The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

That sure is a thing of beauty!

Sean

Wyatt, great tutorial -- as always! And that beautiful mahogany sheen... [heart emoji]

That is one of the hardest finish issues to fix and you have done a superb job! I reamalgimate the old finish with buturyl celusolve myself and sometimes still have to overspray with lacquer or shellac but there are a hundred ways to restore old finishes .

I am very much against over coating with 2lb-cut shellac because the alcohol content can really mess with the repaired areas..... it dissolves surrounding finish and can create edge crusts of color. The trick.... is to pour some shellac into a jar or can and let it sit for a few minutes to let some of the alcohol evaporate out of it. Makes it slightly thicker, but less harmful to work with. I'd considered making an impression of a decent alligatored finish with body filler, then I could press it into new finish as it is 70% cured.... taking the impression and helping match it to the surrounding original areas. I've done all sorts of crazy stuff.... even rubbing with coarse brown paper or newspaper to matte down a finish without polishing it.... which is what steel wool and oil would do. But that is for small area repairs. Large items such as doors are much trickier. I won't be able to add alligator ito these, but I'll definitely matte them down more.... maybe with tinted furniture wax.

this is real good information and you are doing a superb job. I wish I could come close. I am in the process of restoring aa standard that has a case in sad shape. With all the scratches , dents, splits in the wood and dings plus missing the bottom I have just started the refinish job. I will post some pics. The base plate came out nice. It needs motor work and I may have screwed up the governor trying to take it apart. Oh well more parts might be needed. Tom B.

The severe "pebbling" of the finish was caused by excessive rubbing oil being used at the factory. More oil makes the finish easier to rub out but will incorporate into the shellac then separate later, much like oil and vinegar. These "pebbles" are quite hard and will not flow out if you try re-amalgamating the finish. All you can do is remove the finish and start over.
You did a beautiful job on the restoration. Keep up the great work!
Roy