The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello, all!

I am trying to clean the gold plate on a 1915-built Victrola that I have. There is a crusty black and brown coating sitting on top of the gold plate, and it needs to come off, so that I can assess whether the original plating is still good or not. So far, the coating only seems to come off when I pick at it with my finger nail; neither alcohol nor ammonia seem to dissolve the coating. Would any of you know what the composition of the protective coating Victor put on top of it's gold plate is, and how to remove it without damaging the gold plate underneath?

Garret

Humm. I am wondering if somebody has put some sort of extra coating on it at some time in the past. Usually the grunge comes right off with amonia.

Clay

I think Jerry covers this in detail in our "Tech & Tips" section.