The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have several cylinder records, both gold moulded and blue amberal. that have difficult to read titles. What do you use to enhance these. I had read somewhere to use a white crayon but found this to be unsatisfactory.

I've heard of folks using white shoe polish with great results.

Disclaimer - I've never tried this!

Sean

I have used 'Liquid Paper' with great results. You just polish lightly any excess and they will look fantastic.

I don't collect wax cylinders, but the following method works for me with Blue Amberols :

Using white gloss paint (I use Humbrol which is favoured by model makers) and a small artist's brush, paint thinly over the lettering then immediately rub over the area lightly with a clean lint free cloth. The lettering will be filled with paint and there will be a very slight haze of paint remaining on the surface. When the paint has thoroughly dried, wipe the surface gently with a clean cloth lightly moistened with white spirit. This will remove the haze but leave the repainted lettering in place.

I honestly cannot distinguish between the cylinders I have treated and those not requiring treatment.

Thanks. I think I have some liquid paper and some white shoe polish somewhere. I know I don't have any model paint but will pick some up if the othesr don't work for me. Thanks again, Jan

Let us know what works best. I've been meaning to try the shoe polish thing on a couple of junk cylinders but it hasn't happened 20 years later

Sean

I've used white crayon as recommended in "The Compleat Talking Machine"edisonplayer

From the 1943-1946 production sheet for producing Ediphone blanks.....The depressed positive lettering on the cylinder is filled with a thick paste of zinc carbonate, the excess of which is brushed or wiped off after drying. I imagine the zinc carbonate is mixed with a little linseed oil, if it worked for filling in (Edison Master Wax) on the title end of the Ediphone blank then it should work on all cylinders I will give it a try too!

Shawn, This is exactly was I had in mind too. As as I can recall, they indeed used that also on the 2-minute wax cylinders. As a little more practical solution, I got myself a tiny tube of opaque white for watercolors, the stuff we used to have in art classes at school. Today, it is usually no longer based on zinc but titanium oxide. The results are quite excellent and it does not appear to make any optical difference. I usually apply it with a cotton swab and let it slightly dry for a few seconds, then carefully wipe off any excessive material with a moistened piece of paper towel - works like a charm for both wax and celluloid. However, I use this very infrequently as it still takes up quite some time...

UPDATE After trying several different products including white out, oil based paint pen, shoe polish, white crayon, I have found something that works really well. I have tried it only on BA's so far and am very pleased with the results. The product is "Apple Barrel 20503E White Matte Acrylic paint quick drying easy clean up". 50 cents a bottle in the craft department at Wally World. I applied it with a Q-tip,waited a couple seconds and wiped off with a damp paper towel. I will try it on some GM's and let you know how it works.