The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions about cleaning and/or refinishing phonograph/gramophones/graphophones wood cabinets based on all the very helpful posts I have read in this forum.

1. Can you tell me what type of products from Goop or/and from Gojo do you use exactly (http://goophandcleaner.com) (http: // http://www.gojo.com)?

2. Where can I find Goop or something similar in Europe ? PS) EDIT info: Just find that I can buy Go-jo here in France (Here's a link http://www.gojo.com/fr-FR) (I'm happy ).

3. Should I oil or wax my wood cabinetf to help preserve the finish ? I have read on websites that you should NOT use oil ?

4. What can I use to safely remove dirt from my cabinet without danaging the decal ?

Any info/ tips would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Cheers
Patrick

I just looked at your link for GoJo in France and the creme hand cleaner that is available has pumice included. The product you need is GoJo hand creme cleaner without pumice... Or Goop, which is available at WalMart - at least in the USA.

For Goop, use Original Goop waterless hand cleaner without pumice. GoJo can be creme waterless hand cleaner or orange hand cleaner without pumice...

Goop is available from Amazon.com and may be available on Amazon.fr

https://www.amazon.com/Cleaner-Laundry- ... NOLZ2?th=1

Goop is available on Amazon.fr - BUT the price is incredibly high - 88 euros... compared to $5.73 USD on Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.fr/Cleaner-Laundry-L ... words=Goop

As for oiling or waxing a finish:

Some furniture restorers used to use boiled linseed oil on old finishes, but that is no longer recommended: once the oil hardens, it is difficult to remove, and can craze as it ages. Lemon oil, however, is safe to use, as is paste wax. There is also a product called "Howard's Feed-n-Wax", which is excellent for rejuvenating a dried out finish.

Bill

For Goop/GoJo you could try original Swarfega hand cleaner (again, take care to get the version without abrasive content) - it works really well. I found Howards Feed'n'Wax on English eBay.

Orchorsol wrote:For Goop/GoJo you could try original Swarfega hand cleaner (again, take care to get the version without abrasive content) - it works really well. I found Howards Feed'n'Wax on English eBay.

Thank you very much, gentlemens, for all your help

Goop and Gojo are wonderfully luxurious products, here in Europe !!
Between 18 to 22 times more expensive than in the USA !!!!

To overcome this disadvantage, I should therefore use Swarfega (non-abrasive). Are this the products here ? http://www.swarfega.com/home/products/sor400mp http://www.swarfega.com/home/products/shd30r

Okay, a very big thank you Orchorsol .... but I'm looking for this name in the database of this forum, it is never mentioned. How is it possible ? How then make non US members of the forum.talkingmachine.info for cleaning their devices ??

This is the one I use: http://www.swarfega.com/workplace/products/swa157a It isn't citrus-based but seems to do the job extremely well. Other people may insist the citrus-based products are more suitable - I don't know. Beware, the product linked in your post above contains micro-beads which might not be abrasive for hand cleaning, but I believe will be abrasive to wood finishes.

Lucius1958 wrote:As for oiling or waxing a finish:

Some furniture restorers used to use boiled linseed oil on old finishes, but that is no longer recommended: once the oil hardens, it is difficult to remove, and can craze as it ages. Lemon oil, however, is safe to use, as is paste wax. There is also a product called "Howard's Feed-n-Wax", which is excellent for rejuvenating a dried out finish.

Bill

I've used boiled linseed oil mixed 50:50 with turpentine, applied to walnut speaker cabinets ("oiled walnut"), without the slightest evidence of crazing, after many years. However, these cabinets were already oiled walnut when purchased new. I don't know about applying the mix to previously finished, unfinished, or stripped surfaces. I think it is important that the linseed be mixed with turpentine, as mentioned!

I've also used lemon oil, paste wax, and Howard's F/W, all with good results. The paste wax was especially good on a solid maple "re-amalgamated" finish (Formsby applied with Scotch pad, preserving the original maple stain). Don't think I would use lemon oil for that particular application; Howard's would probably be OK there. YRMV!

Hello and thank you to all for your valuable advice.
Forgive me for being late.

I just bought the Goop Multi Purpose Hand Cleaner 14 oz directly on eBay.com (US). It cost me $28 including shipping.
Finally, I just grab my Graphophone AT. Given its dirt state, I probably should have to buy a second Goop !! ....

Pat