The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A friend of a friend of mine restores radios and swears by this stuff, anybody tried it?

http://www.kramerize.com/using_on_wood.htm

I haven't tried it but want to interject some other products here while, hopefully, not overrunning your thread. Please keep in mind that this thread is about information on Kramer's Best Antique Improver.

With that said there are three products that I have used and they might act as a useful comparison with Kramer's.

1. Finish Feeder. I used this stuff for all my years of phono collecting in the 70s and 80s. It seemed to do the trick in cleaning and making look good the original finishes that I am fond of and, to this day, I see no harm done.
   http://www.finishfeedercompany.com/
2. Howard's Restor-a-Finish. This I have used mostly on wooden kitchen cabinetry that was a bit dirty and lackluster. It made the cabinets look better. I have no experience using it on phonos or other furniture.
   http://www.howardproducts.com/restora.htm
3. Mar-A-Way Instant Restorer. Given to me recently by a radio collector friend to try. I have bought two quarts in Mahogany and Walnut. So far my use has been on 20s radio cabinets where it has done what I think is an excellent job in covering up scratches and making the finish look much better but, in no way, "refinished".
   http://www.restorationsupplies.com/maraway.html
   I ended up buying from who I think is the distributor: Hoch & Selby in Portland, OR. Talk to Bennett 803-234-6476 $13.73 8 oz. and $25.83 qt.

I know there are other furniture "snake oils" out there but have wondered myself what might be the best for old radio and phonograph cabinets. And how does that Kramer's work in comparison to the three products I have used?

Are there any downsides to any of these products mentioned?

Steve

I have used it several times on the very alligatored shellac finish on a fancy-cased mahogany Victrola. I don't want to re-finish this one, but want to see through the finish a bit. Kramer's has done a nice job on it. It seems to be linseed oil based, as it dries slowly. I think the treatment helps the shellac from getting too brittle (failure mode), but just a guess.

I've found Kramer's to do a nice job, also. Many years ago, larryh showed me a way to rejuvenate a damaged varnish finish with very fine sandpaper and extremely thinned varnish applied in multiple stages, bringing a sun and radiator damaged finish back to life very beautifully. Perhaps he will be able to give further details. Bob Ault

I found this product to do a good job on cabinets, just keep it away from phonograph bedplates, it will take the shellac off, and damage the illumination.