11-19-2009, 02:06 AM
Removing the old checkered finish
I had to take the case outside due to the fumes and potential mess. I used an old bed pad over my picnic table to collect whatever runs off. Lots of ethanol, 00 steel wool and elbow grease. I had to use liquid stripper and a putty knife in the seam. Once it was dry, I wiped it down with 0000 steel wool. No sanding. No chance of taking off 70 years of patina. A quick once over with a rag damp with turpentine was the last step.
The finish.
After much thought I decided to use amber shellac and finishing wax. First, the weather outside was not suitable for spraying lacquer and there was no way I would do that in my basement. I don't like spraying outside anyway because I always get dust or grit somewhere. Shellac wipes on and has little if any fumes. Second, the radio was made with a shellac finish and it will end it's useful days with it. Third, French polishing gives a finish I do not believe can be duplicated by any other method and is relatively simple to repair. Forth, finishing wax can protect the shellac. The shellac protects the wood. The finish product is stunning.
The project turned out better than I could have imagined. The hard part now is finding a place to put it. My wife loves the Philco 40-201 in the dining room and there's no room in the living room. Look like the bedroom is the only place left. I will be a tight fit.
I had to take the case outside due to the fumes and potential mess. I used an old bed pad over my picnic table to collect whatever runs off. Lots of ethanol, 00 steel wool and elbow grease. I had to use liquid stripper and a putty knife in the seam. Once it was dry, I wiped it down with 0000 steel wool. No sanding. No chance of taking off 70 years of patina. A quick once over with a rag damp with turpentine was the last step.
The finish.
After much thought I decided to use amber shellac and finishing wax. First, the weather outside was not suitable for spraying lacquer and there was no way I would do that in my basement. I don't like spraying outside anyway because I always get dust or grit somewhere. Shellac wipes on and has little if any fumes. Second, the radio was made with a shellac finish and it will end it's useful days with it. Third, French polishing gives a finish I do not believe can be duplicated by any other method and is relatively simple to repair. Forth, finishing wax can protect the shellac. The shellac protects the wood. The finish product is stunning.
The project turned out better than I could have imagined. The hard part now is finding a place to put it. My wife loves the Philco 40-201 in the dining room and there's no room in the living room. Look like the bedroom is the only place left. I will be a tight fit.
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