[Groundhog74]

Been a good while since I’ve posted. My interests settled in on the 1920’s stuff. But I thought the Philco Pholks would be interested. Before and after cleanup. Afraid to go much farther. Worried about the paint integrity. 
How do I get the speaker open?

Local find.

[RodB]

I did a 514 awhile back. The paint was durable. It had been stored in a garage for many years and was thick with crud with rust. I used several cleaners and the one that worked best was gojo. After the cleaning I buffed with a very light oil to slow the rust. On the speaker, I had an RCA 100 which looks similar. The front and rear sections rotated about a half inch and I could pull them off. I posted photos of the finished restoration and you might be able to find them.

[Groundhog74]

I had an issue with the Orange hand cleaner. Whatever that black crud all over the radio and speaker is, the Orange or GoJo would not cut it. In a seam on the lid, I put some orange cleaner and let it sit a while to hopefully dissolve the crud. It started dissolving the paint. So Orange cleaner no more. I tried a few different things and finally Mothers Chrome polish cut the crud easily. But, it would, if used too aggressively, cut through the paint. Then I GoJo’ed it again to get off any residue. Let it dry and waxed it. 

I used fast Orange, no pumice. Never again on any painted surface.

[Groundhog74]

That 514 turned out great.

[RodB]

The owner was so moved she cried when she came to pick it up.

[Groundhog74]

That’s cool

[GarySP]

That Fast Orange bottle says it has pumice in it. That's probably why it started cutting the paint. That a fine abrasive. Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary

[Groundhog74]

The jug I bought was non-pumice. I’m always very careful to get non abrasive cleaner. 
All I can figure is something about the “citrus” (or whatever it really is) in it is acidic. 

The Goop/GoJo must not be acidic at all.

[radiorich]

Hello Groundhog74,
I had have similar issues using that type so I only use goop/gojo .
I bet that black spots might be paint over spray !

Sincerely Rich
P.S.
welcome back !

[Groundhog74]

It could be paint, but it’s built up pretty thick in corners and crevasses. I thought maybe coal dust? Very black. The splatter from using the chrome polish landed on my white plastic table. Now it’s stained and I can’t get it off of it. 

Alien poop?

[radiorich]

hello Groundhog74,
you might be right about that coal dust !
I remember seeing that in some basements where they had coal fired furnace .