[Ron Ramirez]

Hi Ed

Nothing high-tech, really; the front panel was about the right color, so I basically left the lighter part of the panel alone. Using blue low-tack painter's masking tape, some newspaper, and an X-Acto knife, I carefully masked off the lighter portion of the front panel.

You need to REALLY be careful with the knife lest you scratch, cut or gouge the wood! Fortunately, the cabinet has grooves at the color borders, making the masking job a bit easier.

I shot two quick coats of Extra Dark Walnut toner on the grille area, and let that dry. Then I masked off the entire front panel and put four or five coats of Extra Dark Walnut on the edges, top and sides to really tone them down.

After an hour or so, I removed all masking tape and newspaper. You don't want to leave the tape on too long. I finished the set in clear gloss Deft overall, with a repro PHILCO decal from Rock-Sea Enterprises. The correct type grille cloth is from Radio Grille Cloth Headquarters.

If I had to do it over again, I think I would have used only one coat, or two lighter coats, of Extra Dark Walnut on the grille area, and Van Dyke Brown on the rest...but it looks pretty good, closely replicating the original factory look...especially considering the "monotone" look it had before.