Ekco BPT333 Case - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

GrahamN · 13th Mar 2009, 7:07 pm

Any suggestions please.

I have an Ekco BPT333 transistor radio with the case in a pretty poor condition. Apart from being very dirty, the covering (Rexine?) is a bit threadbare on some of the edges and there are a number of bad burn marks where presumably cigarettes have been rested on the case and have burnt down.

My question is - should I re-cover, or is it possible to paint or otherwise make it look a bit better other than just a generally clean (which I shall be doing in any case). If I re-cover it, is it possible to get anything like the original? Or is there a better alternative?

Thanks

chipp1968 · 14th Mar 2009, 12:41 am

Pics may help here to see how bad it is

Darren-UK · 14th Mar 2009, 2:42 pm

With threadbare edges and burn marks paint, shoecream, etc will improve it only up to a point. You'd need to clean it first anyway and that could well remove even more colour and/or reveal yet more blemishes.

The problem with burns is that, even though the blackening can be disguised the scar left by the heat cannot be. At the very least, the surface texture of the rexine will have been destroyed.

This is a radio with a straightforward, boxy cabinet so recovering would be a relatively easy task.

As has been said though, a picture or two might be useful to determine just how bad it actually is.

GrahamN · 14th Mar 2009, 10:03 pm

Sorry - I've been out all day today. I'll take a few pictures in the morning.

GrahamN · 15th Mar 2009, 11:35 am

Pictures as promised.

chipp1968 · 15th Mar 2009, 12:18 pm

Scrub it up and see how bad it is then . Dont rub too hard or the finish may go thin. I supect that to be presentable ,re covering may be best option . If you can remove the original in whole pieces this will help as templates . Sid chaplain ,who does grill cloth also does vynal ,which may or may not work . It may be too thick .But I belive that taditional rexines are available in paper backed and maybe even cloth . I dont know where from but I think I read something on this site a couple of years ago.

Brian R Pateman · 15th Mar 2009, 1:46 pm

This thread, https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=24451

in the archive deals with suppliers of Rexine.

Regards,

GrahamN · 15th Mar 2009, 2:43 pm

Thanks Brian.

I did find that earlier (though from a Google search rather than the forum search for some reason). If I can't find anything else, I may order some and hope I can do a recover without totally ruining the radio!

13th Mar 2009, 7:07 pm	#1
GrahamN Hexode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK. Posts: 391	Ekco BPT333 Case Any suggestions please. I have an Ekco BPT333 transistor radio with the case in a pretty poor condition. Apart from being very dirty, the covering (Rexine?) is a bit threadbare on some of the edges and there are a number of bad burn marks where presumably cigarettes have been rested on the case and have burnt down. My question is - should I re-cover, or is it possible to paint or otherwise make it look a bit better other than just a generally clean (which I shall be doing in any case). If I re-cover it, is it possible to get anything like the original? Or is there a better alternative? Thanks

14th Mar 2009, 12:41 am	#2
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Ekco BPT333 Case Pics may help here to see how bad it is

14th Mar 2009, 2:42 pm	#3
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Ekco BPT333 Case With threadbare edges and burn marks paint, shoecream, etc will improve it only up to a point. You'd need to clean it first anyway and that could well remove even more colour and/or reveal yet more blemishes. The problem with burns is that, even though the blackening can be disguised the scar left by the heat cannot be. At the very least, the surface texture of the rexine will have been destroyed. This is a radio with a straightforward, boxy cabinet so recovering would be a relatively easy task. As has been said though, a picture or two might be useful to determine just how bad it actually is.

14th Mar 2009, 10:03 pm	#4
GrahamN Hexode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK. Posts: 391	Re: Ekco BPT333 Case Sorry - I've been out all day today. I'll take a few pictures in the morning.

15th Mar 2009, 11:35 am	#5
GrahamN Hexode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK. Posts: 391	Re: Ekco BPT333 Case Pictures as promised. Attached Thumbnails

15th Mar 2009, 12:18 pm	#6
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Ekco BPT333 Case Scrub it up and see how bad it is then . Dont rub too hard or the finish may go thin. I supect that to be presentable ,re covering may be best option . If you can remove the original in whole pieces this will help as templates . Sid chaplain ,who does grill cloth also does vynal ,which may or may not work . It may be too thick .But I belive that taditional rexines are available in paper backed and maybe even cloth . I dont know where from but I think I read something on this site a couple of years ago.

15th Mar 2009, 1:46 pm	#7
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: Ekco BPT333 Case This thread, https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=24451 in the archive deals with suppliers of Rexine. Regards, __________________ Brian

15th Mar 2009, 2:43 pm	#8
GrahamN Hexode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK. Posts: 391	Re: Ekco BPT333 Case Thanks Brian. I did find that earlier (though from a Google search rather than the forum search for some reason). If I can't find anything else, I may order some and hope I can do a recover without totally ruining the radio!