How would you approach this finish ?

[hearsedriver]

This is a 1914 VV-IV with lots of flaking of the finish as shown. I prefer not to strip and refinish it, What would be the best way to approach saving the original finish (or lack thereof)? Thanks, Cliff

[MidMich]

If it is shellac, wad up a cloth and put denatured alcohol on it. Rub it on a small section and see if it starts to blend in. That finish is in bad shape, but you may be able to blend/redo it using the french wipe method. Many links on the web about how to do this. I think that a couple of companies actually offer a refinishing product in the can for this, Formby's ? The French method will melt/soften the old shellac and add new to the surface and blend them together.
Jeff

[martinola]

Hi Cliff.

I'll echo what Jeff says and interject that I think the Formby's method is more of a re-finish (as it melts off all of the top layers and supposedly leaves only the stain). I used it in the late 1970's and noticed that it removed too much of the color for my taste. I also didn't care for the look of the Tung oil varnish compared with the original shellac.

I had finishes in a similar condition to yours that responded well to re-amalgamation (with denatured alcohol) and application of new shellac. Here's a link to what I ended up doing:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 14&p=48339

If you don't mind spending the time, you have little to lose in experimenting. Good luck and let us know how your project is going.

Regards,
Martin

[hearsedriver]

Thanks for the tips! Martin, your turned out wonderful! Mine is definitely shellac. Ive used butyl cellosolve on crazed lacquer finished before with decent results. I'll give the denatured alcohol a try. Once I start this project, I'll start a new restoration thread. This player is borderline basket case so, it will take a lot of work.

[52089]

There is a product called Howard Restor-a-Finish that combines tint/stain, alcohol, and perhaps some shellac-like finish. It's fine for minor touch-ups, scratch cover, and so on. Your case seems to show a lot of bare wood, so I would probably be hesitant to use it on that. Nonetheless, it might be worth experimenting in a hidden area.

[gramophone-georg]

Thanks for the tips! Martin, your turned out wonderful! Mine is definitely shellac. Ive used butyl cellosolve on crazed lacquer finished before with decent results. I'll give the denatured alcohol a try. Once I start this project, I'll start a new restoration thread. This player is borderline basket case so, it will take a lot of work.

From what I have seen of your other work you'll do just great. For an undertaker, you sure are good at bringing stuff back to life. Isn't that sort of being a traitor to your profession?

[hearsedriver]

Thanks for the tips! Martin, your turned out wonderful! Mine is definitely shellac. Ive used butyl cellosolve on crazed lacquer finished before with decent results. I'll give the denatured alcohol a try. Once I start this project, I'll start a new restoration thread. This player is borderline basket case so, it will take a lot of work.

From what I have seen of your other work you'll do just great. For an undertaker, you sure are good at bringing stuff back to life. Isn't that sort of being a traitor to your profession?

Yes.I guess it is!