HMV 118 (?) on Craigslist

[gramophoneshane]

I haven't checked it out in person obviously, but it does appear to be painted to me. It looks like the paint has gone around the edge of the underside of the lid, and no wood grain appears to be present anywhere but on the rest of the underside of the lid where the decal is. The needle compartment also seems to match the colour of the cabinet, which I think is a good indication the whole thing has been over painted at some stage.

[Steve]

Well let's just hope that someone from this board sees sense and snaps it up instead of simply talking about it!

Maybe then we'll get to know definitely if it's been refinished or not. Place bets now!

[AZ*]

Upon closer examination, the case appears to have been painted with brown paint.

did you get to check it out in person to make that determination? just curious, because the seller seems confident enough that the cabinet retains its original finish and has never been painted.

brian

Fair question, Brian.

I can make this statement with 100% authority since I did see the machine in person on Wednesday afternoon. As Shane has correctly noted, there is brown paint even in areas such as the needle compartment. There is also brown paint on the metal clips that hold the carry handle, the hinge and even the base of the tonearm. The seller was very enthusiastic about the machine, but not as knowledgeable. And yes, I bought it from him.

This machine will take some effort to restore, but I'm confident that it can be returned to acceptable condition. I've done it before, for example, with a basket-case HMV 113 that I restored in 2007. If anyone has or knows of decent photos of an HMV 118, I would appreciate it if you could share them with me. I have Dave Cooper's book, so I've seen the tiny image on page 101, but it really isn't much to go on.

But lastly, if anyone wants this machine for the $4000 quoted earlier, I might be persuaded to part with it.

[Steve]

This machine will take some effort to restore, but I'm confident that it can be returned to acceptable condition. I've done it before, for example, with a basket-case HMV 113 that I restored in 2007. If anyone has or knows of decent photos of an HMV 118, I would appreciate it if you could share them with me. I have Dave Cooper's book, so I've seen the tiny image on page 101, but it really isn't much to go on.

AZ, as I said earlier in this thread, I do own a complete unrestored 114 in completely original and as good a condition as these machines will ever likely turn up. It is identical to the 118 apart from the position of the lid hinges (114 has the lid hinged on the conventional short side like a 102 etc). I'll try and take some photos of it and send them to you or add them here. It might take me a few days though. These should give you an idea of what your restored 118 should look like when finished.

Very smart purchase btw. I doubt you'll ever spot another one!

HTH

Steve

[AZ*]

AZ, as I said earlier in this thread, I do own a complete unrestored 114 in completely original and as good a condition as these machines will ever likely turn up. It is identical to the 118 apart from the position of the lid hinges (114 has the lid hinged on the conventional short side like a 102 etc). I'll try and take some photos of it and send them to you or add them here. It might take me a few days though. These should give you an idea of what your restored 118 should look like when finished.

Thanks, Steve. That would be very much appreciated. I think I can come close to matching the overall color of the finish based on the unpainted portions inside the lid and under the turntable. My main concern is getting the contrasting bands right.

[Steve]

My main concern is getting the contrasting bands right.

Hey, you know that shouldn't be too difficult given that the bands were originally BLACK!

I did restore a 114 some years ago and (like yourself now) I was forced to strip and refinish the whole of the outer case. When it came to the black bandings, I simply masked off the wood-grain natural finish areas and primed and spray painted the area of ebonised strips with MATT black paint. This was carried out before the stain and polish areas were done to prevent damage occuring to the new (and soft) french polish with masking tape! The idea was to then clear lacquer over the whole of the cabinet once that the areas of french polish had also been completed. These machines were originally polished and then lacquered over. Some simply had a pigmented lacquer to start with. Clear lacquer over matt black paint gives the effect of a slightly faded colour (matt black is never as dark as high gloss obviously) whilst preserving the overall integrity of the finish with a deep shine without the unsympathetic look of the use of a heavy black gloss finish.

[AZ*]

Thanks for the tips, Steve. My only point of reference was the small picture in Cooper's book where the HMV 118 is shown in varying shades of brown.

I will experiment, probably with some type of dye-tinted lacquer. I won't start until the fall when the weather cools down.

[gramophoneshane]

AZ, before you hit it with the paint stripper, you might want to try giving it a wipe-over with a cloth dampened with alcohol. I've had a few pieces of furniture over the years that looked like they were painted with a cheap fence paint or a brown paint wash, and alcohol has just wiped it straight off, leaving the original finish completely intact. Even many modern flat water based paints will desolve with alcohol, and often a lot quicker than the shellac or lacquer underneath.
There may not be much of the original finish left, but there might be enough to save, or at least see the colour of the stripes so you know the colour & look you're aiming to replicate.

[AZ*]

Good advice Shane.

I was thinking along similar lines. I usually start out gentle with alcohol and/or lacquer thinner, and only resort to the harsher strippers when those don't cut it. I haven't tested the paint yet, so I'm not sure whether it's water or oil based.

[Steve]

You might also try mineral spirits (methylated spirit). I've been amazed what that can break down and clean off! If the surface of the machine retains original lacquer, the meths will not harm it.