Cleaning / waxing painted metal
Posts: 955
Threads: 8
Joined: Jul 2020
City: Greenlawn
State, Province, Country: NY
Hi Pholks,
I scored an RCA (GE) Radiola II and am in the process of cleaning and restoring. These sets are much higher quality than the Westinghouse built Radiola III, but when new price was over $90 vs $33 for the Radiola III.
The painted brass front panel is in relatively good shape. I washed off the nicotine using Windex, then laundry soap and rinsing.
What do you all recommend to use to shine and protect the paint on the brass front panel. I am a little afraid of using something that would lift the finish. I have Armor-All and Pledge, and I can buy some GoJo hand cleaner.
Thanks for your input.
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
Posts: 1,935
Threads: 145
Joined: Jan 2013
City: Westland, MI
My first thought was automotive scratch polish. It is, after all, specifically intended for paint finishes. Try it on a small obscure area first to see how it does. I would first do a good clean up with non-pumice GOJO and give it a good detailing. Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary
"Don't pity the dead, pity the living, above all, those living without love."
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Gary - Westland Michigan
Posts: 1,530
Threads: 95
Joined: May 2008
City: Omak
State, Province, Country: WA
Mrfixr,
Sounds like Gar had some good advice and I second his Idea.
Good luck with your cleaning !
Sincerely Richard
Posts: 3,133
Threads: 56
Joined: Apr 2011
City: Lexington, KY
As mentioned GoJo hand cleaner (white not orange) is always good for general cleaning. After it was clean, and if the paint was in good condition, a coat of Mother's or Meguair's cleaner wax should do the trick. If you've already cleaned it with Windex you can probably skip the GoJo (but it's good for cleaning the wood also!). The cleaner wax can be found at Walmart or any auto parts store. Be sure to post pictures!
John KK4ZLF
Lexington, KY
"illegitimis non carborundum"
Posts: 955
Threads: 8
Joined: Jul 2020
City: Greenlawn
State, Province, Country: NY
Thx Phriends, will do!
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
Posts: 955
Threads: 8
Joined: Jul 2020
City: Greenlawn
State, Province, Country: NY
Started cleaning the Radiola II with hand cleaner. Amazing how much gunk that stuff takes off. Dunno if it was taking the finish, if it was, it helped "blend" it. The front panel is not perfect but much better. The inside and electronics is cleaning up rather nicely (I took the floating socket out and gave it my usual soap down and hand sprayer from the shower. The GE UV712 Audio transformer is actually good! major Plus, it is the one with the round laminated iron core. Will post pix. Amazing, construction wise, this unit is much more professional than the Westinghouse built Radiola III, though the basic circuit is similar. Phone jacks on this re enormous. Unit wired with what looks like 12 or 10 gauge bus wire. Will likely use the shoe polish trick (oxblood) on the cabinet. Pix will follow. Most of my radios do not have fin restored cabinets, but they all work. I expect this one will also. Just hafta find a pair of good 199s (none came with the set.) I may have some laying around.
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
Posts: 1,530
Threads: 95
Joined: May 2008
City: Omak
State, Province, Country: WA
Hello Mr Fixr,
For sure that hand cleaner works great for cleaning a lot diffrent stuff from furniture to clothes to old radio chassis !
Sincerely Richard
P.S. I am currently replacing a power cord and doing some other work on an Arvin model 664A .
Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
|
|
Recent Posts
|
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| From what I read Philco went to using brown rubber power cords in 1936, so cloth was used in the 1935 and earlier models...Arran — 11:25 PM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| Hi Bruce,
I have not worked on an 84, but in general, power cords for almost any radio prior to 1938 was cloth covered...MrFixr55 — 08:34 PM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| OK, well, so after staring at the sch again, I realized the problem had to be the #12/12A padder.
I put a scope on the o...morzh — 08:15 PM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| Hello Bruce,
I mostly use brown far as my cloth powercords go !
Here is the plug that I have used bakelite Acorn style...radiorich — 08:05 PM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| Looking for as correct as can find the right Ac plug an the correct colored cloth line. Ive seen many old photos but mos...Bruce — 04:13 PM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| Rod
Two Y-caps make sense if you use them from L/N to the chassis; this is only makes sense in the transformer radios...morzh — 10:11 AM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| Mike, I'm curious about a specific use of he Y cap. Lately I've seen a single cap across the power transformer primary. ...RodB — 09:01 AM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| hello morzh ,
That sounds like a plan !
Sincerely Richardradiorich — 07:45 AM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| Richard,
It helped some, but I still had the whining when engaging the rear power strip (I did not realize it was fro...morzh — 07:07 AM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| Hello morzh,
Yes , that dreaded hum in my room where i do alighment I have my cable modem and router plus desktop plus ...radiorich — 11:25 PM |
|
Who's Online
|
There are currently 4064 online users. [Complete List]
» 1 Member(s) | 4063 Guest(s)
|
|
|
|
 
|
![[-]](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/bootbb/collapse.png "[-]")
