Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

RESTORING ZENITH 39A (CABINET FINISHED)
#1

Starting new project , I will post new pictures as progress continues , I thought some of you would like to see how some basic refinish procedures, ask questions I ill try to answer them as time allows me to do so, I thought it would be cool for you guys to  see start to finish in a couple weeks time, this is my radio and I have to get customer stuff done as I do this monster of a cabinet. Sure will look nice when finished, it a fine piece of furniture. 


Attached Files Image(s)
                   
#2

A few more pics


Attached Files Image(s)
                   
#3

Thanks Fred! Very helpful.  What is the putty knife scaping off?
#4

(02-02-2015, 09:45 AM)klondike98 Wrote:  Thanks Fred! Very helpful.  What is the putty knife scaping off?
 In that picture I am stripping the old finish, the stripper and old finish is what in scraping off, going with the grain make sure there are no burrs on the edge of putty knife or you can scratch the wood.
#5

Thanks!  What stripper is it?  In the pic it looked like a coat of paint.
#6

(02-02-2015, 07:38 PM)klondike98 Wrote:  Thanks!  What stripper is it?  In the pic it looked like a coat of paint.

It is sprayed on, stripper I got at lowes and forgot the name of it, maybe called crown stripper ,comes in spray can.
#7

Zenith coming along , some of you guys wanting more info on cabinet refinishing, ill do my best to show some things on how I do my refinishing. I use Mohawk products.


Attached Files Image(s)
                   
#8

Thanks Fred for taking time to post the progress of refinish. I'm always looking for how to get that really nice original look. And I need lots of practice. Great work!!
#9

That's gorgeous. Is it my imagination, or are the four panels shaded around the outside?
#10

(02-04-2015, 05:33 PM)Alan Douglas Wrote:  That's gorgeous.  Is it my imagination, or are the four panels shaded around the outside?

Yes I did some air brush shading on cabinet, that will give it an antique look even though its has bran new finish, and I added some recent pictures showing cabinet and parts with 2 coats of sanding sealer, these will be sanded again using 600 or so grit sandpaper dry. then I will be ready for the top coats of clear, 6 coats should be enough, and im thinking of doing piano high gloss finish since this was a high end set , maybe just the top and rest a semi gloss, what do you guys think, high gloss and buffed or semi gloss ? This zenith will look like when finished as if you had it delivered to your house back in 1929. It is an antique radio still even with new finish, just the finish is new, done correctly you cant lose . That finish should look factory or better than factory. It will look like a new antique radio.


Attached Files Image(s)
           
#11

 I would go with a buffed out gloss lacquer since that's likely what it had to begin with. I've seen some consoles from that era with a good all original finish, and that was how they looked.
Regards
Arran
#12

call me crazy Icon_crazy
but I like the antique  flee bitten look  not glossy or new look
after all they are antique no ?
sam

Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this justice as a gift
mafiamen2
#13

Looks great Fred!
#14

(02-05-2015, 05:15 AM)sam Wrote:  call me crazy Icon_crazy
but I like the antique  flee bitten look  not glossy or new look
after all they are antique no ?
sam

They are old, maybe vintage, but not antique, that would mean they would have to be over 100 years old and these have a few decades to go before that happens. Even if they were over 100 they were mass produced in a factory, and if the finish was ruined to begin with a proper refinishing job doesn't hurt the historical or monetary value in any way.
Regards
Arran
#15

I am now almost finished with the zenith 39a cabinet, have decided to go with semi gloss finish with the exception of the large cover that's opens to view the radio, that will be  a piano high gloss finish that will be a smooth as the finish on a Rolls Royce, that I still need to do , have to wait about a week to rub out and buff top. I think I did good on my toning and color . I did some air brush toning to give the new finish a antique look, that's resembles the old colors but with a bran new look, also adding some of my special touches that really bring out the design of the cabinet , now I will get radio playing soon and all cleaned up and put her in the museum. I will post pics when all done . Fred Taylor  Icon_eek  


Attached Files Image(s)
                   




Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
Philco 46-420 Code 121 Reception issues
Welcome Eric, I agree with Bob and far as the two main electrolytic filter capacitors did you change them yourself or w...radiorich — 11:43 PM
Philco 46-420 Code 121 Reception issues
You mentioned the Philco manual and going through the check points...just to be sure we're on the same page here's the m...klondike98 — 08:13 PM
Philco 42-1008 conversion kit
Interesting. I haven't seen that before.klondike98 — 07:02 PM
12' Philco
Yes I had looked for it on the web as well some time back and could not find it. I was glad to see it turned up in Ron'...klondike98 — 06:59 PM
Shadow Meter Bulb
Now if you had a set with a tuning light then the bulb type is important to the circuit, some sets used those prior to t...Arran — 04:58 PM
Shadow Meter Bulb
Ok. Thanks for the correction.RossH — 03:09 PM
Model 28L
For 28 you will probably need to buy a Hammond 125CSE. Or any of the series of the power you need, with SE suffix. Then ...morzh — 02:09 PM
37-60 revision 6
I am restoring a Philco 37-60 and it shows run 6 they removed the ground from G3 of the 6K7G and put the G3 to -2.5v for...bobbyd1200 — 01:01 PM
Shadow Meter Bulb
Mike is correct on the bulb connection, two separate circuits. I found that by rotating the bulb and sliding it forward ...RodB — 12:19 PM
Hickok AC51 tube tester
Cleaned ann contacts, switches and sockets, works great now.martinj — 11:32 AM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently 6038 online users. [Complete List]
» 4 Member(s) | 6034 Guest(s)
AvatarAvatarAvatarAvatar

>