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Polishing chassis components questions - WyTex - 05-05-2020

Morning all -

I'm finishing up a 38-9 and have completed re-stuffing the caps and bakelite blocks.  (Steve Davis, the tools I got from you worked great, thank you)

While I've polished plenty of automotive components over the years, is there a preferred method for polishing radio chassis components?  I have the tools for grinding and polishing but is there a specific polisher everyone is using to make these components look like new?

Thanks all,
Paul

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - Radioroslyn - 05-05-2020

So what parts are you thinking of polishing??

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - Phlogiston - 05-05-2020

The zinc plated stuff won't stay polished for long.

Be careful, some manufactures used cadmium plating (yellow fuzzy oxidation) which can be very bad for you if inhaled.

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - Eliot Ness - 05-05-2020

Member Geoff has some pretty detailed threads where he is very meticulous at cleaning and polishing the chassis parts.  While I know he has done Philco before but all I could find was his thread on a Zenith:

https://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=4917

He likes to use Simichrome polish but I think any good metal polish would work pretty well.

[Image: https://antiqueradios.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=151727&g2_serialNumber=2]

The above is a picture from his thread.

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - radiohenry - 05-05-2020

Very nice looking. While I will say that I like to fix radios I have to say I don't really restore them to like new condition. I would never polish an escutcheon unless it was rusted maybe but I am at odds at polishing the old copper electrolytics.
                                                          Henry

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - Paul Philco322 - 05-05-2020

I am lazy Icon_lol Icon_lol  Icon_lol Icon_lol

Unless some set was very unique and a great find I just try to avoid those that may have heavy rust or are really grundgy. Unless it was a real special one. Much like the eternal cabinet disussions the call to make it look new or to have that patina or authentic aged look is really one for the owner. That chassis looks beautiful, despite what your taste is I admire the skill and workmanship.

Paul

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - Eliot Ness - 05-05-2020

I don't like to over polish an escutcheon but I did polish the Mershon caps in my 70 and 90.

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - WyTex - 05-06-2020

All great points. I've only made repairs and haven't polished radio components to like-new condition either and was wanting to give it a shot with all this extra time at home. After Terry asked which components it appears the options are limited on this set. Been reading up on past 16b restorations as I prepare to start mine and the polished Mershon caps caught my eye.

I'm trying to avoid getting too lazy myself Paul! I also collect antique Smith & Wesson's and in that world the aged patina is desirable, much like furniture.

As always, thanks for your input guys.
Paul

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - Paul Philco322 - 05-06-2020

I am developing patina as I typeIcon_smile. Paul

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - WyTex - 05-06-2020

Icon_lol

Your value is increasing by the minute!

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - radiohenry - 05-06-2020

I am getting too much patina. Too much grey and starting to shine some on top!.
                                          Oh well,
                                                Henry

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - Radioroslyn - 05-07-2020

I've heard that a good soak in vinegar takes off a good amount of tarnish and such...

To get back on subject just to clean the aluminum cans up a bit I've used a soft Scotch Brite pad (white one) and some WD-40. It's good for cleaning up the corrosion on the tops. On some of the sets the IF shields are spot welded together so they come off as one unit.

RE: Polishing chassis components questions - WyTex - 05-11-2020

Thank you for the tips Terry. Very much appreciated.

Paul