I recieved another broken radio off of ebay. I really liked it so I decided to keep it and redo it instead of returning it because the seller would have probably just thrown it in the trash.

I used a dremal to cut groves across the inside crack and epoxied three finished nails into the grooves. Than I went over the entire crack with fiberglass. Then I painted the sides and top in a hammered tone copper. I added a bit of color to the dial using transparent stainglass paint.

I think it turned out pretty good and I saved another radio from becoming just another parts radio on my shelf.







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I know that some people have suggested that you should but I never bothered with re-enforcing a crack and never had any trouble with getting the epoxy to hold. In the case of holes or large chips it's another story, unless they are small it's generally a good idea to insert some cloth into the filler material. I rather like the hammered paint, someone said that there is a trick that you can use to get it to lay smooth with fewer divots, heat I think.
With regard to a radio breaking due to improper packing there really is no obligation on your part to ship it back. Part of the user agreement states that your are supposed to receive an item as it was pictured and described, you didn't purchase the radio knowing it would arrive with a crack in it. Most people, to be a good sport, will usually negotiate a partial refund rater then hitting up the seller for the full price or sending it back.
Best Regards
Arran

I really like the hammertone, just seems right. And ebay shippers, just got one on Tuesday, arrived as matchsticks, and toothpicks.

Crewbus..beautiful job..i have a few questions since i have the exact same radio that i sready for a redo..how did you get the dial atomic symbol so clean like that? did you fine brush pain that? and is the hammertone a one step spray process? and one more, what type of brush did you use on the dial with the stain glass paint? i really admire the clean look of the dial and the illumination ..is that the original spec lamp in there?
thx for any and all suggestions and steps info...i am a newbie and am a little unsure of where to start with this project!
regards..rich

Thanks Rich, The atomic symbol was in good shape, I just went over it lightly with water and it cleaned up nice.
Yes the Hammertone is one step but you do need a primer coat. I bought it at Ace hardware.
I used a fine artist brush to paint the dial, Its not original but I think it looks good.
The lamp is the one that came with the radio, not sure if its the one that should be in there or not.

Thanks for looking, John

John....couple more questions..i assume then, that the hammertone is a spray on? it really appears
to be 'hammered' to me..and what primer should i use? color wise..and where did you buy the stained
glass paint? i just cannot get over how good she looks compared to what you started with!
i really appreciate you taking the time to offer suggestions..and this forum is fantastic
for all levels..i really like the way you 'older' guys help the rookies!
does the radio sound good after the restore inside?
oh, one more..did you have to clean the clear dial cover with anything like novus?
thx again John..rich

Hello John,
looks great

Very nice John! I really like the texture of the hammered paint and your dial has more color that adds to the atomic logo. Great save!

I used gray primer, the color you use will slightly change to color of the Hammer tone paint,.
The stained glass paint I got at Michaels crafts, you have to put many coats on for the color to build up and not look to pale when backlit.
It sounds like a Radio, nothing special.
I used Mothers wheel polish to get the deeper scratches out of the dial plastic, then I used 3M plastic polish for the final polish.
I think it turned out good, I have it on a shelf in my radio room.