This is my first post here. I have a Philco 16B Tombstone (pictured in Ron's Philco book on page 45 - lower left hand corner). Someone stripped this one prior to my getting it and they refinished it in light stains. I am looking to restore it to its original color combination. What were the original stain colors/shades used on it? Is there a picture that shows all sides of the tombstone cabinet, with correct finish, that someone can point me to?
Thanks,
Terry
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Kind regards,
Terry
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"Life is simpler when you plow around the stump."
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In finishing cabinets when new, stains were not used Tinted lacquers were used to get the coloring and shading on the cabinets Philco tended to use veneers only on the control panel, and when we refinish them, that part works out well with staining. But, on the whitewood parts of the cabinet, you will need to use a coat of clear lccquer as a sealer, then lay on coats of tinted lacquer a few times to get the finish to the color you want. The 16 tombstone in question is an interesting exercise in doing this. I've done it, and could fool even a Philco expert
The problem always is that whatever you tell someone to do to get a job done, somebody else has a "better" way, and would never go to all the trouble to do the job and have it come out properly.
In Ron's book, both of my 116B cabinets shown were finished from cabinets that had been stripped totally bare. They aren't original.
Doug:
Hello again!
Thanks for the great information. I'll keep it in mind as I progress through the restoration.
BR,
Terry