The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Picked up an Edison DD in mahogany. The original finish is intact but is very dark and I would like to revive without refinishing. Is there a posting on the forum that would explain how to revive the finish? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Post a pic ,
You can with care use burnishing cream to greatly revive a dull finish on mahogany .It basically works as a cutting agent and polishes as well like metal polish . You have to be careful not to rub right through the finish, though unlikely unless you rub the same spot a long time .
It will take off dirt and revive . If done well ,then applying a wax polish afterwards usually all thats needed .
Caution should be used and using it on open grain like oak can lead to a white residue left in the grain which seams impossible to remove .!

Mahogany darkens with age. That's part of the history. I would clean the cabinet with non-pumice GOJO, that you can get in any good auto store. After you clean the cabinet from the dirt and grime, it should look good. One important note: the GOJO tends to soften the finish slightly. Wait a day or two, before doing anything else. If it still doesn't look right,, then I would use Howard's restore a finish. I apply it with 0000 steel wool. I use rubber gloves. Howard's will restore the luster, and hide small scratches and dings. Good luck with your machine.
Harvey Kravitz