[mikethedruid]

I just bought this 37-61. The photofinish is worn, but I would like to try to salvage what is there than strip and try to replicate it. I am thinking of using oil paints since I am rather familiar with those, but I would like to hear any suggestions from the experts here. This is what it looks like now. The cabinet is solid, and the sides and top look pretty good, nothing a clean with Gojo won't fix there.

[Image: http://41.media.tumblr.com/6a76edc01b52c...1_1280.jpg]

[ccomer1955]

These guys make a 37-61. Don't know how you feel about them.


http://www.vintageradiolabels.com/refaux-pro.html

[mikethedruid]

Thanks ccomer1955 ! I just ordered the set for my radio. I watched the video they have on YouTube, and this seems the perfect solution to this problem. What a great resource !

[ccomer1955]

I've never used them, but I've always thought they could be a good deal. Others here might have more personal experience with their decals. If you use them, be sure to post some pictures of the after look.

[Ron Ramirez]

I saw one on a 37-620B that Kirk had for sale at Kutztown last weekend.

It looked pretty good. Not perfect, but pretty darn good. A bit reddish, I thought, but still much better than a stripped photofinish.

[leftwing25]

Ron RamirezI saw one on a 37-620B that Kirk had for sale at Kutztown last weekend.

It looked pretty good. Not perfect, but pretty darn good. A bit reddish, I thought, but still much better than a stripped photofinish.

Have to agree with Ron on all points here.  I bought that radio from Kirk, and that decal was one of the selling points for me. It looks great to me and I wouldn't hesitate to use one on any radio of mine that needed new photofinish.  Of course like anything, these things are all subjective to the individual eye. ED

[mikethedruid]

I wonder if the somewhat reddish appearance may be because the original finishes have darkened with age. I know it happens with other finishes as the varnish yellows, so perhaps the decals are closer to what the radios looked like new than we realize. At any rate, I have ordered a set from Tony at Re-Faux Pro, and will let you see how it works out in a thread recording my work using the Re-Faux process. Tony has been very helpful and is a great guy to do business with.

[Hank G]

mikethedruid, have you tried the Re-Faux Pro label on your 37-61. I have a 37-640 which needs one and I am wondering what finish to put on before appling the label, in the video he sprays water on the surface first. I am wondering if the surface needs to water proof, a water resistant sanding sealer or simular. I am waiting to see if the rest of the cabinet shapes up before I order it.
Thanks Hank

[KCMike]

Hank. I have a Philco 37-610 that I used the rerpro decal on. I'm on a new laptop and don't have the pics on it. I will post my results tomorrow. After stripping and sanding the old off. I did as per directions and used lacquer on the unfinished surface. The decal will not adhere to a porous surface.
Then used micro set before wetting with water and applying the decal. It came out pretty good and yes a little reddish.
I did what your suggesting and refinished the cabinet before ordering the decal kit.

[mikethedruid]

Yes, it was the Re-Faux Pro decals that I ordered. Sadly, Tony had not had a 37-61 cabinet to use for measurements when he first made the decals. The first set I got were a little bit off in their vertical size, and didn't align perfe3ctly on the grill work where it curves. I ended up sending Tony my cabinet so he could use it to correct the 37-61 decals. This he has done, and I have my cabinet back and the new decals, but I now must wait until spring and warmer weather before I apply them. I keep my house too cold for varnishing in the winter, not to mention the fumes. I don't want to apply the decals only to have the cabinet sit, ans possibly get scratched or damaged before I can protect it with varnish. I'll let you all know how it comes out, with pictures, once I finish it. Actually, I can hardly wait, because the electronics are all ready to install, and working beautifully.

[KCMike]

 As promised here are a few photos of the 37-610. Before and after. You will note one spot that looks like a scratch it happened  i guess when I was sliding the decal off the backing paper.
  http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/220koh...m.jpg.html
http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/220koh...o.jpg.html
After. I have not added Philco decal or final lacquer. It got too cold to work out side.
http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/220koh...m.jpg.html
http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/220koh...s.jpg.html

[Hank G]

Photos look good, I think I will order a decal for mine now. I am wondering if a certain shade of toned lacquer could be applied to reduce the redness and not darken the appearance too much?. Maybe too risky for a first try.
Hank

[KCMike]

I'm sure you can do it. That was my first attempt with a large decal. It will come as a three piece set for that size cabinet. Just take your time on the prep work and follow directions and have everything ready when you immerse the decal so you don't have to look for something while working.
Maybe someone on here will have an idea on toning down the tint. Good luck.

[mikethedruid]

Hi Hank,
I have not yet applied my new, revised decals to my 37-61 since it is too cold in my house to do so. They come as 2 decals for the actual re-faux, and another with the Philco name to be applied after the others dry. You have to carefully match and meet the two decals. This video explains the process.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iQlyYOK1zU]

Best of luck with it. I will be anxious to see your results. I have already gone through the process once with the earlier set of 37-61 type decals, and, had they been the right size vertically they would have been fine.
[Image: http://40.media.tumblr.com/d166a5d77f267...o3_500.jpg]

The little imperfections came from having to move the decal around while wet to try to get the various elements of the design to line up properly. As you can see, the vertical light trim that runs up the center of the vertical ribs is too long, and the dark curved lines that run up the curved ribs fall too low because of this. This is what Tony should have corrected using my cabinet for reference. The new, revised ones should be fine.

[KCMike]

Mike I think it depends on the size of the cabinet. Mine was a 37-610 and it had two side decals and one that went across the bottom plus the philco name decal.