The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am a fan of the Goop/Gojo method of cleaning cabinets, its very cheap, easy and does a fantastic job. Here are pictures of my oak Edison C250 being cleaned with it. When I first got this machine, I didn't even know it was oak. It was so dark that I thought it was some form of mahogany or something else. These are some before and after pics of the process. I just paint the Goop on with a paint brush, work it around till it becomes clear, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then wipe off with paper towels. It usually takes a few applications to get the dirt off. Be sure to let it dry for a couple days before putting on any polish or wax.I am also here to say be VERY careful using it on decals. I might have damaged some on another machine because I left it on too long.

QUESTION. Does anyone know what kind of oak this is? I have no clue!

Very nice.


The veneer species is White Oak, which has been "peeled" to give a "quarter-sawn appearance", which displays mostly edge-grain and "ray-flake" ( those irregular "blips" among the straight grain pattern).

( upon further reflection, I guess most oak veneer falls into this description... ).


The finish is what I would describe as "Golden Oak".


This is one of my favorite talking machine finishes; I have a beautiful C-19 in Golden Oak from forum member gemering.

Alright! Another C 250 with the Edison Electric Automatic Stop feature! Love it! I defer to the cabinet makers that will surely opine.

The finish was known (by the Edison company) as "Golden Oak". There was also a "Fumed Oak" finish available, but it was a very dark (almost blackish) brown.

If you haven't already, would you take my short survey? I'm compiling a database and conducting an in depth study of the "Chippendale" C250/C19's. Here's a link, if you'd take the time to answer my questionnaire:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=16837

Thanks in advance, and good luck with the cleaning!

Best,
Fran

Alrighty! I had a feeling it was golden oak! Thanks! And Fran, yes I made sure I took your survey

Oceangoer1 wrote:Alrighty! I had a feeling it was golden oak! Thanks! And Fran, yes I made sure I took your survey

Thanks! I apologise for my poor memory, I should have checked first...

Fran

That makes me want to try it on my cabinet. The horn Greg painted for me is great except the color. If I clean the cabinet, would it look closer to the color of the horn?

Cleaning the cabinet isn't going to hurt anything. It will likely lighten things up, but there's really only one way to find out...

Sean

I guess I could try it on the top? After you clean it with GOOP, what do you guys put on it afterwards? I would think it would leave a greasy film on it.

Let it dry thoroughly before you put anything on it, sometimes the finish will get a little tacky / sticky after you clean it. I usually let them dry for a couple of days then put some Howard's Feed 'N' Wax on.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:Let it dry thoroughly before you put anything on it, sometimes the finish will get a little tacky / sticky after you clean it. I usually let them dry for a couple of days then put some Howard's Feed 'N' Wax on.

Sean

Thanks Sean,
I will give it a try. I also have a C-250 that is like the OP's, looks dark. I am going to use it on it first. Here is what it looks like. Sorry, I don't mean to high jack
the OP'S post.