The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi, can anyone tell me what is the best paint to use on an Edison bedplate?
Thanks Gordon.

Black

I used acrylic lacquer on a model B home I restored a while back, with a cut and polish it looked like the original finish.

Regards Marcel

Hi Marcel, So you think black paint is best, I was hoping to find a tin of tartan paint. But seriously thanks for you help i'll give that a go.Thanks Gordon ..........BLACK

The historically correct finish on a black Edison bed plate is not 'paint', but rather a substance called asphaltum. Here is a link to where it can still be purchased today. Asphaltum is thick enough to cover the casting flaws in the metal and cure smooth.
http://www.libertyonthehudson.com/pontypool.html

Brown and maroon Edison bed plates are tinted shellac.

Here is a cheaper source for asphaltum:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/asphaltum-liquid/

I'm not sure why the place John M recommended is so expensive.
Dave Jolley

Hi Gordon.
I've found that asphaltum needs to be applied in thin coats. I thinned the asphaltum itself using paint thinner. It takes quite some time to cure enough to sand between coats. I ended up baking it in my oven about 4 hours at about 150 degrees. It took quite some time to do a bedplate that way. It looks good but even so, I had to touch-up areas with nigrosene. After all is said and done, I don't know that I might not get results that look as good using black rustoleum in a can. I think what really makes the bedplate look good is to use accurate decals (with microsolve) and do several over-coats of amber shellac. Good luck on your project!
-Martin

Thanks to everyone who has replied but I live in the UK and can't seem to find asphaltum over here .
Do you brush it on or do you spray it on? Gordon

have you tried ebay?

Thanks but I've already tried ebay.

Hi Gordon.

I used brush-on application for my restoration. After curing and sanding, it smoothed out nicely. Here is a link to a restoration thread where I used asphaltum:

http://victrolagramophones.proboards.co ... thread=141

(My apologies to those who have already seen this.) If the bedplate has only a few bad spots, you may be able to get away with a partial refinish. In one case I was able to feather-sand the rusty corner of a bedplate, repaint, apply repro decal in that one corner and coat the whole in shellac for a seamless repair. It took awhile but I was very pleased with the result. It would be nice to see photos of your project.

Regards,
Martin

**EDIT**
With regard to asphaltum, you may need to find an online supplier in the US and import it. Honestly, using a good brush-on enamel for metal will probably do the trick and save you some headaches. In any case, good luck!
-M.