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This is a 1914 VV-IV with lots of flaking of the finish as shown. I prefer not to strip and refinish it, What would be the best way to approach saving the original finish (or lack thereof)? Thanks, Cliff

If it is shellac, wad up a cloth and put denatured alcohol on it. Rub it on a small section and see if it starts to blend in. That finish is in bad shape, but you may be able to blend/redo it using the french wipe method. Many links on the web about how to do this. I think that a couple of companies actually offer a refinishing product in the can for this, Formby's ? The French method will melt/soften the old shellac and add new to the surface and blend them together.
Jeff

Hi Cliff.

I'll echo what Jeff says and interject that I think the Formby's method is more of a re-finish (as it melts off all of the top layers and supposedly leaves only the stain). I used it in the late 1970's and noticed that it removed too much of the color for my taste. I also didn't care for the look of the Tung oil varnish compared with the original shellac.

I had finishes in a similar condition to yours that responded well to re-amalgamation (with denatured alcohol) and application of new shellac. Here's a link to what I ended up doing:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 14&p=48339

If you don't mind spending the time, you have little to lose in experimenting. Good luck and let us know how your project is going.

Regards,
Martin

Thanks for the tips! Martin, your turned out wonderful! Mine is definitely shellac. Ive used butyl cellosolve on crazed lacquer finished before with decent results. I'll give the denatured alcohol a try. Once I start this project, I'll start a new restoration thread. This player is borderline basket case so, it will take a lot of work.

There is a product called Howard Restor-a-Finish that combines tint/stain, alcohol, and perhaps some shellac-like finish. It's fine for minor touch-ups, scratch cover, and so on. Your case seems to show a lot of bare wood, so I would probably be hesitant to use it on that. Nonetheless, it might be worth experimenting in a hidden area.

hearsedriver wrote:Thanks for the tips! Martin, your turned out wonderful! Mine is definitely shellac. Ive used butyl cellosolve on crazed lacquer finished before with decent results. I'll give the denatured alcohol a try. Once I start this project, I'll start a new restoration thread. This player is borderline basket case so, it will take a lot of work.

From what I have seen of your other work you'll do just great. For an undertaker, you sure are good at bringing stuff back to life. Isn't that sort of being a traitor to your profession?

gramophone-georg wrote:

hearsedriver wrote:Thanks for the tips! Martin, your turned out wonderful! Mine is definitely shellac. Ive used butyl cellosolve on crazed lacquer finished before with decent results. I'll give the denatured alcohol a try. Once I start this project, I'll start a new restoration thread. This player is borderline basket case so, it will take a lot of work.

From what I have seen of your other work you'll do just great. For an undertaker, you sure are good at bringing stuff back to life. Isn't that sort of being a traitor to your profession?

Yes.I guess it is!