The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

How or (would you guys) go about darkening this cabinet or just leave it be? It has a wonderful original banner on it and I don't want to damage it. Seems like there should be something I could rub on it without too much intr

Old English Furniture Polish. That's what we use on clocks.

bangster

I wouldn't touch this, it's original and it's well over 100 years old. Why would you want to darken a finish that was originally light? Just curious....

A more reversible option would be tinted paste wax if you really wanted to darken it. That can be undone, Old English is like stain and I wouldn't go near a light case like this with it, but it's great for dark Mahogany cabinets that have light scratches .

Sean

I agree with Orthosean. Leave the machine alone. Keep its historical integrity.
Harvey Kravitz

You mean the lid only? The case looks good in the photo.

OrthoSean wrote:I wouldn't touch this, it's original and it's well over 100 years old. Why would you want to darken a finish that was originally light? Just curious....

A more reversible option would be tinted paste wax if you really wanted to darken it. That can be undone, Old English is like stain and I wouldn't go near a light case like this with it, but it's great for dark Mahogany cabinets that have light scratches .

Sean

Hi Sean,
It's not originally that light. Someone has wiped it off with something that took a lot of color off. The right side of the lid is the right color. I think they just missed that spot?

That's possible, which is why I suggested tinted paste wax, you can always undo that. I've used it on Oak machines that had faded spots and it works very well with patience.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:That's possible, which is why I suggested tinted paste wax, you can always undo that. I've used it on Oak machines that had faded spots and it works very well with patience.

Sean

What brand do you use and color? That sounds like something that would work. I certainly don't want to do something I can't undo.

Ronnie,

Howard's is the kind I have used in the past, it's available in many different shades, you would want to find the one closest to your machine, I would think. Trial and error with the stuff, really, but I would start with the lighter one (I think it's Golden Oak that they call it).

Sean

Old English is also reversible. Comes in different shades. Easy to apply. Give it a thought.