[OldRestorer]

I have here a fine looking piece of Philco history but I cannot decide whether to strip it or leave it.

I gave it the Gojo but the top left finish is gone. front and sides are great though.

Do I leave it original and just seal the top or should it be redone?

I like original but the top is killing it. I cant just redo the top because it all curves together.

Here it is:

[Phlogiston]

Most people would probably leave it as is. You could touch-up the top, but it would take some custom tinting of the lacquer. Several coats then a wet sanding of the entire cabinet followed by buffing it out.

It is easy to make it look worse attempting this, but it is a common approach for photo finish cabinets and could also be used here.

[morzh]

I'd leave it alone on front and sides.

[jerryhawthorne]

Kirk, if that is bare wood exposed on the top it appears to have a bit of color to it. I would put a small drop of lacquer on it and see what the color looks like. Perhaps they used clear lacquer on the top? If the color is close a touch up spray might help.
Jerry

[OldRestorer]

I will try the lacquer first, then try to match it if that does not work.
If that does not work then I will just leave it for now. I like original and can always refinish it later

Thanks all,
Kirk

[Phlogiston]

When I said , several coats, I meant on the area with the finish missing only. The tint would be to match the yellowing that has occurred to the original finish. BTW, yellow is not good, very little brown in gloss or semi gloss lacquer will do it.

[OldRestorer]

Yes I got that,
We will see how bad I screw this up

Kirk

[Phlogiston]

Here is one I fixed using that process.

   

[OldRestorer]

I matched the color and have added the first layer of new Lacquer

[OldRestorer]

I added a few more coats but was unhappy with the results. I added some toner to the area for a better match and it looks better.

Not happy with the dark color but I wll try sanding it a bit more and see what happens

[sam]

Come on Ron say it to Kirk

[Phlogiston]

You are getting there. Now the trick is to not sand so much as to sand through the original finish. I would have used less toner.

Do you have a high speed buffer (not that Walmart orbital thing)?

Wait a few days before you try to buff it out.

It is going to look much better and still be close to original.

[jerryhawthorne]

Hay Kirk, you are getting there. A little sanding to get the darker area of toner down a bit. It still looks a lot better now than it did.
Jerry

[OldRestorer]

Ok,
I have done the most I can without ruining the originality of the radio cabinet. I am not super excited about it but I like that it it still has that original look. We'll say that it gives it character.

Kirk

[klondike98]

Looks very good Kirk!!!