The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just wanted to get some opinions: if plates like the ones that include the model and serial number are scratched up, would you suggest repainting the gold or leaving it as is? If it plays a factor, I also do art as a hobby so I can work with paint, keep my hands steady, etc. Below is a pic of a plate I had in mind to retouch. If you think I should go ahead and repaint, do you have any suggestions of what paint to use?

Antiques frequently do not need painted when they could be cleaned instead.

For starters, those plates are not gold. They are silver wash over a black-enameled background. Any gold color you see is because the base metal is brass. To clean it, get some Blue Magic metal polish and a Q-tip and gently rub the shiny parts, pausing frequently to wipe it away with a very, very soft cloth. You don't want to ruin the silver. It should clean up nicely enough, without "hobby paints" or other stuff.

Oh, and if it's really dirty, use a fresh pencil eraser. There are pencil-shaped erasers that can be sharpened, and artists use them for charcoal drawings. You might like that.

The Victor E is coming out nicely! A great intro to the hobby and a great historical piece. Good luck on the repairs.

Thanks for the hints. I have a couple of plates that need cleaning and I have been wondering how to do it.

Jim

One of our members (Zwebie - and there are others, too) restores these plates, I'll see if I can find a post showing the process. I know it's here somewhere, but it'll take me a little searching to find it. It's actually a pretty simple process, but the data plate needs to be removed. Essentially you paint the entire plate, then carefully remove the paint from the high spots.

In the meantime, here's a page from a post that's relevant to your needs: viewtopic.php?p=211150#p211150

Fran

EDIT: I found what I was looking for after searching through 13 pages of hits, using the keyword "victor", and the username "Zwebie": viewtopic.php?p=184485#p184485 and here: viewtopic.php?p=184519#p184519

Bob (Zwebie) does a fantastic job restoring machines. I have several of his projects in my personal collection that are like the day they left the factory.

This thread is an example of the value of the TMF and it's database. Everybody who uses it should think about the consequences of losing the database, and help David (Mordeth) continue the project at least until another site can be brought along in parallel and transfer of the data effected. David, who has zero interest in phonographs, holds the keys and we need to make sure he doesn't lock the door.

Raphael

David has already indicated he has renewed the website for five years. It has been renewed and fixed so we should be fine for now.

Yes, in terms of domain renewal. However, he has indicated reimbursement for other expenses and time expended would be appreciated. Like I said, in the absence of an alternative, we are beholden to him, and his lack of interest in phonographs places the Forum in a precarious position.


Raphael

I see what you are saying, however we are in a situation that seems safe enough for now. Think of being off the Titanic and being in a life boat. Eventually one does need to get off the life boat but it sure as heck beats the ocean any day.

We could simply accept that this forum is not free and would require a small contribution every now and then. I do not know of any poverty stricken phonograph collectors after all.

Yes, but if the lifeboat had a leak and the only person who had some caulking wanted to be reimbursed for it, would it be prudent to not chip in?

I think what's holding some people back here from contributing is the dispute between Brandon and David. I am not advocating taking sides in any way, but the TMF was in danger of sinking and David had some of that caulking. Once we get permanently rescued, the discussion of the ethics can be debated ad nauseam.

Also, I apologize to LtFrenchFries, the author of this thread, as we have gotten off track, although after your questions were thoroughly answered.


Raphael

krkey1 wrote:I see what you are saying, however we are in a situation that seems safe enough for now. Think of being off the Titanic and being in a life boat. Eventually one does need to get off the life boat but it sure as heck beats the ocean any day.

We could simply accept that this forum is not free and would require a small contribution every now and then. I do not know of any poverty stricken phonograph collectors after all.

I'm more than happy to donate to the maintenance of this site and I think it's best to keep it free in order to attract new blood into the hobby. This site is the go to place for the hobby and everyone who is committed to the hobby should consider making a donation. Your not only helping to keep the site going, your breathing life into a hobby that lots of people know nothing about. I bought my first machine for my 50th birthday. Had I been introduced to the magic of antique phonographs earlier, I would have been better for it.