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Got this cabinet for free, it was completely gutted except for the lid hinges. Sat in the garage since the mid-80's used for storing bug spray, junk etc. I know this machine is nothing spectacular but after all these years it finally got to me Decided to rescue it an make it my last project Completely stripped it, bought 1 lb of dewaxed garnet tinted shellac flakes and made half gallon of shellac - sprayed two coats with HVLP spray system, sanded/steel wool between coats, two coats of gloss lacquer which also sanded with 300 grit and finished with steel wool, final sandings were to knock the gloss off the lacquer (would have used satin lacquer but I had a gallon of gloss sitting around.) After several weeks of drying I rubbed out the cabinet with Deluxing compound.

Thanks to a forum member I was able to get all the needed parts for the machine and after an embarrassing moment with the auto brake the machine is humming along. No reproducer in the photo as I am making a pot metal repair to it.

Cheers

Bill K

This looks wonderful! Wish I had someone like you nearby to tutor me on correct finish restoration!
I'd do my own sad-looking early consolette!
Thanks for the follow-up and pictures. These are hardy, fine-sounding machines!
Bob

Thanks barnettrp21122. I've done a bunch of machines over the years and swore no more Somehow I keep getting dragged back in, its a curse I tell ya!

Cheers

Bill K

Bill

Nice job - your cabinet has an elegant appearance to it.

I presume that you used the shellack to seal the wood and then filled the pores with a grain filler? What filler did you use? I ask as this is usually where I have faced issues in the past.

Bruce

A beautiful restoration.

You used a term with which I am not familiar, "Deluxing compound." Can you say a little about what it is and what it does?

Clay

Thanks for the comments. Actually I do not use grain filler After completely stripping the cabinet I allow it to dry, make any necessary repairs and re-stain it. Once the stain is dry. I seal it with shellac.
(I mix my own shellac to between a 1 lb - 1.5 lb cut.) I Spray at least two to 3 coats, using 220 grit and steel wool between coats. The shellac serves as the base coat for the lacquer and is a great sealer/filler.

After all the shellac work the cabinet gets sprayed with 2 to 3 coats of satin or gloss lacquer (Deft). Sanded between coats and wet sanded on the final coat.

The fun of these projects is matching the cabinet to the color of the inside of the lid. It can be done mixing alcohol soluble aniline dye to the clear shellac, or later to the lacquer using oil soluble aniline dye. On this cabinet no dye was used as the garnet colored shellac flakes came close enough to the original color.


Deluxing Compound ---- Sold under Behlen Deluxing Compound. I get mine from Woodworkers Supply but it is available through Amazon. etc. After the lacquer has dried for at least a week the cabinet is rubbed out. This compound is safe for most finishes, easy to work with and adds a hard but soft mirror like finish.

Good luck - cheers

Bill K