Amplion radio. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Alan Stepney · 26th Jan 2013, 7:00 pm

I recently acquired an Amplion radio.

Getting it running was easy, and it sounds quite good.
The problem is the cabinet.

The carrying handle can be mended quite easily, but the top of the cabinet is the problem.

It is the "snakeskin" finish and that on the top has large bare patches.

The only solution I can think of is to set to work with a small brush and some paint and try to replicate it by hand.

Has anyone any better ideas?

Herald1360 · 27th Jan 2013, 2:08 am

Maybe try some of this?

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_8554478_ma...in-fabric.html

or these?

http://www.mjtrends.com/categories-Snakeskin,Fabric

Nickthedentist · 27th Jan 2013, 11:18 am

Personally, I would get things working and clean, and leave it at that. It is 70-odd years old, after all, so some wear and tear is to be expected.

N.

Richard · 27th Jan 2013, 2:16 pm

I agree, leave it alone and put it on display on a high shelf so the top can not be seen.

Richard

Paul_RK · 27th Jan 2013, 3:28 pm

Doesn't look like a snakeskin effect to me, I think it's the broken paint finish that was quite popular in the late '40s / early '50s, produced by having a solid base coat of paint then a top coat usually in a contrasting colour which would shrink and crack irregularly as it dried.

http://www.resene.co.nz/comn/whtsnew/crackle.htm shows the finish in detail, but the product might be difficult to source here: http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product.../pccode---3620 offers a very restricted range of colours, but black over gold or brown looks as though it could make a magnificent job of your Amplion if you wanted to go for a complete refinish.

Paul

Alan Stepney · 28th Jan 2013, 8:42 pm

Thanks for all the information and comments.

Paul, I agree that it is a broken paint finish, but the makers called it "snakeskin" in this case.

McMurdo · 31st Jan 2013, 12:00 am

Maybe someone can fill us in on the history of Amplion, while we're on the subject?

phasedout · 1st Feb 2013, 3:57 pm

Hi, i have an Amplion Delegate radio in my collection, odd looking set but it goes well, here is a little bit about Amplion radio http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Amplion ....regards....Alan.

26th Jan 2013, 7:00 pm	#1
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Amplion radio. I recently acquired an Amplion radio. Getting it running was easy, and it sounds quite good. The problem is the cabinet. The carrying handle can be mended quite easily, but the top of the cabinet is the problem. It is the "snakeskin" finish and that on the top has large bare patches. The only solution I can think of is to set to work with a small brush and some paint and try to replicate it by hand. Has anyone any better ideas? Attached Thumbnails

27th Jan 2013, 2:08 am	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Amplion radio. Maybe try some of this? http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_8554478_ma...in-fabric.html or these? http://www.mjtrends.com/categories-Snakeskin,Fabric __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

27th Jan 2013, 11:18 am	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Amplion radio. Personally, I would get things working and clean, and leave it at that. It is 70-odd years old, after all, so some wear and tear is to be expected. N.

27th Jan 2013, 2:16 pm	#4
Richard Heptode Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Garnant, near Ammanford, South Wales, UK. Posts: 657	Re: Amplion radio. I agree, leave it alone and put it on display on a high shelf so the top can not be seen. Richard __________________ BVWS member.

27th Jan 2013, 3:28 pm	#5
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,256	Re: Amplion radio. Doesn't look like a snakeskin effect to me, I think it's the broken paint finish that was quite popular in the late '40s / early '50s, produced by having a solid base coat of paint then a top coat usually in a contrasting colour which would shrink and crack irregularly as it dried. http://www.resene.co.nz/comn/whtsnew/crackle.htm shows the finish in detail, but the product might be difficult to source here: http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product.../pccode---3620 offers a very restricted range of colours, but black over gold or brown looks as though it could make a magnificent job of your Amplion if you wanted to go for a complete refinish. Paul

28th Jan 2013, 8:42 pm	#6
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: Amplion radio. Thanks for all the information and comments. Paul, I agree that it is a broken paint finish, but the makers called it "snakeskin" in this case.

31st Jan 2013, 12:00 am	#7
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,271	Re: Amplion radio. Maybe someone can fill us in on the history of Amplion, while we're on the subject? __________________ Kevin

1st Feb 2013, 3:57 pm	#8
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: Amplion radio. Hi, i have an Amplion Delegate radio in my collection, odd looking set but it goes well, here is a little bit about Amplion radio http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Amplion ....regards....Alan.