Howards Restore-A-Finish ??

[wjw]

Ha!

[celticguitar666]

My 2 cents for what they are worth
I find if the finish is in good shape with minimal damage or checking in the finish a good cleaning with Lemon oil usually will make it quite acceptable and besides will these machines be seen in really bright light except at shows? I prefer the low light ambiance of when these machines were new in the room. Sitting quietly listening to music by the glow of a kerosene lamp or the dial light of the radiola. So unless it is glaringly apparent at 20 feet in candle light enjoy
I used Formbeys years ago when I didn't know better but that was also when antiquing was the rage so alot nice furniture get ruined by that did not like the Formbeys much either so that's when I just cleaned and oiled it really helps that dried wood(waiting for comments) Museum pieces don't sound better
Any way everyone has their preferences and needs so each their own. Mine look good enough to me and the preserved the old finish is the better isn't that the rule? I have also used resto finish with ok results still a good cleaning then oil My guitars like it! This being said is not for finishes that have been Ice Skated on! or pickled or been at the bottom of the sea or painted
cheers
Dwight

[fmblizz]

Believe it or not reamalgamating is no simple task and requires a learning curve to get the correct results.
You can easily do alot more damage to the machine if your technique is not quite right.

I would not hesitate to use Howards on a machine if it improved the look. As others have said try it in an inconspicuous area and make your own determination. It certainly does not hurt or do irreversable damage.

Personally I feel a couple members on this board go a little over board in trying to protect the orginality of these machine. Thats all fine and dandy up to a point.. Most collector do not own rare one of a kind machines.. 98% of the machines available for sale can be purchased any time, any day of the week for the simple reason that they are not rare and in fact some models are actually plenty full.

Remember the machine is going to sit in your house so brighten it up for lack of a better term but try to never do anything to it that can't be reversed unless absolutely necessary.

blizz

[martinola]

Believe it or not reamalgamating is no simple task and requires a learning curve to get the correct results...
...Most collector due not own rare one of a kind machines.. 98% of the machines available for sale can be purchased any time, any day of the week for the simple reason that they are not rare and in fact some models are actually plenty full.

I think fmblizz is right but would like to point out that since reamalgamation does involve a learning curve, it is best to try it on common machines before trying to use it on something rare or one of a kind. It is something you'd only want to do on an almost hopeless finish. Many collectors have been and will be satisfied with the results from Restore-A-Finish. Like anything else, it all depends on the circumstances and care with which it is used.

Best Wishes,
Martin

[Henry]

Good suggestion, Martin. Alternatively, you could try it on some ordinary piece of furniture, and not risk messing up even a common machine. I amalgamated a maple chest of drawers with Formsby's and it came out really nice.