The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have some UGLY brass fittings on the Victrola VV 4-7 I'm rebuilding for my sister. The needle holder is missing much of its finish, the automatic brake is mottled, and the tonearm is all scratched up, like someone took sandpaper to it (see pic).

Would it work to use something like the Birchwood Casey Brass Black Metal Finish to restore an even black color to these parts?

Ok, I know this is more radical than some would be comfortable with, but my sister's not that worried about authenticity.  After all, she's refinishing the cabinet.  She just wants it to look nice.  But I don't know if Brass Black is the way to go.

Any thoughts?

If you want it to match the original color, probably "oil rubbed bronze" or "antique bronze" would come closer. Here's a video showing a guy painting a toilet flush handle oil rubbed bronze -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ2kimGyV9s -- as one example.

OrthoFan

The needle cup is not brass. It's pot metal. Not sure it can be colored by anything other than plating or paint.