The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Got a call the other day from Robert, the owner of the machine. He had been out of the country the last couple weeks, and hadn't gotten a chance to get back with me. Anyway, I went and picked it up Saturday. His father was the original owner, and it was given to him in 1925 as a wedding present. He inherited it when his father passed, and his wife, about 30 years ago, painted it to match the decor of her room. This is the first time it's left his family since it was new. They are both in their early 80's, and are moving to Florida, and are trying to minimize what they have to move.

All in all, it's complete. The gold plating is good, save for the tonearm crook, and the needle tin holder. Not bad, but not as good as the rest. The motor needs servicing, I can get about 40-42 cranks in before it goes "whump-whump-whump", and it doesn't really have the energy to play a 12" record without winding it halfway through. It sounds quite good, actually.

He said he used a Minwax paint on it back when it was painted, and it seems it's bonded to the original lacquer quite well, so a full strip is going to be needed. This will likely be out of my league, any ideas what I'd be looking at to strip/refinish the exterior? I'd intend to leave all of it under the lid/motorboard original if I can make the exterior match, as it's excellent where it wasn't painted.

Darned shame about the paint.

I think it'd be worth trying to remove the paint from the original finish, perhaps with Go-Jo, or similar mild product. I would hesitate to use anything stronger unless you determine that it's a lost-cause and will be doing a complete strip.


It has been my experience with old houses, that when pre-WW-II wood trim that was originally stained and finished, then painted, it is often possible to remove the paint, leaving the original finish intact... at least the shellac or varnish kept the paint from penetrating the grain of the wood.


Good luck with it !

It looks like a worthy project and the history is a added plus.
One thing you can try or experiment with is a heat gun. You will have control over the heat so as not damage the original finish. But at the same time you may be able to separate the yellow paint from the original finish. Also a internet search my help on removing the paint. In my opinion the last thing you would want to do is strip the finish.

Best Regards, Larry

Congrats! Looks as though you have a fairly rare machine there (see http://www.victor-victrola.com/107.htm), and my guess is that it will sound terrific with a restored sound box and any other needed work on the mechanicals. It has a huge horn, judging from the size of the horn doors. Stripping the paint will be a major PITA, but the results will be worth it if successful. Fortunately, the original cosmetics under the lid seem to be in really good shape. I'm sure you would welcome suggestions from the members as to specific products to try. Keep us posted on your progress.

Hi all,

It would appear the original finish will not be salvageable on this. The stain, for the most part, but not the finish. It looks like he hit the whole thing up with 120 grit sandpaper before he painted it. There are spots where the lacquer is gone, and spots where it's just heavily sanded. Looks like it's going to be another strip job, unfortunately.


I do find it odd how dark this was stained originally, the grain is visible in direct light, but otherwise, it's just really dark.