The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

What do you think I should do with the top of the emerson it's driving me crazy. Water stains can you see stain of the vase they had on there . What would you do

Hard to tell from the pictures but, it looks like the finish is gone in those areas. If so, you have no choice but to strip and refinish the top. If it is strictly a white color left by moisture, there are several products that will remove water stains. I like Howards Restor-a-finish. Do a Google search for other products. The 3rd alternative is to put a doily on top

I don't believe that is the correct tonearm/reproducer

I have successfully removed water stains and other blemishes on the top of a solid maple chest of drawers by using Formby's Furniture Refinisher, applied with a Scotchbright pad. Actually I used the less expensive, but chemically identical, Ace Hardware equivalent of the Formby's. The refinisher dissolves the finish but leaves the colorant intact, and with the Scotchbright pad I distributed the softened original finish evenly over the surface, covering the water stains, blems, and voids. After the top was all cleaned up and dry, I applied a coat of Johnson's Paste Wax (yellow can). Worth a try, IMO, and certainly affordable. Cost of materials is probably $10-15. As always, try first on an inconspicuous area.

Heyo,

The finish is gone so you need to do one of 4 things I can think of:

1. tape off and use lacquer thinner to strip it.
2. Reflow the finish if you are able
3. Build up the lacquer with lots of coats and sanding
4. You CAN use Howards restor-a-finish and it does work well. Then a coat of Howards Feed and wax to seal it in.

First I would take some GoJo hand cleaner "original with no pumice" and #0000 steel wool and lightly scrub the top to remove all the crud.
It does amazing work. That is what I started with on the 300 lid and you can see hot it turned out.
If you are stripping you don't need to do any of this.

I dont know where you are on the island but I can try to help if you need it...

Here are some pics of howards in action.