beard1747

[beard1747]

G'day all, i am a new member

I am trying to do up an old (approx 1937??) valve radio which i believe has a shellac finish (light colour);however, there is a moulding at the top and bottom and also the timber slats over the speaker which has a very dark brown like dark chocolate color and glossy finish and no grain can be seen; i have been able to scratch some off with a scalpel; does anyone know what this material would be and how to renew it? thank you

[munruben]

Welcome to the forum. I can't help you but I am sure someone will be able to.

[watson]

G'day and welcome.

Might they be Bakelite?? with no grain that may be the case.

[dr4g0nfly]

A couple of photos might help, any name on it or other makers marks.

[Ed Reiss]

Hi Beard. radio cases in that era almost exclusively used shellac as the finish of choice. It's very possible that the moulding sections that are dark were treated to a stain then shellac top coat..

Hope this helps.

[beard1747]

thank you for your replies; just for the record, i am a 61yo very part time woodturner with a crook lathe (motor dies under load); have posted 2 pics showing the radio shell which i have stained except for the top and bottom mouldings (not bakelite)which had the dark black stuff on (now sanded off); second pic shows close up of the black material over the partly sanded timber slats over the speaker;the brand of radio is Croyden; thanks again

[artme]

G'day Beard1747 and welcome to our nomenclature of addictions.:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

Look like you might have a fine example of an Art Deco Radio. Will be good to see it finished.
Many of the pieces from that era were covered in a dark and ultimately brittle "varnish. Shame that it hid so much beautiful timber.

[beard1747]

thanks Ed and Artme & others, i could not agree more that the black substance now identified as a varnish hid such a good timber moulding; unfortunately some black 'substance' leached into the moulding on the corners which i cant sand out so will have to go with the black finish; in any case, i guess it should be restored to what it was; pics i submitted are so small as i had to bring them down to an 800x800 dimension to fit this forums program format; by the way rang Feast Watsons help line; guy suggested Cabots walnut stain!! rather than something from their own range; will keep posted and try to get some black varnish; someone at work suggested black Japan;

Cheers and beers
John (beard1747)

[jaywit]

Hi,
The mouldings are sure to be NDHW"non descript hard wood".Hard to match the walnut veneer so almost all of the time they were made a contrast.
Most manufacturers had their own finishes,highly unlikely shellac as to build up is too time consuming.Probably a gum based varnish and a last finish stage with a rubber(french polishing pad).This type of finish with it being fairly heavy became brittle and checked with age and heat.
jaywit

[beard1747]

Hi Jaywit
thanks for your reply; think you are right about the contrast bit as it is dark and no grain shows; can you still get gum based varish? if so, what do you put on the rubber to finish it; I got a product from Feast Watson called French Polish (which you would no doubt be familiar with) from a hardware outlet couple of months back on store recommendation and put it on but it was useless and came up with a finish like light maple; will now sand it off

[watson]

G'day Beard,
I'm moving your thread into the restoration forum.........otherwise you'll never get out of the "G'day" Area. Time to get your feet wet mate.

[beard1747]

thanks mate i am a slow learner!!

[watson]

No you're OK...Slowly Slowly Catchee Worm..........have fun.