Restoring hardboard back panels - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

6SN7WGTB · 2nd Sep 2025, 6:25 am

Just received a Goblin Time Spot for restoration, which has the traditional brown coated hardboard back panel and all the corners have become frayed and floppy. It reminded me to post my restoration process.

I touched in the exposed hardboard with acrylic paint and then painted on Titebond III PVA wood adhesive to the board and edges.

This I then clamped between two pieces of Plastikard (which don't stick to the glue) and left overnight.

Unclamping reveals a restored, rigid and true corner to the panel with a hole that will now take the screw again.

This also works with creases and so on.

If you're feeling particular fastidious you can then use some satin/gloss acrylic varnish to restore the shine, although you will find the PVA tends to leave a satin surface which usually does the job.

G6Tanuki · 2nd Sep 2025, 11:30 am

For clamping this sort of thing while the glue dries, I can recommend using old car number plates. The plastic is smooth so the glue doesn't stick to it, and being slightly flexible means it's easy to peel off once the glue has hardened.

I have also used this trick to get a nice smooth surface when using car body filler to repair plastic cases on things like ghetto blasters.

2nd Sep 2025, 6:25 am	#1
6SN7WGTB Heptode Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Crawley, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 511	Restoring hardboard back panels Just received a Goblin Time Spot for restoration, which has the traditional brown coated hardboard back panel and all the corners have become frayed and floppy. It reminded me to post my restoration process. I touched in the exposed hardboard with acrylic paint and then painted on Titebond III PVA wood adhesive to the board and edges. This I then clamped between two pieces of Plastikard (which don't stick to the glue) and left overnight. Unclamping reveals a restored, rigid and true corner to the panel with a hole that will now take the screw again. This also works with creases and so on. If you're feeling particular fastidious you can then use some satin/gloss acrylic varnish to restore the shine, although you will find the PVA tends to leave a satin surface which usually does the job. __________________ Richard \| BVWS & RSGB member \|

2nd Sep 2025, 11:30 am	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 15,690	Re: Restoring hardboard back panels For clamping this sort of thing while the glue dries, I can recommend using old car number plates. The plastic is smooth so the glue doesn't stick to it, and being slightly flexible means it's easy to peel off once the glue has hardened. I have also used this trick to get a nice smooth surface when using car body filler to repair plastic cases on things like ghetto blasters. __________________ "It's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on!" -Marilyn Monroe .