The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Do old oil and grease sometimes ruin an Edison bedplate? I have one that just won't respond to GoJo.
The old asphaltum paint seems to be tough stuff, so is there a different approach I can take? Or, are some just not going to ever look good again without repainting?
Dave D

Try Mcguires Scratch X.

Rich Gordon

HI Dave,
I start with Gojo and hopefully this works. Maybe a little varsol for the tough grease build ups. Sometimes I find that a coat of shellac has been applied, usually you notice scalding or cracking of the surface. If so, I use methyl hydrate to remove the shellac. This will not harm the asphaltum but it will remove the decals or pin striping. So I replace with new decals from Greg Cline and a thin final coat of amber shellac.

Any worse than this, sand, repaint and start over.
Blain