Stain recommendation for 1st style Columbia AT Graphophone?

[Victrolaboy]

I'm planning on completely restoring my Columbia AT. The cabinet needs to be refinished badly but I'm not sure what stain to use to get the color I want. Any suggestions?

[Victrolaboy]

Oops this is supposed to be in the tips and tricks section.

[Phonofreak]

No worries. It's a golden oak stain with a shellac finish. I use Bullseye Orange Shellac. Any good hardware store carries it.
Harvey Kravitz

[Victrolaboy]

I have a large can of Bullseye amber (Orange) shellac sand some golden oak stain so it looks like I'm all set. I originally thought the golden oak stain would be way too light but the Amber shellac will give it a warmer appearence.
Thanks Harvey!

[phonogfp]

I agree with Harvey's recommendation, but with one caveat: only if you use stripper (or sand it down to bare wood).

If you want to try preserving the original color, the remnants of the finish can be removed with denatured alcohol. If you go that route, I'd try a coat of amber shellac without the stain on one side (perhaps the back). If it's too light, you can always strip it off and start over with stain and shellac.

Good luck!

George P.

[Retrograde]

Oops this is supposed to be in the tips and tricks section.

No, you're in the right place. The tips & Tricks section is for offering useful knowledge to others that you've gathered.

[Victrolaboy]

Well I already started stripping it and I've done two of the sides. It already looks much better than it did before! Here's a couple of pictures. I removed the corner columns because they need to be reglued.

[edisonphonoworks]

Good start! You are the future of restorer's and collectors. Keep at it!

[Victrolaboy]

Do you guys think those black spots on the wood shown in the second picture is mold? It's probably just part of the grain but what do you think?

[wjw]

Looks like mold or mildew. I would try diluted bleach or, if that fails, oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is in the cleanser"Barkeepers Friend" or in stronger form from a woodworking supply.Some paint stores used to have it. I used bleach on some messed up mahogany once and had to run it over the whole piece as it lightened the stain noticeably.Hopefully more knowledgeable members will offer their experience.
-Bill