The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi

I know technically they are not antiques until they are 100 years old, but what is other members view of restaining a unit and losing the wear and tear of time?

regards

Stuart

Stuart wrote:Hi

I know technically they are not antiques until they are 100 years old, but what is other members view of restaining a unit and losing the wear and tear of time?

regards

Stuart

Well, first you'd have to get a judge to issue a restaining order.....

But seriously: if the finish is in very poor condition, it's acceptable to use stain to restore the original appearance.

The obsession with 'original patina' is, in my opinion at least, more the province of high-end antique furniture collectors than of phonograph enthusiasts. That said, it is better to have an original finish, even with some signs of age, than a machine that has been totally stripped of its history. But if the finish is so far gone as to be unsightly (and the machine - or finish - not particularly rare), some restoration is to be expected.

Bill

Sometimes, some restoration is necessary!!
Steve (feeling a bit rusty myself)

I think it is interesting that the majority of collectors of each type of collectable have a different threshold for refinishing For example most phonograph collectors prefer an original finish while most music box collectors are more acceptable and seem to prefer refinished boxes. I personally only refinish a phonograph item when it's absolutely needed to be pleasant to look at. Jerry Blais