The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Many years ago, this machine had been donated to a local museum in Pawhuska, OK, in non-working condition. It was in storage when a smoldering fire occurred. The machine survived, but is coated with soot. I have volunteered to refurbish this machine so that it can be used for demonstration and display.

So far, I have disassembled the machine and cleaned the nickel parts with Scrubbing Bubbles, steel wool, and a soft wire brass brush. To my astonishment they cleaned up really well! I tried some GoJo on the motor board and back bracket, and the results look promising.

Bob S.

You did a great job of cleaning it up. It is surprising how nice the decals on the back bracket came out.
Pete

The humpback II is one of my favorite Victor machines, mainly for the appearance as the proportions are very nice. It should turn out to be a great display piece...

This is the case after three cleanings. GoJo is such a wonderful tool.
Something that I didn't realize, was how bad the machine would smell, once I re-emulsified the soot.
My hands and clothes now smell like I have been thru a fire!
Meguiar's worked wonders on the back bracket.

Looking really good!!

The Tag was problematic, as it seemed to fare worst due to the fire.
I used antique clock face silvering powder to re-plate the tag, followed by black lacquer,
steel wool, and then a coating of satin Deft to seal it. I think that it came out quite well.

I really like these informative posts regarding restoration techniques and products. The ID tag looks awesome. I have never used the clock face silvering powder. How do you use it? Do you have to strip the plate down and polish it first?
Ken

Really impressive re-animation. Well done! Could you please elaborate a bit more on the restoration of the ID tag. I am especially interested in the way you applied the silver and afterwards the black lacquer. It looks really great.

Thanks
Andreas

Bob,
Thanks for sharing your restoration, great job as always. It was good to see you at Union and meeting your daughters.

Please share more on the tag restoration, where to you get the silver powder?
You plate first and then spray with black. How do you get the black back off the letters, with steel wool or what?

Looks like you would rub into some of the base black, how do you avoid this?

Thanks, David & Lerria

Beautiful job. Minimal alteration and maximum improvement. I love it when they come out looking well preserved and well cared for rather than new. Will you use the Meguiar's on the horn too?