[OldRestorer]

I got this Philco 42-340 and have begun restoring it. AMAZINGLY it is completely untouched. It even has all the original caps, including the Ecaps.

My issue is this... I have never had a radio that was not in need of full restoration. This one needs work but I am not sure if it needs a full strip and refinish. There is flaking and cracking but these issues can be touched up. I gave it a good cleaning which helped and repaired most of the stress cracks on the curves but am stuck.
I would love to leave it original but think it looks boring. I was thinking a nice walnut on the curves and perfect brown down the front but I would really appreciate your suggestions.
           

[TimC]

I have the same set in pretty much the same condition. I agree the look is a bit drab. I think the grillcloth looks like a potato sack. Same as mine. Changing the grillcloth might give it some pazzaz.

[morzh]

It is a good looking cabinet the way it is. If the original finish looks this good, I think it is worth preserving.

[Warren]

Yea, if the original finish is good, I vote to leave it like that. You could put a few coats of clear gloss over it and rub it out, would make it very nice.

[VntgRads]

I would leave it the way it is as it is a very nice looking radio as it sits. You can always redo it at a later time if desired. Besides, isn't your plate pretty full as it is? LOL

Craig R.

[morzh]

he's a glutton.

Kirk, you need to wean yourself a bit off of that. Why don't you buy a radio with finished cabinet and a bad chassis for a change. WIll do you good.

[OldRestorer]

I have enough easier chassis that I can't do yet. I gotta learn to check coils and tweek things like all you guys do. Many of the radios I have need more than just caps. I have finished my 45 but still get nothing, not a sound. so there is obviously something further wrong than just the caps. I don't even know where to start. Gotta get more reading in before I get I to that. The past owner said he jumped it and it played well but I don't know what the heck that means...

As for the cabinet, if I can't hide the cracking I may just go a bit darker on the curved sides.

[Eliot Ness]

As for the cabinet, if I can't hide the cracking I may just go a bit darker on the curved sides.

Kirk, with cracks like that in the waterfall veneer what are some methods you use to hide it? I consider that issue to usually be remedied by veneer replacement, but if it can be made less noticeable, that would often be preferable.

In your last picture the cracks look less noticeable, not sure if that is the lighting, or if you had done something to the cracked area already.

[gregb]

I have that same radio and there must have been an issue with the ink or paint they used to make the dial glass as every one I have seen have few to no markings left. Luck would have it that Radio Daze makes a really nice repo of that dial glass.

Gregb

[OldRestorer]

I am currently working on the cracks so the picture is the progression of the repairs. As for the dial glass, I paid $30 for the radio and $44 for the dial glass seems quite ridiculous to me. Ill get a scan or something. radiodaze is crazy for asking those prices since there is no one else to go to to get them.

[gregb]

Well again you guys are spoiled down there as I paid more for freight for my radio than you did for your radio.

Gregb

[radiohenry]

Myself I like the used look. To me the radio isn't new so it doesn't need to look new although I can appreciate the work that goes into getting them to look so nice.
Henry

[Arran]

John;
I don't think there really isn't any way to repair veneer cracked across the grain like that short of replacement, just like you said. I know because I have tried, on the sides of a Canadian RCA A-20 years ago, and there they are again. It's a structural problem, something underneath has expanded and cracked the veneer, probably due to improper storage or a design flaw. Once it has cracked it never really goes away because the fibers of the veneer are always under stress right where there wrap around that curve.
Regards
Arran

[Art Hoch]

If it looks that good after 72 years, why not let it rest on its laurels???

[Eliot Ness]

..... I know because I have tried, on the sides of a Canadian RCA A-20 years ago, and there they are again. It's a structural problem, something underneath has expanded and cracked the veneer, probably due to improper storage or a design flaw. Once it has cracked it never really goes away because the fibers of the veneer are always under stress right where there wrap around that curve.

Thanks Arran, that's pretty much what I figured too. I always cringe when I see cracks in that area on cabinets, but we'll see how well Kirk does in blending them in, but like you say I'm afraid that is a short term solution.