The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am excited about the arrival of my Edison Fireside A from Pete here on the forum. Since I received it today, I have cleaned and lubricated the motor, replaced the broken mainspring and adjusted the governor. I have started on the bedplate and case, it is really cleaning up good with restore-a-finish. I do not want to strip it or stain it as the original Edison decal is about 95% or more there. Also, I have cleaned the top bedplate with some penetrating oil and going slow to remove the old hard grease, I just do not want to strip down an original black bedplate and lose original decaling which looks good to me.

I will post pics as soon as I get to it.

Have a great weekend,

Jerry P.

What's your preferred way to remove old hard grease from a nice black bedplate without damaging the black paint and pinstripes Jerry ?

briankeith wrote:What's your preferred way to remove old hard grease from a nice black bedplate without damaging the black paint and pinstripes Jerry ?

First, I apply WD40, let it sit and rub it in and wipe off what I can, then I take a slightly moist brillo pad, and start in a circular motion just pressing in and lightly scrubbing, sometimes I have to rub harder, then make sure I am monitoring the bedplate stripes etc. so that the brillo does not cut through. After I do that I wash it down good with just plain water. Then it is wiped dry and I apply some 3 in 1 oil to the bed plate to prevent rust. I then wisk dry with a cloth.

Thanks - I have some caked on grease I 'll give that a try

Be very careful with the Fireside's pin stripe! It is very fragile. I only use Meguiars Scratch X and VERY LIGHTLY to remove grease and dirt that covers the pin stripe.