Posts: 594
Threads: 41
Joined: Aug 2010
City: Shepherdsville, KY
Hi All
Here is the cabinet for my 39-116, the question is: should I do anything with the finish or leave it alone. It is not perfect, but can I with limited (and I mean limited) ability to refinish it,
![Icon_sad Icon_sad](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
I am thinking I will leave it as is. the front and sides look pretty good but top is not too good. Also the speaker grill cloth is faded but is o k. So all comments are welcome. Joe
[Image:
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad118...03482r.jpg]
[Image:
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad118...03481r.jpg]
[Image:
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad118...03479r.jpg]
[Image:
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad118...03478r.jpg]
Joe Bratcher near Louisville, KY
Posts: 91
Threads: 9
Joined: Feb 2010
City: Macon, GA
Looks good as is. I would just give it a rub down with a little bit of Howard Restor-a-finish.
Posts: 14
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Joined: Sep 2011
I think It looks great the way it is. I always thought an item was worth more in it's original state, yet I go on the bay and radio's that are given freakish Steinway finishes are fetching good money....go figure....
Posts: 299
Threads: 107
Joined: Mar 2011
City: Sheboygan Falls,Wisconsin
Hi Joe,
The finish on your set looks to be in pretty good shape. I wouldn't try to refinish it. Like Motorola man mentioned, I would try Howard Restore A Finish on it. I've used it on a couple of sets in my collection where the finish was old but okay, and I was very happy with the results
![Icon_thumbup Icon_thumbup](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/smilies/icon_thumbup.gif)
! It's also very easy to use. I found it at my local home improvement store and I believe that Home Depot carries it as well. Good luck with it!
Posts: 13,776
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Joined: Sep 2005
City: Ferdinand
State, Province, Country: Indiana
I'll ditto the comments above; it looks nice in the photos. Try some Howard Restore-A-Finish in Walnut, and see how it looks then.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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City: Boston
State, Province, Country: Massachusetts
I agree with the gang, Howards is pretty good stuff, I just made a crummy looking cabinet very respectable with a good cleaning, one application of Howards, and the some Orange Bee's wax. Polish well with a soft cloth, voila!
Paul
Tubetalk1
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City: Clayton, NC
Fine looking set. Bringing back the original finish is always preferable to restoration unless the cabinet is just too far gone.
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City: Evanston, IL
Looks great!
Follow Ron's suggestions. You never find them that good, generally, depending on previous owner(s).
Chuck
Posts: 201
Threads: 26
Joined: Dec 2005
City: Morris Plains, NJ
Another finish restoring method which I use on all of those thick gloss finishes is a rub down with liquid medium to coarse automotive paint compound followed by a paste wax. This method cleans the junk off, and restores a spectacular original gloss finish.
Although it sounds outrageous, after the compounding I wipe over any scratches and crevices (or the entire radio) with a dilute solution of walnut wood stain. It doesn't stain the wood or lacquer but permanently eliminates the minute and major scratches and wear. Just wipe it off with a rag before waxing.
Pete AI2V
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City: Anacortes, WA
Adding my two cents' worth to the above, I concur. Go with the minimalist approach. It looks pretty doggone good from where I sit.
Posts: 594
Threads: 41
Joined: Aug 2010
City: Shepherdsville, KY
Hi all
oK I am going to clean it and leave it as is. Thanks to all who commented. Your input is valuable. Joe
Joe Bratcher near Louisville, KY