Help on Victor IV case

[ambrola]

I just put a wood horn on this Victor 4. As you can see, it makes the machine look terrible. Now I don't mind at all keeping this machine original, as I only paid 650.00 for it. I got the horn from Eduardo, (Peru) you see on eBay for 695.00. So 1350.00 for a wood horn machine that don't look so great. All the stripping on the back bracket is gone also. I have new water slides to put on. Should I strip the finish off, and stain with MinWax then shellac? I would like to get a mirror finish on the cabinet. This picture shows it at its worse.

[ambrola]

Heres another,

[52089]

The first thing I would do is take that machine off that really nice looking XVII or XVIII you have it on. If you must put it on top of a machine, put in on something easily replaced like an X or XI, or better yet, find a separate home for it.

As for the machine itself, IMHO,it would be a crime to strip and refinish it. I am personally put off by the "mirror finish" (as you put it) on a restored machine. I think that makes them "over restored", but of course you are entitled to your opinion as well.

I would suggest a light cleaning with GoJo/Goop/Kotton Klenser, and then a good paste wax, and that's it.

[Jerry B.]

If you have not already so, I would disassemble the case and clean with Kotton Klenser before you consider a refinish. Sometimes we are our harshest critic. After reading your post but before seeing your photos I expected more of a contrast between the horn and cabinet. Both appear to be a nice red mahogany so maybe a good cleaning will please you. Jerry Blais

[Dave]

Get it cleaned up first..then if you're not satisfied with the results...you can always go the refinish route.
Might not look so "terrible",as you put it.. after a good going over.

[ambrola]

Thanks Guys. I will try to clean it with Suddsy Ammonia. I have used that stuff all my phono days, and it is the best cleaner you can get. Its just hard to get. Who knows, maybe the finish is under there? I don't have a lot of knowledge on Mahogany finishes.
Oh yea, I do need to get it off my XVII. I would hate to scratch the lid.

[martinola]

Hi Amberola!

That's a nice Victor IV. For what it's worth, here are some things I'd consider doing in order of priority:

I. Clean the case with Kotton Kleanser/GoJo and wax (I might even be tempted to pop off the ID plate and do a very careful wet/dry sand with 600 grit and mineral oil, then a careful polishing with polishing compound or rottonstone. (Not all the way to mirror but to a luster.) If it has faded a bit much, a colored wax such as a red tone Kiwi shoe polish will beef up the red but be reversible.

II. Here's one that I'd really consider: dull down the finish on the horn with 0000 steel wool. I know it's really pretty and what the finish looked like as new, but the mis-match is the real culprit here. I really think that if you sweeten-up the original finish and then back-off the shine of the reproduction horn, you'll have a more pleasing balance. It would be a shame for a reproduction part to drive the loss of an original finish, if the finish can be saved.

III. If it still doesn't look right, I'd then consider doing a re-amalgamation of the original finish. If at that point it still needed some additional red, it could be introduced into a couple of coats of shellac with aniline dye. By carefully building up the coats of new shellac on top of the old, you'll have a surface that could be finish-sanded and polished to a very shiny surface.

IV. If none of this works, then a total strip and refinish would be my last resort. The thing is: you can do all of this and it still may not match the horn.


I'd simply take it slowly and see what looks like the best compromise. What ever you end up doing, I hope it goes well and I'd like to see your progress.

Best Regards,

Martin

[ambrola]

Thanks Martin. Its the front of the cabinet that's really bad. I think you are right about cleaning it. I am going to strip the parts off the cabinet, and use suddsy to clean it before anything else. I will put pics on after I do that and get opinions.

[Jerry B.]

I did a quick search for using ammonia on wood finishes and it looked like is was strongly discouraged. Is there something different about sudsy ammonia? I prefer Kotton Klenser but GoJo without pumice is fine also. Jerry

[ambrola]

I did a quick search for using ammonia on wood finishes and it looked like is was strongly discouraged. Is there something different about sudsy ammonia? I prefer Kotton Klenser but GoJo without pumice is fine also. Jerry

I do not like gojo. It leaves everything greasy. Suddsy Ammonia is watered down Ammonia with soap in it. You have to wipe carefully, or it will take the finish off. But I have used it for years, and really like it. I sometimes dilute even more with water. I will probably do that on this one.