UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

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-   Cabinet and Chassis Restoration and Refinishing (https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21)
-   -   Reviving a Finish (https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=148148)

PsychMan 16th Jul 2018 12:16 pm

Reviving a Finish
 
Ive never touched any cabinets before, but I'd like to have a go now. I have a Bush SRG86 with a rough cabinet, general lacklustre finish and some deeper scratches and gouges. I want to try and improve what is there and was thinking of using Rustins finish reviver, scratch remover, and possibly some wax pens for the deeper marks. Does anyone have experience of this Rustins product?

I see on here many mix white spirit and boiled linseed oil to achieve a similar effect? Any thoughts on if this is better and what ratios / wire wool gauge to use. I would imagine the original finish is cellulose lacquer as this is a late 50s gram.

OldTechFan96 16th Jul 2018 1:58 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
I've successfully used T-Cut to revive dull lacquered cabinets.

The cabinet went from dull and dirty looking to being nice and shiny. Then I finished it off with some wax polish from a tin.

John10b 16th Jul 2018 2:36 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
Just thought I point you towards the sticky “French Polishing for Beginners “ by Retired.
It contains very useful information which you might find interesting. I know you didn’t ask about FP but it does make a fascinating read.
Cheers
John

dseymo1 16th Jul 2018 3:20 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
Rustins Finish Reviver is similar in action to T-Cut, but perhaps rather less agressive, and does a great job without too much elbow grease required. Beware of letting it dry out on uneven surfaces though - the residue is very hard to remove from nooks and crannies.

Nickthedentist 16th Jul 2018 4:14 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
A clean with aerosol foaming cleaner, touching-in deep scratches with brown felt pens or woodstain, finishing with Rustins Scratch Cover often works well.

ThePillenwerfer 16th Jul 2018 5:41 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
It's surprising how effective beeswax rubbed on with 000 steel wool is.

Dirt can actually be your friend as if this gets redistributed it can effectively cover some blemishes.

PsychMan 22nd Jul 2018 12:25 am

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
I went for this stuff in the end:

http://www.howardproducts.com/product/restor-a-finish/

Largely an American product, but found online quite easily.

Some of the pictures and videos found online show pretty good results when faced with rough looking finishes. I'll post some before and after pictures when I've given it a go

PsychMan 24th Jul 2018 12:23 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
2 Attachment(s)
I tried it on the top first, as I'd originally planned to refinish it, it was so bad. Anyway here is a before and after. I used a bit of white spirit on cotton wool buds to remove the white paint specks first, and some wood soap to remove some of the tar like dirt on it. I then used fine wire wool to rub the restorer into the finish, let sit for 20 seconds and wiped dry. Pretty good results given such minimal effort and experience on my part. I will polish with beeswax polish at some point.

Thankfully the rest of the cabinet is in a lot better state to start with!

dave walsh 24th Jul 2018 2:40 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
"Looks Good" [pun intended] Psychman. Will def get some!

Dave

John10b 24th Jul 2018 4:09 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
It does look good, I used Danish Oil on my first attempt and was very pleased.
I’m just about to start on my second Radio Cabinet so I might just give this stuff a try.
Cheers
John

The Philpott 4th Aug 2018 11:12 am

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
I'll put this query under 'reviving a finish'.....

Early avominor boxes- a wooden box with aesthetic 'doming' achieved on the top by shaped and bonded cardboard or wood fibres. My query is regarding the faux lizard/snake skin outer layer (black) which is very thin. Is there a product anyone has tried which spruces up a tired finish somewhat without over-tarting it up? I am thinking beeswax perhaps.

Dave

peter_scott 4th Aug 2018 2:28 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
I find that linseed oil really enhances tired cabinets. It brings out the colour and hides small blemishes. There is no skill required in applying it. It does smell a bit and is initially oily but it does harden in a few days and loses its smell.

Peter

peter_scott 4th Aug 2018 3:41 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
1 Attachment(s)
Example of before and after with linseed oil treatment. (After is on the right.)

stevehertz 4th Aug 2018 3:48 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist (Post 1059189)
A clean with aerosol foaming cleaner, touching-in deep scratches with brown felt pens or woodstain, finishing with Rustins Scratch Cover often works well.

I agree with that pretty much as a first port of call. If that doesn't work, or if it doesn't come up to the standard expected, then frankly a refinish is needed. Personally I'd apply the scratch cover polish first so as to ensure that it has maximum 'soak in' capability before you 'wet' it with other cleaners etc. Both the old cracked lacquer and any exposed wood will be like a sponge to the scratch cover polish if they're nice and dry. Old, cracked lacquer can look totally revived with scratch cover polish. For most people, this level of cosmetic restoration is all that is needed to obtain a nice, presentable, visually atractive version of the set in question.

BTW, Wilko sell scratch cover polish in three colours. I generally start with a colour that is lighter (ie 'light' or 'medium', rarely 'dark') than what I think is needed as it does have a tendency to darken the old finish. Best of luck. :thumbsup:

The Philpott 9th Aug 2018 7:09 pm

Re: Reviving a Finish
 
Further to post #11, i found that wax polish was no good, as a white residue was left in the low points after the solvent had departed. I went over the 'skin' sparingly with 3 in 1. Thus far this is satisfactory, leaves only a slight sheen and once it has soaked in there is no significant odour.


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