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I found this in the basement of an antique shop in an old house in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It was disassembled, but all the parts were there except one screw for the brake.

It cleaned up nicely, but I am disappointed in the finish. I cleaned it with GOOP and used Briwax on it, but it still seems dull to me.

What do some of you folks use to clean/polish old finishes? My method has served me well for years, but this time I am left wanting more.

Also, the reproducer flange was a bit of a surprise. I showed that in another post. Check it out.

I don't know why the image is rotated like that. I did not shoot it that way!

A darned nice find, if you ask me...


As for the finish condition, are you referring to the horn or the lower cabinet ?


Based on your photograph, I don't think I'd go any further, if it were my machine...


Are there appearance issues we're not seeing in the photo ?

Dave,

In my opinion, the finish looks Great just as it is! Any more polishing or cleaning with steel wool would destroy the originality and thus the value of the piece. If you want a little more "shine", try a clear furniture paste wax.

Bob S.

Zwebie wrote:Dave,

In my opinion, the finish looks Great just as it is! Any more polishing or cleaning with steel wool would destroy the originality and thus the value of the piece. If you want a little more "shine", try a clear furniture paste wax.

Bob S.

Definitely I agree with Bob. It looks fantastic. Just the way you like to have them imho.

Dave,

You lucky dog! The finish looks great to me. Why don't you give it a few coats of polyurethane?

Hello Dave,

congratulations to a great find. I agree with everyone else, the finish looks perfect to me. Oak finishes don't get quite as shiny as perfect mahogany finishes. I wouldn't do a thing more to it at this point. The quarter sawn oak looks stunning with the dark contrasts.

Andreas

Well, you guys sure know how to make me feel good! I will leave it as it is and enjoy. Hopefully, my wife will let me keep it in the living room on my Herzog half barrel cabinet. I think it would look great there, but in the interest of marital harmony, she gets the last word.

One thing I learned after 22 years is that I can right or I can be happy, but I can't be both!

Dave

JerryVan wrote:Dave,

You lucky dog! The finish looks great to me. Why don't you give it a few coats of polyurethane?

I know you are kidding Jerry, but this sort of thing could start trouble around here!
Dave

Dave,
I agree with what everyone else has said, the machine and horn look great as is.

If you want to clean it a little more, because maybe something is there that is not showing

in the photos, we have had great luck with Kramers Antique Improver. This is an all natural product

available at most antique malls. I think it is also available on line.

It actually goes through original shellac without harming and puts oils back into the wood, will not hurt the finish and cleans more than gojo or goop.

Brice Paris told us about this at Union several years ago and we have used it ever since, great product.

All the best, David & Lerria

Question: Is that a Vic II, and is a Vic II the same thing as a Humpback?