry, and got some "orange peel" on the bottom front trim. I was too busy with other (customer's) radios at the time, and didn't have time to correct it before cold weather set in, so I'll take care of it next spring. Then, I will share a photo of it when done.

- Tim Tress - 12-13-2005

Nice work! I'm working on a very rough 16B right now; the veneer is lifting in several places. I plan to disassemble the cabinet and reglue everything, and maybe I won't have to refinish it. At this point I'm still restuffing the Bakelite capacitors, and soon will tackle the"monster" potted five-section can.

- Ron Ramirez - 01-12-2006

Tim - Thanks! Icon_smile

Follow-up on the 16B: I had to wait until recently when we had a 60-degree day to start giving it its final coats of lacquer. Sprayed it a little but ran out of Deft, so had to wait until today, when it got up to 60 again, to take it back out to the garage, rub it down and spray the final coats.

I think it turned out pretty good, considering the weather. I've found that Deft has a tendency to "orange peel" al lower temperatures, no matter how careful I am. But I think after a final rubdown, this cabinet will be just fine. I'll post another picture later on, when the chassis gets finished and I get it all put back together.

Now I'm looking forward to warmer weather - and finishing up my 32B tombstone. It should be really nice when done, like this 16B.

- PTurney - 01-12-2006

Hi,

I have a 118B tombstone similar to Doug's that I'm waiting to do the same thing with. The sides, side columns and top need retoning, but the original front is great. Have to wait until the warmer weather though...

For some reason I haven't taken a photo of it yet.

Paul

- Ron Ramirez - 01-12-2006

Paul - you really should take a "before" photo, so you can compare it to your "after" results. I have several cabinets I've done, including this 16B, that I wish I had taken a "before" photo of. I am starting to do that now, my 66-S and 38-116 being examples.

- PTurney - 01-12-2006

Hi Ron,

Yes that's my plan. However, several times I've started on a project thinking I'd taken photos only to find out later that I hadn't taken them at all! A 1934 60B that was originally covered in paint was the most recent example. Maybe I should go and do the 118B (that I bought over the summer) now while I'm thinking of it...

Paul

- PTurney - 01-12-2006

Hi,

OK. Here are the photos (with apologies to anyone using dial-up):-

http://www.tuberadioland.com/myphotos/philco118B_tombstone_1.gif
http://www.tuberadioland.com/myphotos/philco118B_tombstone_2.gif
http://www.tuberadioland.com/myphotos/philco118B_tombstone_3.gif
http://www.tuberadioland.com/myphotos/philco118B_tombstone_4.gif

I guess the front side pieces might get by with little more than touch-up, but the top & front upper trim were stripped & possibly stained (by the previous owner) & need re-finishing. To get it all to match may mean re-doing the sides too.

Roll on springtime.

Paul

- Ron Ramirez - 01-12-2006

Paul, that will be another really nice one when you get it completed. It's good when we can selectively finish instead of completely stripping and refinishing a cabinet, yes?

I have DSL, and each photo downloaded in about 1 second on my end. Icon_biggrin