The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This isn't about a phonograph but a stereoviewer I purchased on Fleabay. However I figured that if anyone could help and make suggestions it was you guys!

It was in pretty good shape but was a bit dirty and had some gunk stuck on the wood. The card slide was in pretty bad shape and had something crusted along the edges; from hands grasping it I'm assuming.
I used Gojo (non pumice) on the whole thing. On the very stubborn spots I used 0000 steel wool; the slider and part of the hood in particular. The amount of dirt that came off was AMAZING. I never really did this on the C19. I tried, but I guess I never left in on enough. Anyway, the hood and main structure came out great and look fantastic. But the slider and handle came out grayish looking. The slider even more so than the handle.
So at this point I touched it up with Howard's Golden Oak Restor-a-finish. The same one I used on the C19. Worked great on the body, less so on the handle, and REALLY darkened up the slider!
Any suggestions on what may have happened? Or, how to fix it to match? The slider may be from a different viewer; as may the handle.

Thanks,

Joe

I think your viewer was made out of a variety of woods and the contrast was attractive. If it were mine, it would try some stain on the parts that appear purple (to me) and try for an attractive contrast. Jerry

Jerry's right - different woods. I almost wonder if the body was originally finished dark to blend with the darkest woods. Or, yes, the parts could be from different viewers. In any event, the contrast is eye-catching and quite pleasing. I especially like the figuring in the body of the viewer.

Regards,
Martin

Oh yea, I love the pattern in the wood on the body. Even the handle turned out nice as far as color after a day of sitting. I still wish the slider was lighter though.

I'm just curious why the golden oak restor-a-finish turned the slider a walnut color (or at least that is my take). I did let it sit for about three days before applying anything so I don't think wetness was a problem. And why it ended up so gray when cleaned with the Gojo. I'm wondering if I made a mistake cleaning it. Basically I don't want to mess up a phonograph or piece of furniture in the future.

As far staining goes, if I go that route, I'm guessing just clean the slider as well as possible with the Gojo again? Or do I need a paint stripper? Thanks.

I think the handle and sliding card-holder are made from a different wood than the rest of the device.

The others parts look to me like Spruce or Maple, and are probably shellacked.


The handle and the card slide look like an open-grained wood, more like mahogany. Not sure why they would have changed color, but if there was litte or no finish on them, then the wood might have sucked-up the GoJo, causing a color shift ?