The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I got this B-250 from a thrift shop for $75. It came with a few records and some of the original drawer organizers. I just made the rest out of cardboard. But still for $75 it was a great deal,

BUT, the finish has been bothering me ever since I got it. The finish on parts of the inside of the cabinet is almost perfect. But the finish on the outside and on the inside of the lid looks "alligatored".

I have heard of using denatured alcohol to fix this. Should I just leave it as is? or is there a way to make it look smooth and glossy again?

I would NOT do anything but clean it unless you have a good amount of experience re-amalgamating and French polishing. Just use some Goop hand cleaner (the kind without pumice) and get it clean.

I would LOVE to get my hands on that, because it's an untouched original that could look fantastic with some professional work. But it's too nice to experiment on.

I'd recommend getting some experience with some smaller machines or old furniture before tackling this, mostly because it's just too nice to mess up, you know?

Or just bring it on over to me--I'm only a few states away, right? LOL.

what is Goop? is gojo the same thing haha? I have used gojo on several of my cabinets.

should i use 000 steel wool?

Gojo without pumice is fine. I use Goop. Very similar.

In my experience steel wool cuts through a finish very easily or dulls it. I no longer use it for anything but flat-out stripping a cabinet--and even then, it usually does more damage to the wood than I'd like. I just use about 1,000 paper towels when Goop-ing.

HAHA okay, I know that feeling very well. I cleaned it when I got it, but it was awhile ago. I guess ill just leave it until I know how to do anything with the Finish.

Jwb88 wrote:I would NOT do anything but clean it unless you have a good amount of experience re-amalgamating and French polishing. Just use some Goop hand cleaner (the kind without pumice) and get it clean.

I would LOVE to get my hands on that, because it's an untouched original that could look fantastic with some professional work. But it's too nice to experiment on.

I'd recommend getting some experience with some smaller machines or old furniture before tackling this, mostly because it's just too nice to mess up, you know?

Absolutely right. The condition of the finish is just what I would want to see. Untouched and original.

audiophile102 wrote:

Jwb88 wrote:I would NOT do anything but clean it unless you have a good amount of experience re-amalgamating and French polishing. Just use some Goop hand cleaner (the kind without pumice) and get it clean.

I would LOVE to get my hands on that, because it's an untouched original that could look fantastic with some professional work. But it's too nice to experiment on.

I'd recommend getting some experience with some smaller machines or old furniture before tackling this, mostly because it's just too nice to mess up, you know?

Absolutely right. The condition of the finish is just what I would want to see. Untouched and original.

IF you bought this machine, would you do anything to it?

I would not do a thing to it.
Until I'd gained quite a bit of experience with lesser machines, I probably wouldn't even clean it unless it was particularly dirty, which this example doesn't appear to be.

gramophoneshane wrote:I would not do a thing to it.
Until I'd gained quite a bit of experience with lesser machines, I probably wouldn't even clean it unless it was particularly dirty, which this example doesn't appear to be.

To this advice, I just apply some orange oil with a clean cotton cloth. You'd be surprised the difference it can make. And it doesn't stink up the house with an unpleasant odor.

Fran

Alrighty! Maybe I’ll give that a try