Antique Radio Cabinet Restoration

One of the things that people need on radio cabinets is photofinish repair restoration.

Antique radio cabinet restoration.

I do these jobs before i replace any parts and usually before i try to power up an old radio or tv. Whether it s a zenith rca philco admiral crosley airline ge or a foreign made model such as blaupunkt telefunken norelco and grundig we. This would include refinishing your radio console inside and out new speaker grille cloth knob decals if needed and cabinet feet. I am very fortunate to have them doing your cabinet repair restoration.

We cover the full range of repairs from simple tube replacement to chassis repair to complete chassis and cabinet restoration. This presentation is part 1 of a class he conducted at the california historical radio so. Our technicians are trained to repair all brands of vintage radio from the early 1900 s to the late 1970 s from very rare and priceless antique units to the popular and more sentimental units. The best finish can be obtained by using a specialist bakelite polish.

Our cabinet restoration includes full stripping and refinishing of wooden cabinets when desired by our customers. Jim bradt is a well respected radio cabinet restoration specialist. When the cabinet is clean rinse it in clean water and leave it to dry naturally. Simply put photofinish is decorative work applied to the cabinet to dress it up.

The skill and tools required to service each of these two parts is so different that some technicians will only service the chassis and some cabinetmakers will only repair the cabinet. Professional refinishing is also labor intensive. The bakelite or plastic cabinet can be washed with warm water and washing up liquid. For practical purposes the service on a vintage radio should be considered as two parts the chassis electronics and the cabinet.

If your radio s wooden cabinet needs refinishing that s an additional cost. If you spend hundreds of dollars restoring a vintage radio don t expect to recover that money by reselling the restored set. A simple cabinet refinishing will start at 495 with an average cost at around 700. I have paid anywhere from 400 to 800 to have a large wooden cabinet completely redone.

A washing up brush and a toothbrush are useful for getting the muck out of the corners and recesses.