The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm working on a project right that I'm fully refinishing. After stripping, most of the stain was present and even, except for the top of the lid which is quite blotchy. I like to stain even if the original color underneath the finish is still there, but in this case I'm not sure how much of the blotchyness will show through.

I've seen threads that showed "barkeepers friend" to bleach/remove stain, and I've found that it works quite well. I would like to know you're thoughts on bleaching cabinets before staining vs staining over the remaining color.

Thanks
Martin

My response: It depends. I generally don't use paint strippers, but if necessary, I dissolve and remove the finish using the appropriate solvents -- if it is a basket case and is too bad to be saved. Alcohol (shellac thinner) or lacquer thinner or a mix of both. I have only resorted to regular thick paint strippers if the solvents don't work. If I can preserve the original color and finish, I will. Sometimes it is only necessary to repair a damaged area without stripping the entire case. If it is too blotchy, I have had to remove all the original stain and redo it.

I try to preserve as much of the original color as possible. I've seen way too many poorly refinished machines in my years of collecting. Many were refinished with stains that did not match the original colors.