Philco 38-12 First restoration project!
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City: Manchester, NH
Hey everyone, this is my first post to the phorum, and my first project, so I hope you guys can give me some advice. My project is a bit different, in that I am not going to be restoring a radio to it's original condition. Instead I picked up an empty Philco 38-12 cabinet, and I plan to retrofit it with all modern components including a Raspberry Pi linux board, DAC, mini class d amplifier, brand new full range speaker, and a touch screen in the dial window. It will all be wireless and controlled through a smartphone. I am going for that cool vintage look with a modern touch.
So first up is cleaning up the cabinet. Its not in bad condition, but there are some thin spots in the lacquer. I've never done this before, so what would you guys recommend? I don't think it needs to be completely stripped and sanded, so what would you recommend for stains to fix the rough spots? Honestly not really sure where to start, so any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Here's some photos of the cabinet:
[Image: http://i.imgur.com/vEDX7PQ.jpg]
[Image: http://i.imgur.com/cVguQVx.jpg]
[Image: http://i.imgur.com/2BeWjrz.jpg]
[Image: http://i.imgur.com/PLRE7Zr.jpg]
[Image: http://i.imgur.com/QJjU17S.jpg]
[Image: http://i.imgur.com/mKAZnhd.jpg]
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Welcome to the Phorum! :wave:
Many have good luck with cleaning dirt off with GoJo (without the pumice). Cabinets were originally toned with a toning laquer and then coated with clear lacquer. Some folks use Howards RestoreAFinish to help refresh the finish but it will not replace lost lacquer. Others will have other thoughts. I usually buy radios that need a total refinish.
Most pholks on this Phorum would encourage you to put a restored 38-12 chassis into it but its your radio. Hope your cabinet turns out well!
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Touchy subject for sure, 
As Bob said, it is your cabinet and we want it to look real good either way...
Cleaning is a start and GoJo is great for that. It will not help with the missing lacquer though. The only way to repair the pictured issues is to strip and lacquer the cabinet. If you are on with a little imperfection then leave it. I would say to try and fill the spots with lacquer but it is a hard process and once you sand through the toner layer, you are kinda screwed..
It is a really good condition cabinet honestly...
The GoJo will actually help to color match all the light scratches. Use #0000 steel wool and lightly rub the cabinet down with it on the wool. Then wipe down. If you dont like it, then let it dry for a day or 2 and then you can add lacquer or strip.
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City: Manchester, NH
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll pick up some of that steel wool tonight. The pumice free GoJo is a little trickier to find, however. Might have to order it online.
I forgot to mention that I also ordered the grill cloth in the picture below. That's not my radio, just the picture from the ebay listing.
I knew saying that I'm not completely restoring with original equipment would be a bit touchy, but I'll post some pics when its done. I think you guys will think its cool.
[Image: http://i.imgur.com/asCASDk.jpg]
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https://radioattic.com/item.htm?radio=1550017
This is the original grill cloth for 38-12 (also 38-15, 38-14 and some others).
I bought it in Kutztown last spring, I forgot the name, Ron knows, the guy who was with Mark Palmquist was selling it.
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
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Sam Mashburn.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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yes, thanks Ron.
I never met him, Mark was there watching the shop
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
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I will introduce you to him in May if you like.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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Are you coming this time?
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
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If everything works out...yes.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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Man. I agreed for my wife to go to a conference on Friday. Which means I will only be there Saturday.
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
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Man, that is a shame. Sorry to hear it. But hey, if you're there on Saturday, Mark and Sam M. should still be there, like the rest of us...until noon or thereabouts, some sooner, some later.
MuddyBoots, you should begin by (carefully) removing the glass dial cover and escutcheon. Then do as Bob and Kitk have already suggested. If the cabinet is a uniform color and only has some of the clearcoat lacquer missing, you can always spray on more coats of clear lacquer. Please use clear gloss lacquer, not polyurethane. Lacquer dries much faster, is more forgiving, easier to work with. Polyurethane can almost never be stripped while lacquer is easily stripped.
If you have some really bad places where the toner is still there but the clear is missing, to level it out you might try a careful application of clear lacquer in the affected areas with a can of brushing lacquer and a small foam brush. Apply it several times until the lacquer has built up to a point where it is even with the rest of the clear or maybe even a bit higher. Then sand it down with 400 or 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper, with the sandpaper wet to keep from clogging it. Spray a couple more coats of clear, wet sand with 1000 grit, a couple more coats and then let it cure for a couple weeks or more. Finally you can rub it out with mineral oil and rottenstone, or just skip to the final step which is a good, hard wax.
Remember to always sand with the grain, not against it.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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I will likely appear Saturday around 7am as I usually do.
Unless I decide to take Thursday off 
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
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City: Manchester, NH
Thanks for all the advice guys. I can't find any GoJo without pumice, but my local Home Depot has Goop, which looks like it's pumice free, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Goop-14-oz-Ha.../205852358
Anyone tried this stuff?
Hopefully I can get working on this soon, but I might have to wait until after the Super Bowl. We'll see. Either way, I will post pics.
Thanks everyone!
and...
GO PATS!!!
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Goop - GoJo - same thing, different manufacturers.
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Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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