Hi, I'm Angie. My grandfather passed away a few months ago at age 86, and I spent a long day Monday helping my parents clean out the garage where he repaired lawnmowers and made woodcrafts during his long retirement. I took home his radio out of sentimentality -- still tuned to his favorite country station, even though he hadn't worked in the shop for several years.

I'm guessing, based on the Sears Silvertone production dates, that it is of the late 1960s-early 1970s variety, but I haven't been able to find any further info yet. The only label says "Sears Silvertone Solid State Stereophonic," and on the back is what I assume is a serial number: 2002892. I'm doubtful it's a very collectible vintage, especially in its current shape, but I'm not looking to sell it anyway.

I wasn't sure where to post this, but my questions have to do with cleaning. The radio has faux-wood, plastic end caps that can be wiped clean, but the fabric top was covered with a quarter-inch of sawdust. I very gently used a dust-buster to vacuum the sawdust off the surface, but I'm sure much of the sawdust has migrated inside the radio, too. The back panel screws off, but I haven't been brave enough to see what kind of Indiana spiders and dust bunnies have made their way inside in the past 40 years. I'm looking for any tips on the best ways to clean the fabric panels (which remain very dirty) and the insides without damaging the components, which I know nothing about.

Anyway, obviously I don't really belong here, but I'm hoping all you experts will be willing to offer any basic advice for a sentimental newcomer. I appreciate any tips you have, as well as any further info about this radio's vintage.

You probably won't do any damage if you remove the back and use a vacuum cleaner with a hose that has the brush-type end on it (not a dust-buster). I doubt there's many things inside that would be damaged, even if you bumped them. Solid state means there's no glass tubes in it! Does it still play?

Tom

Thanks for the advice, I'll try that. It does still play and sounds great to me!

You can fit what I know about radios in one of those tiny dials. I appreciate all the expertise on this site. I realize my radio is too new to be really collectible, but a lot of the posts here are really helpful and interesting. I think I might have found a new hobby...

Great!

You might be able to get rid of more of the dust by taking a small paint brush, and carefully brushing while running the vacuum hose nearby.

Brett