Clean and Preserve Amberola C V1 case

[jpkira]

Most of my Edison's I restore [?] by stripping staining and then use polyurethane to persevere. But this machine - because it is relatively rare due of loss of most in factory fire - I would rather NOT do anything like that. The case has almost no dings or cracks or splinters - other in really nice condition - but its fading. It did have some warpage on rear panel. I would like to CLEAN it carefully and then PRESERVE the original finish. NO STAIN. Any ideas?

[jpkira]

Thanks for the feedback. I assume no one left here who restores or preserves cabinets. Like most things now a days real craftmanship is dead. So sad.

[Curt A]

Pictures of what you are dealing with would help. Also, no one who "restores" phonographs would use polyurethane finishes - just sayin'...

[JerryVan]

Thanks for the feedback. I assume no one left here who restores or preserves cabinets. Like most things now a days real craftmanship is dead. So sad.

You can't expect answers to, "how do you clean and preserve" this finish, when you don't take the time and initiative to post a picture of the finish you wish to preserve.

[BigC]

I completely agree with the other members. Pictures are more valuable than a description. Many of us are trying to bring back some of the old ways of finishing phonographs. If you read some of the old post you could get a lot of ideas on refinishing. Polyurethane is a great finish for furniture but like my mentor said shellac is what was used on most phonographs. You can watch some videos on YouTube that are super informative too.

[jpkira]

No thanks - I want my work to last - the people I GIVE them to can't hurt them when poly coated. Pictures have nothing to do with this - its original should be enough for anyone familiar with the machine. To each his own. I will find someone who knows how to restore without removing original finish. Sorry I bothered you all! Won't happen again!

[JerryVan]

Sorry I bothered you all! Won't happen again!

Okay. You're the expert. Don't know why you bothered to ask. Goodby...

[jpkira]

I asked for an opinion and only got grief from the "experts" here. Thank you!

[JerryVan]

I asked for an opinion and only got grief from the "experts" here. Thank you!

What you got was good advice, but not the advice you wanted to hear.

[Curt A]

Ask questions, expect immediate answers and then get offended when you don't agree??? I don't know what you were looking for, but it certainly wasn't an "opinion"...