Here is a picture of this radio:

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/kolster_br_k21.html

The radio I have is totally trashed and I am basically rebuilding the cabinet. My goal is to restore it to like-new, but as authentic as possible condition. My first question is what did it look like new. Is this Radiomusem version accurate? For example, the gold metal feet depicted on this Radiomusem picture may not be correct as there is NO hint of gold on my radio. Similarly, the metal trim on this Radiomuseum version is a coppertone whereas the trim on my radio was clearly black. It is, of course, possible that someone painted my radio, but it doesn't look like it. it is also possible that there were a number of different versions of this radio produced.
The more difficult issue is how to refinish the wooden walls of this cabinet. There is a thin wash of paint (yellowish color) on my radio and unless I can get some suggestions here, I am going to have to do a lot of experimenting to come up with a reasonable replica. If you look at the end wall picture of the Radiomuseum radio, you can better see the yellowish (even greenish) coloring.
The only thing I can think of is to mix a color with my oil paints and thin it out so it goes on like a wash. Do I seal the wood first, or even put a coat of finish on it before the wash? Help!

Thanks,

Barry

Barry - I have a K20 console which is the same radio as yours but sitting on a speaker base. Mine is a nice unrestored original. The feet are brass. Mine have a dark patina to them but they were probably originally an antiqued brass not highly polished. The metal trim is definitely copper toned and not black. The finish on mine is a wash more on the light green side. Good luck with the restoration.

Jay

Thanks Jay,
I cleaned one of the feet on mine, and you are right, it appears to be brass. I found a number of other K-20s on the Internet and they are very different from one another. The problem is whether they reflect the original radio or were incorrectly restored.

Barry

Hi Barry. Welcome to the forum! I also own a K-20/21. For many years I assumed that the original cabinet finish was an odd sort of avacado green (let's hear it for 1969...can Harvest Gold be far behind??) . ANYHOW, I have read in various places that the ACTUAL finish was a dark walnut. The GREEN appears to be the result of the composition of the laquer that was used. Apparently, it just does not stand up in most cases. It may be that the laquer was so THIN that moisture in the air caused the effect that we see VERY often. You CAN apply laquer thinner with fine (#000 or #0000) steel wool and bring the original finish back OR simply admit that this process is entirely TOO labor intensive (!!) and strip the old finish and start over. As already stated in other responses, the feet were a burnished brass and the corner hardware was kind of a gun-metal gray. GOOD LUCK! dave

Well, I stripped and repaired the side walls and top of this radio only to uncover a beautiful walnut veneer. Since the manufacturer went to the expense of using walnut, I am presuming at least some of the versions of this model radio were finished without any paint or wash or whatever it is on some of the models. Therefore, I am going to use a clear finish on the wood panels, to show off the walnut, stain the trim around the bottom of the cabinet and around the rim of the top black (ebony) and spray paint the metal trim pieces black. I will clean the bronze feet to show that they are bronze.
I have seen pictures of some versions of this radio decked out in this fashion, and I now believe they are authentic versions. In any case, it is going to look great!

Barry

I'd like to see pics when you're done. Good luck with it. Jay