The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

When you try to remowe grime and dirt from an oak pgono cabbinet what do you do with the "transfers" (labels?)?
Do you use Kotton Klenser or something else?

Yes, people generally say kotton kleanser is the best thing to use for things like that, I am sure wyatt would back me up on this

kirtley2012 wrote:Yes, people generally say kotton kleanser is the best thing to use for things like that, I am sure wyatt would back me up on this

Have YOU actually bought KK and used KK in the way this person is asking? Just curious.

no i havnt, i dont think it exists in the uk but i have seen the effects via the internet and it worked extremely well with decals

Guys I am serious!
I bought a G&T Berliner and the label is wery gtimy. I do not want to wipe it off with the cleaner!!

go on this website

http://www.edisondiamonddisc.com/

and click on the section that says "Cleaning up my 1898/9 Edison Home (Home-A #2!!!)" this phonograph had been stored in a barn and had more bird crap on it than on the eiffel tower! just see what effects kotton klenser had on it!
Alex

pappde wrote:Guys I am serious!
I bought a G&T Berliner and the label is wery gtimy. I do not want to wipe it off with the cleaner!!

Pappde, as a Berliner collector I would like you to read this very carefully please......do NOT use KK or anything else on a Berliner decal. You will be crying the blues BIG TIME if you do. BTW, if this regarding the G&T #3 you posted on "machines".....that decal is just honest wear and there is very little you can do to improve that. However, that said, there is nothing wrong with the decal showing it's age.

Alex, Please, a word of advice......don't suggest something that YOU personally have not tried.

gramophone78 wrote:
Alex, Please, a word of advice......don't suggest something that YOU personally have not tried.

I was only trying to help, do berliners have paper labels? I thought when he said about the decal I presumed it would have been the same as edison decals I.E water transfers varnished over

kirtley2012 wrote:

gramophone78 wrote:
Alex, Please, a word of advice......don't suggest something that YOU personally have not tried.

I was only trying to help, do berliners have paper labels? I thought when he said about the decal I presumed it would have been the same as edison decals I.E water transfers varnished over

Alex, I'm sure most of us older collectors understand your intentions. However, I'm sure I speak for others when I say you should sit back and learn a bit more from some of us. Something we are all willing to try and do. I do not want to go OT on this thread either.
However, I would like you to just take a minute and think.....what if the man that asked the question rushed right out and wiped that decal with KK ???. A product you have never handled on a Berliner you have never owned. This is the point I'm trying to get across to you.

Decal cleaning is a HIGHLY delicate operation. I use two cleaners for finishes: Kotton Klenser....... and New Life Furniture Masque made by RAMAX.

Both can be used for decals, but EXPERIENCE will fine tune your skills as to what to use.

Kotton Klenser is VERY VERY VERY POWERFUL as far as a cleaner goes. When I use it to clean decals, I leave it on for SECONDS....not minutes! I use it for cleaning off the thick toplayer of grime. For the fine detailed cleaning, I use New Life. NL is buffered with orange oil, and I have yet to have it dissolve a decal if left on for more than 40 seconds. It is a much more forgiving product than KK. I was turned on to NL in 2007, and at first I was very very skeptical about its cleaning abilities because it was so gentle. KK goes on fast, and dissolves dirt FAST. I've learned that this isn't always the best way to clean a cabinet.

On a Berliner decal......DON'T USE KOTTON KLENSER. Those decals are very delicate, and the KK will simply dissolve the black lettering, and lighten them to a lighter shade of charcoal.

I have done 4 Berliner decals with NL, and have been very satisfied with the results. It doesn't lighten the lettering, or remove the gold coloring.

NOW: If the shellac/varnish has pebbled on the decal (become sandy, and textured as such) do not apply any cleaner.....just the act of rubbing will remove finish AND decal coloring.

Post a picture? This will give us a better idea of what you are up against.

-Wyatt