Damaged Hacker - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

immediate · 19th Nov 2008, 8:12 pm

Hi,

Please could someone be so kind as to suggest a way of repairing the damage shown in the photos? Apart from this the set, a Hacker Super Sovereign RP75 MB, is in virtually mint condition; it would be nice to mend the damage if possible.

I have taken the chassis out, and the cabinet components appear to be glued together, so removing the damaged panel would not be easy.

Many thanks for your help.

Kind regards

Allan

howard · 19th Nov 2008, 11:05 pm

Hello Allan,

I'd try and get that dink out by gently rubbing water on it, or by applying steam to the area from a kettle, which should make it swell back out. When dry, rub down the front edge with fine sandpaper until smooth and treat with 2-3 coats of teak oil.

Howard

Colin · 19th Nov 2008, 11:29 pm

If there's already a coating of teak oil or varnish covering the damage it may be helpful to carefully remove this before treating with water or steam. I've used this method on a number of occasions and the results are very good. You may need to do this a number of times and then gently tidy it up with fine sandpaper before applying the finish.

yestertech · 20th Nov 2008, 12:15 am

Just thinking outside the box here - Are the end cheeks interchangeable and the mountings centered and/or symetrical ?
If so you could swap them over and the damage would be on the rear edge instead ?

Just a crazy thought.....

ANdy

immediate · 20th Nov 2008, 10:20 am

Many thanks to everyone for the helpful replies, much appreciated! I'll address them in order:

1) Howard: I would never in a million years have thought of water or steam! Then I remembered how my garage door sticks in damp or humid weather, and it made sense. I've tried your suggestion with water and there is a huge improvement already. I think steam would risk damaging the vinyl, so will keep going with water.

2) Colin: I cleaned with white spirit and meths; is there anything else I should use?

3) setsappeal: Not crazy at all, actually it was my first thought! The end panels appear to be symetrical and identical front to back. The problem is that the case is strongly glued, so how to remove them without damage I don't know. I also have a battered version of this set and considered canibalising one panel, but the glue problem remains.

I will continue with the water and post some pictures of "work in progress!"

Many thanks again.

Allan

Colin · 20th Nov 2008, 10:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by immediate

2) Colin: I cleaned with white spirit and meths; is there anything else I should use?

Probably not. Just make sure the moisture can penetrate the wood.

immediate · 20th Nov 2008, 10:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

Probably not. Just make sure the moisture can penetrate the wood.

Will do! I'm watering it now and it seems to be soaking in.

immediate · 20th Nov 2008, 8:36 pm

I've just checked my stock of repair materials, and I have Topps Scratch Cover Polish in light, medium and dark shades, plus button polish and French polish, neither of which I've ever tried using. But no teak polish. Would any of the products I've got be OK, or could someone please suggest a source for teak polish?

Thanks again,

Allan

howard · 20th Nov 2008, 8:58 pm

Hello Allan,

Topps scratch polish is fine for disguising scratches in large areas of dark wood but I'd be wary of using it on your Hacker cos it stains, and any area that has lost its varnish will soak it up the most. You can get teak oil from Robert Dyas, B&Q, HomeBase etc. and that will match the original finish and colour a lot better.

Howard

Mike Phelan · 21st Nov 2008, 9:34 am

French polish and button polish are both shellac dissolved in alcohol - they need a lot of preparation and skilled application, so I'd forget that.

Teak oil or Danish oil are what you need.

chipp1968 · 22nd Nov 2008, 5:34 pm

A good method i have used to steam out a dent is put a folded wet peice of cloth over the dent and applly a hot soldering iron . seams to work well and locally. Justkeep lifting off to check.

19th Nov 2008, 8:12 pm	#1
immediate Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London, UK. Posts: 85	Damaged Hacker Hi, Please could someone be so kind as to suggest a way of repairing the damage shown in the photos? Apart from this the set, a Hacker Super Sovereign RP75 MB, is in virtually mint condition; it would be nice to mend the damage if possible. I have taken the chassis out, and the cabinet components appear to be glued together, so removing the damaged panel would not be easy. Many thanks for your help. Kind regards Allan Attached Thumbnails

19th Nov 2008, 11:05 pm	#2
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Damaged Hacker Hello Allan, I'd try and get that dink out by gently rubbing water on it, or by applying steam to the area from a kettle, which should make it swell back out. When dry, rub down the front edge with fine sandpaper until smooth and treat with 2-3 coats of teak oil. Howard

19th Nov 2008, 11:29 pm	#3
Colin Heptode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 656	Re: Damaged Hacker If there's already a coating of teak oil or varnish covering the damage it may be helpful to carefully remove this before treating with water or steam. I've used this method on a number of occasions and the results are very good. You may need to do this a number of times and then gently tidy it up with fine sandpaper before applying the finish. __________________ Colin Armstrong

20th Nov 2008, 12:15 am	#4
yestertech Nonode Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,138	Re: Damaged Hacker Just thinking outside the box here - Are the end cheeks interchangeable and the mountings centered and/or symetrical ? If so you could swap them over and the damage would be on the rear edge instead ? Just a crazy thought..... ANdy

20th Nov 2008, 10:20 am	#5
immediate Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London, UK. Posts: 85	Re: Damaged Hacker Many thanks to everyone for the helpful replies, much appreciated! I'll address them in order: 1) Howard: I would never in a million years have thought of water or steam! Then I remembered how my garage door sticks in damp or humid weather, and it made sense. I've tried your suggestion with water and there is a huge improvement already. I think steam would risk damaging the vinyl, so will keep going with water. 2) Colin: I cleaned with white spirit and meths; is there anything else I should use? 3) setsappeal: Not crazy at all, actually it was my first thought! The end panels appear to be symetrical and identical front to back. The problem is that the case is strongly glued, so how to remove them without damage I don't know. I also have a battered version of this set and considered canibalising one panel, but the glue problem remains. I will continue with the water and post some pictures of "work in progress!" Many thanks again. Allan

20th Nov 2008, 8:36 pm	#8
immediate Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London, UK. Posts: 85	Re: Damaged Hacker I've just checked my stock of repair materials, and I have Topps Scratch Cover Polish in light, medium and dark shades, plus button polish and French polish, neither of which I've ever tried using. But no teak polish. Would any of the products I've got be OK, or could someone please suggest a source for teak polish? Thanks again, Allan

20th Nov 2008, 8:58 pm	#9
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Damaged Hacker Hello Allan, Topps scratch polish is fine for disguising scratches in large areas of dark wood but I'd be wary of using it on your Hacker cos it stains, and any area that has lost its varnish will soak it up the most. You can get teak oil from Robert Dyas, B&Q, HomeBase etc. and that will match the original finish and colour a lot better. Howard

21st Nov 2008, 9:34 am	#10
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Damaged Hacker French polish and button polish are both shellac dissolved in alcohol - they need a lot of preparation and skilled application, so I'd forget that. Teak oil or Danish oil are what you need. __________________ Mike.

22nd Nov 2008, 5:34 pm	#11
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Damaged Hacker A good method i have used to steam out a dent is put a folded wet peice of cloth over the dent and applly a hot soldering iron . seams to work well and locally. Justkeep lifting off to check.