My Philco 41-280 radio has, for a better word, a crinkled finish:



The finish looks dried out.
What do you suggest to improve the appearance?

I've recapped this radio and replaced the Escutcheon, buttons, and knobs - they were melted
as it had been stored in a hot attic by the previous owner.
Most of the rest of the cabinet looks pretty good.

Carl

I use refinisher with steel wool.
Melts off the laquer, leaves the stain.
Reapply laquer with desired sheen.

This assumes you like the colors/shades and not major wood repairs.

My 2c

Tim

Looks like you are making good progress.I started on a 285 yesterday. It's pretty bad.....see photo. Where did you get your parts? I can probably repair everything but the dial plate. The escutcheon shrunk and will have to be modified to get it to fit the knobs. Sure would like to find a dial plate, if not more !!

Ed

Tim, Howards Refinisher???

Thanks

Carl

Those old Philcos don't get much respect, but I find them to be great performers, have a lot of quality, and they look good. My 41-280 is the best AM and SW performer in my collection.

My Escutcheon and pushbuttons looked like your radio - all distorted and melted.

I got my Escutcheon and the pushbuttons at the Radio conference in Charlotte (CC-AWA). I think the vendor was Old Radio Parts -- http://www.OldRadioParts.net

You will have to re-use your brass strip.

For the push buttons, I selected 7 brown ones and a red one - for the ON/OFF function. The Escutcheon and pushbuttons are reproductions that are nicely made.

Replacing the Escutcheon and pushbuttons made a dramatic improvement in looks.

Glass dial plates for these Philcos are available too.
Don't recall where I saw them - anyone else have sources?

Carl

I believe your dial glass is sold in reproduction by Radio Daze. Please check the link below:

http://www.radiodaze.com/category/338.aspx

Peter

No, Formbys makes a "refinisher" that removes old top-coat. There are other brands too. This will leave the stain. You will use a lot of rags but it's effective. http://www.formbys.com/products/refinisher/

Tim

Thank you. Radio Daze has the dial listed. I'll check oldradioparts.org for the escutcheon also. My work is cut out for me !! Ed

Update
Here is the finished product. Mark O. had everything I needed. Thanks for the information.

Ed

Wow, looks very nice. Did you totally strip and refinish?

Check out this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=191049

This technique may work for you.

- Geoff

The wood may not be stained underneath - the color was probably done with toning lacquer which, when removed, would remove the color as well.

If thats the case with the laquer cracking, so would be the stain and it would be time for new.

After a thorough cleaning, spray another coat of lacquer. That will reflow the old layers to a certain extent, then spray with Mohawk Blush Remover/Retarder which will reflow even more. Works great - I've had some lizard-skin finishes that came out almost like new.

Did you wait until the coat of lacquer fully dried before spraying the blush remover/retarder or while it was still wet?

- Geoff