Teak cabinet advice - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PsychMan · 22nd Nov 2020, 3:57 pm

I have a nicely little (I assume home made) teak or teak veneer cabinet for my Garrard AT60.

It’s seen better days, some nasty scratches on the front, and generally quite dried out in various places.

I’m not looking to work miracles, just tidy it up a bit. Is teak oil better than danish oil for this? And is the typical DIY store teak oil, as sold for outdoor furniture ok to use?

Thanks
Adam

stevehertz · 22nd Nov 2020, 4:22 pm

It all depends on whether the finish is 'raw', untreated teak or if it has some kind of finish on it albeit thin. If it's the former then teak oil should do the job, if it's the latter, then Danish oil as that will deposit a finish. Ideally a few photos would help to offer advice.

Also consider scratch cover polish, it works very well on older, scratched cabinets.

PsychMan · 22nd Nov 2020, 5:15 pm

Sorry forget to add the pictures.

It seems to have little to no finish on it. When I wiped it down with white spirit to clean it, it temporarily looked better which suggests an oil based finish would improve it. But I guess it will also darken it a tad too.

It’s not a bad little cabinet, but unfortunately the lid doesn’t close properly when the auto spindle is on it. Almost like the measurements didn’t account for the decks spring loading. Given they came with single play spindles too, maybe it was accepted you take it out when finished

stevehertz · 22nd Nov 2020, 5:23 pm

I would use 'light' (colour) scratch cover polish on that. It's a mix of oils and dyes. Lots of brands.

PsychMan · 22nd Nov 2020, 8:57 pm

Thanks Steve, sounds good. I’m after minimal effort, maximum results on this

.
I’ve spent a few entire days on the deck itself!

Cheers
Adam

stevehertz · 23rd Nov 2020, 8:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychMan

Thanks Steve, sounds good. I’m after minimal effort, maximum results on this

.
I’ve spent a few entire days on the deck itself!

Cheers
Adam

You will be amazed at how those scratches 'disapear'!

Goldie99 · 23rd Nov 2020, 1:01 pm

I've had success repairing speaker cabinets using an older Colron product (the 'Furniture Care Kit'), no longer available, but their site does still list the full range of their products, as well as several useful 'How to' guides explaining their use.

Alan

PsychMan · 26th Nov 2020, 11:34 am

Just thought I'd share the results. Pic 1 is a before picture of course.

I used Rustins "scratch cover - light". Yellowy looking stuff in a small glass bottle.

Initially the dark scratches showed up much darker (2nd pic), and I thought this was as good as it would get. Which was still an improvement, in fairness.

But after its completely dried, they have blended in FAR better. I was pretty amazed when I saw it later (pic 3)

Now, you can do several treatments of this stuff for deep scratches apparently to get the colour right, but so far this is all from ONE go, which took only 40 seconds to apply. I think with a 2nd it might look even better.

In areas not pictured, light scratches have disappeared entirely

Pretty amazing if you ask me! A great ratio of effort to result, which is what I wanted

Adam

stevehertz · 26th Nov 2020, 12:02 pm

Great result Adam, well done.

merlinmaxwell · 26th Nov 2020, 1:49 pm

Quote:

I’m after minimal effort, maximum results on this

The best is 20% effort 80% finish, I have yet to find a really quick way of finishing damaged wood. You have done quite well BTW (sticks solution in memory).

22nd Nov 2020, 3:57 pm	#1
PsychMan Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,626	Teak cabinet advice I have a nicely little (I assume home made) teak or teak veneer cabinet for my Garrard AT60. It’s seen better days, some nasty scratches on the front, and generally quite dried out in various places. I’m not looking to work miracles, just tidy it up a bit. Is teak oil better than danish oil for this? And is the typical DIY store teak oil, as sold for outdoor furniture ok to use? Thanks Adam

22nd Nov 2020, 4:22 pm	#2
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 4,945	Re: Teak cabinet advice It all depends on whether the finish is 'raw', untreated teak or if it has some kind of finish on it albeit thin. If it's the former then teak oil should do the job, if it's the latter, then Danish oil as that will deposit a finish. Ideally a few photos would help to offer advice. Also consider scratch cover polish, it works very well on older, scratched cabinets. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

22nd Nov 2020, 5:15 pm	#3
PsychMan Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,626	Re: Teak cabinet advice Sorry forget to add the pictures. It seems to have little to no finish on it. When I wiped it down with white spirit to clean it, it temporarily looked better which suggests an oil based finish would improve it. But I guess it will also darken it a tad too. It’s not a bad little cabinet, but unfortunately the lid doesn’t close properly when the auto spindle is on it. Almost like the measurements didn’t account for the decks spring loading. Given they came with single play spindles too, maybe it was accepted you take it out when finished Attached Thumbnails

22nd Nov 2020, 5:23 pm	#4
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 4,945	Re: Teak cabinet advice I would use 'light' (colour) scratch cover polish on that. It's a mix of oils and dyes. Lots of brands. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

22nd Nov 2020, 8:57 pm	#5
PsychMan Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,626	Re: Teak cabinet advice Thanks Steve, sounds good. I’m after minimal effort, maximum results on this . I’ve spent a few entire days on the deck itself! Cheers Adam

23rd Nov 2020, 1:01 pm	#7
Goldie99 Heptode Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boston, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 673	Re: Teak cabinet advice I've had success repairing speaker cabinets using an older Colron product (the 'Furniture Care Kit'), no longer available, but their site does still list the full range of their products, as well as several useful 'How to' guides explaining their use. Alan

26th Nov 2020, 11:34 am	#8
PsychMan Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,626	Re: Teak cabinet advice Just thought I'd share the results. Pic 1 is a before picture of course. I used Rustins "scratch cover - light". Yellowy looking stuff in a small glass bottle. Initially the dark scratches showed up much darker (2nd pic), and I thought this was as good as it would get. Which was still an improvement, in fairness. But after its completely dried, they have blended in FAR better. I was pretty amazed when I saw it later (pic 3) Now, you can do several treatments of this stuff for deep scratches apparently to get the colour right, but so far this is all from ONE go, which took only 40 seconds to apply. I think with a 2nd it might look even better. In areas not pictured, light scratches have disappeared entirely Pretty amazing if you ask me! A great ratio of effort to result, which is what I wanted Adam Attached Thumbnails

26th Nov 2020, 12:02 pm	#9
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 4,945	Re: Teak cabinet advice Great result Adam, well done. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..