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Results 1 to 13 of 13
Thread: beard1747
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25th April 2009, 12:16 PM #1
New Member
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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
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25th April 2009, 07:44 PM #2
Welcome to the forum. I can't help you but I am sure someone will be able to.
Reality is no background music.
Cheers John
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25th April 2009, 08:41 PM #3
G'day and welcome.
Might they be Bakelite?? with no grain that may be the case.
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26th April 2009, 08:03 AM #4
A couple of photos might help, any name on it or other makers marks.
Dragonfly
No-one suspects the dragonfly!
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26th April 2009, 12:43 PM #5
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.Cheers,
Ed
Do something that is stupid and fun today, then run like hell !!!
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26th April 2009, 12:47 PM #6
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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
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26th April 2009, 09:13 PM #7
Skwair2rownd
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G'day Beard1747 and welcome to our nomenclature of addictions.
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.
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27th April 2009, 07:35 PM #8
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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)
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29th April 2009, 01:40 AM #9
retired french polisher
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radio
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
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30th April 2009, 06:08 PM #10
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radio
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
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30th April 2009, 07:05 PM #11
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.
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30th April 2009, 08:22 PM #12
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thanks mate i am a slow learner!!
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30th April 2009, 08:25 PM #13
No you're OK...Slowly Slowly Catchee Worm..........have fun.