Hi all ,
Been restoring a Zenith 6S532 , and run into a snag , the spring steel that holds the tone buttons in place are snapped off , anyone run in to this problem in the past ? also what is the original color of the benzel as mine is just white metal.
any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
P.S.
pic is the kind of radio I have

Has the spring broken, or has it popped off the spot where it was staked to the tone control?
I recall my popping of the control. I roughed it up with sand paper, cleaned it with solvent and epoxied it back on. That was about 10 years ago and its still together.

The escutcheons on the tone controls were cast-metal and painted. Kind off a dull gold. You might try to find a good photo of one.

Thanks Paul, both of my springs are broken , Guess I will have to come up with some kind of fix for them, dont know if you can buy spring steel ? Also I did try gold on the benzel ... way too bright, took it back off , I think maybe I'll try a antique brass or something.

FYI , had a old feeler gage I used one of thr thin blades and bent them into shape and JB welded them to the buttons , and they work about as good as the originals! Also settled on a paint . I took one of the buttons and matched it up to a Rust-oleum American Classics Metallic , Classic Bronze. Although the paint has a metalic look , the shade is about perfect and from a distance of a couple feet looks original.

Hi,
For spring steel source, I've used the larger paper clip metal. You can Dermel off a strip, just don't get it too hot.



Gold paint is usually too bright and gaudy. If you can find the small cans od PlastiKote Bras or Gold leaf, they are more subdued. the Brass color just about matches the escutcheons on Philcos like the 40-180.
Antique brass may be even more subdued. Check your local craft/JoAnns/Michaels/ etc outlets as they often have many colors not available in the big box stores.

Thanks Gary, the paper clip is a good Idea, another member also suggested a piece of old pallent banding can also be used as well
Elton