[Ron Ramirez]

Hi

Answers to your questions:

1) Is any of the cabinet made from Photo Finish Material? My "inexperience" shows .. How can you test for Photo Finish vs Veneer?
Short answer - no, Philco did not photofinish on any of its cabinets in 1932. I'll leave the long answer of how to tell the difference to others, it would take me too long to explain.

2) The front dial faceplate area has the PHILCO decal. I don't know if I can gently strip / remove- and reseal a new one with laquer-- or is this on "Photo Finish
Some people have tried that in the past, not always with good results. The good news is, Radio Daze has recently corrected their PHILCO decals and their DCL-PH8 now looks like the original, so it would be easier to strip the entire front panel and apply a new decal before applying the final coats of clear lacquer. The finish will look better, also.

3) After I clean -strip the wood with 50/50 Thinner-Acetone - Is a Mohawk clear laquer apropriate to get original colors back or possibly a coat of light translucent brown? The posts columns are two-tone --would similar treatment work?
Clear lacquer won't bring back the coloring; only tinted lacquer will do that. Medium Walnut overall, or Perfect Brown if you want it a shade darker than Medium Walnut. Maison Brown on the dark areas.

4) Dial-- I have white moldy film on the dial. Can this be cleaned with mineral spirits?
Yes, mineral spirits is a recommended solution for cleaning translucent Philco dial scales. Don't apply a lot of pressure while rubbing, else the numbers will still come off slightly. And don't use water or any other solution or the numbers may come off completely!