The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Most of my Edison's I restore [?] by stripping staining and then use polyurethane to persevere. But this machine - because it is relatively rare due of loss of most in factory fire - I would rather NOT do anything like that. The case has almost no dings or cracks or splinters - other in really nice condition - but its fading. It did have some warpage on rear panel. I would like to CLEAN it carefully and then PRESERVE the original finish. NO STAIN. Any ideas?

Thanks for the feedback. I assume no one left here who restores or preserves cabinets. Like most things now a days real craftmanship is dead. So sad.

Pictures of what you are dealing with would help. Also, no one who "restores" phonographs would use polyurethane finishes - just sayin'...

jpkira wrote: Tue Aug 20, 2024 12:17 pm Thanks for the feedback. I assume no one left here who restores or preserves cabinets. Like most things now a days real craftmanship is dead. So sad.

You can't expect answers to, "how do you clean and preserve" this finish, when you don't take the time and initiative to post a picture of the finish you wish to preserve.

I completely agree with the other members. Pictures are more valuable than a description. Many of us are trying to bring back some of the old ways of finishing phonographs. If you read some of the old post you could get a lot of ideas on refinishing. Polyurethane is a great finish for furniture but like my mentor said shellac is what was used on most phonographs. You can watch some videos on YouTube that are super informative too.

No thanks - I want my work to last - the people I GIVE them to can't hurt them when poly coated. Pictures have nothing to do with this - its original should be enough for anyone familiar with the machine. To each his own. I will find someone who knows how to restore without removing original finish. Sorry I bothered you all! Won't happen again!

jpkira wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2024 6:08 pm Sorry I bothered you all! Won't happen again!

Okay. You're the expert. Don't know why you bothered to ask. Goodby...

I asked for an opinion and only got grief from the "experts" here. Thank you!

jpkira wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 3:12 pm I asked for an opinion and only got grief from the "experts" here. Thank you!

What you got was good advice, but not the advice you wanted to hear.

Ask questions, expect immediate answers and then get offended when you don't agree??? I don't know what you were looking for, but it certainly wasn't an "opinion"...