[Patrick]

I know this subject has probably been "phorumed" to death, but I'm still having a hard time understanding the necessity.

At one point in my life, I restored classic cars. These had to LOOK completely original. But if I had to rebuild the radio, not only would it make no difference to the buyer what components I used, but it would not affect the value, either. If I had to use foam rather than "horsehair" in the upholstery. it also made no difference. If I used electronic ignition inside the distributor, it would make no difference. As long as everything "looked" original.

The other day, I started re-stuffing a Bakelite, and then I stopped. And I thought about what I was doing. If I had to re-stuff every cap on every radio I restored, not only would it take me forever to complete one, but would anyone ever appreciate the additional work? I've heard many people say that a radio is not restored, but only refurbished if the underside of the chassis doesn't look original. If I run out of red wire, and use orange instead, is that going to drop the value?

I do like to make the "top" of the chassis original. I leave the aluminum electrolytics, but I won't re-stuff them. But let's be honest. How many buyers are going to remove the chassis? If you're a hobbyist, like I am, I'm not going to buy a "restored" or "refurbished" radio anyway. I want to do the work myself.

So can someone give me the definitive answer as to why some people think, and spend all the extra time, to re-stuff caps when the odds on someone "EVER" noticing, are almost zero?