1970s White...what should it be? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Dourness · 13th Jan 2014, 11:59 pm

Hi folks,

I'm currently restoring a 1970s Dynatron HFC 36 for my daughter. The case is (or, rather, was) white but it's been badly stained with nicotine, water and other unidentifiable muck. The paint has decomposed so it is powdery and any cleaning just strips what's left.

It's simply just too mucky to leave as patina so we've decided on a light sand and respray. She likes her vintage and things to feel just right so would prefer an 'authentic' white, and I like that idea. But I'm struggling to work out what it should be. I'm pretty sure a 1970s white isn't a contemporary 'brilliant white', nor that grey/blue tint in 'paper-white', nor is it that creamy 'Old English White'. I'm not even sure how glossy it should be - the paint has decomposed to matt but I would have thought it would have had some gloss originally. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Or am I just being too finicky?

Best,

Geoff

David G4EBT · 14th Jan 2014, 12:21 am

'Antique White' aerosols are widely available - some are just 'off white' - others are almost cream.

Google "ANTIQUE WHITE GLOSS Fast Dry Rustoleum Spray Paint Aerosol 400ml" for an example of what's available.

Hope that helps.

Paul_RK · 14th Jan 2014, 3:36 am

Memory tells me they were a pretty uncompromising white, with indeed some element of gloss - http://audiogold.co.uk/wp-content/up...ldringGL75.jpg is the only photo of a white '70s Dynatron music centre I found online just now, and its quite stark white agrees with what I remember of them. Then, just about any forty year old white paint finish will have yellowed to some visible extent by now, and the paper and dyes in catalogues will have changed - without an original specification for the paint it's impossible to know exactly how it would have looked, and even debatable whether you'd want to reproduce that in any case. It's a question that divides restorers, whether the ideal end is an item looking as though it's just left the factory, or as though it's spent its however many years in a careful and smoke-free home environment. I certainly lean toward the latter myself, but mostly by way of being minimal in active restoration, I'm not so sure I would deliberately pick a shade of paint to try to simulate the effect of the passing years.

Just some thoughts which may or may not help at all. I think these music centres when new were as stark a white as http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg - http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73...0f382228fa.jpg shows a Murphy TV of the period, which I'd guess would have been a good visual match.

Paul

lastx33 · 14th Jan 2014, 4:06 am

If it was a stark white then something like RAL 9010 may have been the original shade.

ex seismic · 14th Jan 2014, 9:57 am

In the 1970s BMC cars followed Old English White with Glacier White. Think MGB GTs, lots of white ones around, including mine. Still available in aerosol cans although maybe not in Halfords. Try MG Owners Club if stuck.

Gordon

fetteler · 14th Jan 2014, 4:04 pm

HI Geoff,
I don't tink you are being too finiky at all

Things were bright in the '70s... I'd go for a clean bright pure white with an egshell (satin) finish, that won't be too far away from authentic if my mind serves me!

Good luck with this - how about a pic when you're done

Steve.

Radio Wrangler · 14th Jan 2014, 5:41 pm

Ford did Ermine white, it was whiter than BMC old english.

But beware, car paint can react badly to other paints and produce bubbles and crackle.

David

ReelToReel · 15th Jan 2014, 8:59 pm

Hi Geoff,

I resprayed some Wharfdale speakers that had a 70,s look to them and used Ford Diamond white over light grey undercoat .

Cheers Mark

fetteler · 16th Jan 2014, 12:40 am

Yea Yea Yea!!!! Well done.

They look great - just as I remember them

Steve.

13th Jan 2014, 11:59 pm	#1
Dourness Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Leicester, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 49	1970s White...what should it be? Hi folks, I'm currently restoring a 1970s Dynatron HFC 36 for my daughter. The case is (or, rather, was) white but it's been badly stained with nicotine, water and other unidentifiable muck. The paint has decomposed so it is powdery and any cleaning just strips what's left. It's simply just too mucky to leave as patina so we've decided on a light sand and respray. She likes her vintage and things to feel just right so would prefer an 'authentic' white, and I like that idea. But I'm struggling to work out what it should be. I'm pretty sure a 1970s white isn't a contemporary 'brilliant white', nor that grey/blue tint in 'paper-white', nor is it that creamy 'Old English White'. I'm not even sure how glossy it should be - the paint has decomposed to matt but I would have thought it would have had some gloss originally. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or am I just being too finicky? Best, Geoff

14th Jan 2014, 12:21 am	#2
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,760	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? 'Antique White' aerosols are widely available - some are just 'off white' - others are almost cream. Google "ANTIQUE WHITE GLOSS Fast Dry Rustoleum Spray Paint Aerosol 400ml" for an example of what's available. Hope that helps. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

14th Jan 2014, 3:36 am	#3
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,255	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? Memory tells me they were a pretty uncompromising white, with indeed some element of gloss - http://audiogold.co.uk/wp-content/up...ldringGL75.jpg is the only photo of a white '70s Dynatron music centre I found online just now, and its quite stark white agrees with what I remember of them. Then, just about any forty year old white paint finish will have yellowed to some visible extent by now, and the paper and dyes in catalogues will have changed - without an original specification for the paint it's impossible to know exactly how it would have looked, and even debatable whether you'd want to reproduce that in any case. It's a question that divides restorers, whether the ideal end is an item looking as though it's just left the factory, or as though it's spent its however many years in a careful and smoke-free home environment. I certainly lean toward the latter myself, but mostly by way of being minimal in active restoration, I'm not so sure I would deliberately pick a shade of paint to try to simulate the effect of the passing years. Just some thoughts which may or may not help at all. I think these music centres when new were as stark a white as http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg - http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73...0f382228fa.jpg shows a Murphy TV of the period, which I'd guess would have been a good visual match. Paul

14th Jan 2014, 4:06 am	#4
lastx33 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kelso, Scottish Borders, UK. Posts: 40	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? If it was a stark white then something like RAL 9010 may have been the original shade.

14th Jan 2014, 9:57 am	#5
ex seismic Heptode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tonbridge, Kent, UK. Posts: 686	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? In the 1970s BMC cars followed Old English White with Glacier White. Think MGB GTs, lots of white ones around, including mine. Still available in aerosol cans although maybe not in Halfords. Try MG Owners Club if stuck. Gordon

14th Jan 2014, 4:04 pm	#6
fetteler Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 1,474	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? HI Geoff, I don't tink you are being too finiky at all Things were bright in the '70s... I'd go for a clean bright pure white with an egshell (satin) finish, that won't be too far away from authentic if my mind serves me! Good luck with this - how about a pic when you're done Steve. __________________ Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking...

14th Jan 2014, 5:41 pm	#7
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? Ford did Ermine white, it was whiter than BMC old english. But beware, car paint can react badly to other paints and produce bubbles and crackle. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

15th Jan 2014, 8:59 pm	#8
ReelToReel Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK. Posts: 170	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? Hi Geoff, I resprayed some Wharfdale speakers that had a 70,s look to them and used Ford Diamond white over light grey undercoat . Cheers Mark Attached Thumbnails

16th Jan 2014, 12:40 am	#9
fetteler Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 1,474	Re: 1970s White...what should it be? Yea Yea Yea!!!! Well done. They look great - just as I remember them Steve. __________________ Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking...