The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I had the opportunity to get a Columbia BI over the weekend, so I am very excited to own my first external horn disc machine! First off, I want to say a HUGE thank you to Matt Burke for helping me get the machine. I am very excited to be meeting him in Knoxville on the 14th to pick it up!

Unfortunately the nickel plated hardware on the machine was painted gold by the previous owner. And I quote “she didn’t like the way the tarnished nickel looked so she painted it gold”. Will paint stripper harm the nickel plating? Or is there a better wait to remove the paint? I don’t know what the condition of the nickel is, but judging by the condition of the case I would venture it’s probably pretty good? Any thoughts on how to get the gold paint off would be great

Once again, thank you Mr.Burke for helping me get my first external horn machine!!

David

Try lighter fluid- outside, of course.

gramophone-georg wrote:Try lighter fluid- outside, of course.

? Do i just spray it on? I’m not sure what you mean.


David

dzavracky wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:Try lighter fluid- outside, of course.

? Do i just spray it on? I’m not sure what you mean.


David

Lighter fluid- for an old fashioned cigar lighter. It's liquid in a can. Like this:



Pour it on a rag and rub.

David,
You can also buy acetone in a metal can at Home Depot, works in a similar manner. Don't get it on the finish (as you probably know), and it will remove any spray paint.

Then MAAS polish works really well https://www.amazon.com/Maas-Internation ... B0008D7IV8 once the paint is removed.

Good Luck and congrats on your first outside horn machine. The case looks pretty darn nice!

Matt

Very nicely done! The paint may have served as a preservative to the plating. You'll find out. Better than my BN where someone took off every square inch of original finish: the only phonograph I have ever had to entirely remanufacture.

I don't see the plunger-style speed control & brake, but Ron Sitko sells replicas for $25. Buy the gasket tubing and rubber isolator from him as well; he sells a special thick tubing for the Analyzing Reproducer.

Well, you say you like those Columbia banner decals--this one certainly has it!

The decals on this machine look especially nice and seem to be completely original. I think he did well.

Matt

I'd suggest that you disassemble the machine and do one part at a time. I've never tried lighter fluid but I have used lacquer thinner to remove more recent paint. I'd start ;east aggressive and get more aggressive if needed. I don't think paint remover would turn the nickel finish but I'd be interested in other opinions.

Columbia tried to nickel plate the aluminum tone arms. Very few survived looking nice. Frequently the nickel is peeling off and they look dreadful. Is there a good way to remove any remaining nickel? When the nickel is gone a polished aluminum tone arm looks fine.

I wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when using chemicals.

Jerry Blais

Matt,

Should it have a dust ring?

Jerry

Charles,

Yes it is missing the speed control/ brake, but it is good to know Ron sells a replacement!


I’ll take it apart when I get it, and first clean the case and motor. Then I’ll worry about the paint. I don’t have much time before my fall semester starts.... so it may have to sit with gold paint until this winter. But I think I can make time get the paint off

I have a can of acetone at my workbench. I assume I’d do the same as the lighter fluid. Rub it on the paint?

Cheers

David