The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Well, I used 0000 steel wool to clean off the black/orange oxidation on
the Vic III exhibition reproducer. Right after I did it, it looked like
nickel normally does. After I left it in a plastic bag for a few days
(waiting on parts) it appears to have "transformed itself into gold" or
at least take on a gold hue. Any ideas on what is happening here guys?

My guess is that it's worn down to the brass...but why it didn't look brass once you cleaned it off, I have no idea

Does the inside of the reproducer, the area with the writing, look gold or black. The reproducer for my old Victrola XIV is gold and the inside has a gold or brass hue. All of my other Exhibitions which are nickle have a black interior. If yours is black, I suspect that is it just worn down to the brass. If not, it may be a gold reproducer. I have to admit, it looks really good to be worn to the brass. I would think it would show pitting not such a smooth looking surface.

Personally, I think it's the leprechauns that turned it to gold... Oh no, wait... what happened to my pixie dust?? It seems to be missing... Hmmmmm

Zeppy wrote:My guess is that it's worn down to the brass...but why it didn't look brass once you cleaned it off, I have no idea

Yeah it looked like antique nickel when I cleaned it, nothing out of the ordinary. I wish
I had a picture of it right after I cleaned it to show the difference. If its brass underneath
than that would likely explain it. In any case it looks worlds better than it did. I thought it was pitted beyond repair.

Boyle6 wrote:Does the inside of the reproducer, the area with the writing, look gold or black. The reproducer for my old Victrola XIV is gold and the inside has a gold or brass hue. All of my other Exhibitions which are nickle have a black interior. If yours is black, I suspect that is it just worn down to the brass. If not, it may be a gold reproducer. I have to admit, it looks really good to be worn to the brass. I would think it would show pitting not such a smooth looking surface.

The interior is black so it should be a nickle ring. I may have went overboard with the 0000 but the nickel was pretty well shot anyways. I will find out for sure if the brass starts to tarnish.

Tinkerbell wrote:Personally, I think it's the leprechauns that turned it to gold... Oh no, wait... what happened to my pixie dust?? It seems to be missing... Hmmmmm

It was definitely a surprise today Tinkerbell. I was like... WTF? Its gold!!!


I will give you your pixie dust back shortly, I have some blocks of lead I need to convert first
however.