The wood effect mystery - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stevekendal · 27th Jan 2016, 1:28 am

Just bought a mid-fifties Sobell set in plastic, but with a very convincing wood effect. Not the sort of thing you could patch up, but I was wondering how this was created? I have had GEC sets like this and it looks good quite close up.

ms660 · 27th Jan 2016, 2:06 am

Hot stamping was used on TV cabinets so far as I know.

Lawrence.

brenellic2000 · 27th Jan 2016, 2:19 pm

If it is textured surface it may well be as Lawrence suggests hot-stamped but in the 1950s photographic copies of woodgrain on paper were increasingly being developed as inexpensive encapsulated wood-effect trim applied to carcasses - the forerunner of Fablon (and todays foil-laminates), some of which were (unconvincingly) textured and seemingly not an applied material.

Panrock · 27th Jan 2016, 3:37 pm

When the cabinet is really badly gone and it's worth starting again from scratch, you can build up a new wood effect by using a fan-shaped brush to apply lines or squiggles of walnut toner over a sprayed-on gold base. Then finally, a light sealing coat of clear acrylic.

Not a fun job. I've only ever had to do it once, on this GEC.

Steve

McMurdo · 28th Jan 2016, 12:11 am

I always wondered how they did it on those post war GECs, every one I've seen has been part-worn off. I'm guessing it's screen printed (?); it's a smooth surface. Pre war models of the same shape were luxuriously veneered!
I have a grundig radio with worn-off woodgrain image. There seems to be a plethora of wood graining brushes, combs, draggers, grainers, and other gadgets for this purpose. That GEC looks good Steve and I've used your website for cabinet finishing tips many a time!

27th Jan 2016, 1:28 am	#1
stevekendal Heptode Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kendal, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 625	The wood effect mystery Just bought a mid-fifties Sobell set in plastic, but with a very convincing wood effect. Not the sort of thing you could patch up, but I was wondering how this was created? I have had GEC sets like this and it looks good quite close up. __________________ Knobs and tubes rule ok

27th Jan 2016, 2:06 am	#2
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: The wood effect mystery Hot stamping was used on TV cabinets so far as I know. Lawrence.

27th Jan 2016, 2:19 pm	#3
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: The wood effect mystery If it is textured surface it may well be as Lawrence suggests hot-stamped but in the 1950s photographic copies of woodgrain on paper were increasingly being developed as inexpensive encapsulated wood-effect trim applied to carcasses - the forerunner of Fablon (and todays foil-laminates), some of which were (unconvincingly) textured and seemingly not an applied material.

27th Jan 2016, 3:37 pm	#4
Panrock Nonode Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 2,533	Re: The wood effect mystery When the cabinet is really badly gone and it's worth starting again from scratch, you can build up a new wood effect by using a fan-shaped brush to apply lines or squiggles of walnut toner over a sprayed-on gold base. Then finally, a light sealing coat of clear acrylic. Not a fun job. I've only ever had to do it once, on this GEC. Steve Attached Thumbnails __________________ https://www.radiocraft.co.uk

28th Jan 2016, 12:11 am	#5
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,271	Re: The wood effect mystery I always wondered how they did it on those post war GECs, every one I've seen has been part-worn off. I'm guessing it's screen printed (?); it's a smooth surface. Pre war models of the same shape were luxuriously veneered! I have a grundig radio with worn-off woodgrain image. There seems to be a plethora of wood graining brushes, combs, draggers, grainers, and other gadgets for this purpose. That GEC looks good Steve and I've used your website for cabinet finishing tips many a time! __________________ Kevin