Hello all,
I have a Westinghouse W2111 with a cabinet in quite a state. It is in a walnut (?) colour, and was looking on ways that I could restore it. Any recommended finishes? I'll send Brad a few photographs.
Thanks everyone!
Oli

Member Vintage Pete is an expert on such repairs, but we haven't heard from him in quite a while.

I have a person in the radio club here that's also brilliant with anything furniture, including radio cabinets. However, until we get a look at it, we cannot comment, as that is putting the cart before the horse.

Marc, the finish is coloured nitro glaze on timber that's all different colours.

I did an AWA from the same cabinet maker about 10 or 12 years back. Fortunately I found someone at the local hardware who put me on the right track and it came out well.

I've been in regular contact with Pete until about 6 months ago, he seems to have disappeared off the planet!

But yes, his advice on this site is excellent.

Vintage Pete is an expert on such repairs, but we haven't heard from him in quite a while.
Shame!

as that is putting the cart before the horse.
Indeed! Hopefully the pictures come soon. I'm eager to continue my resto!

I did an AWA from the same cabinet maker about 10 or 12 years back. Fortunately I found someone at the local hardware who put me on the right track and it came out well.
I understand that that stuff really sticks to sanding disks. I redid the cabinet on my EKCO a while back and I really didn't/don't like the finish I chose. I didn't prepare the surface enough and it is still really rough even after finishing. Oh well. My local hardware store guy was useless.

Thanks everyone so far!
Oli

Photos uploaded.

My cabinet had been in a flooded garage.

After gluing and clamping the ply, I used several runs of paint stripper, followed by a wash and a light hand sanding.

Suitably chosen and diluted Feast Watson water-based stain was rubbed on with a cloth to get the colour right and matching.

Then about 5 coats of rattle-can clear Estapol, using steel wool in between.

Lovely!

Paint stripper, use scotchbrite pad to get it off. Scrapers run the risk of damage

Wash with vinegar then water

Repair any damage

Stain/ paint highlights

Spray with lacquer, its getting hard to get but try guitar shops

0000 steel wool between coats

Wait a few weeks and polish with howards timber polish

Paint stripper, use scotchbrite pad to get it off. Scrapers run the risk of damage.

Aha. I used an electric sander last time.... I need to stop watching those dodgy resto videos online and assuming that is the right way to do it...

In the second photo, the colour on the left is the faded colour overall, and the colour on the right is what has been covered by a panel/fascia that held the brightness, on/off etc. My question is, what colour should I get for it? Is walnut the right colour?

Thanks everyone! I will attach some pictures and update everyone with the results. Lots of free time now thanks to the holiday break!

Oli

Once you get the finish off, you can stain it any colour you like!

Although what's under the escutcheon will be the original colour.

You will probably find that only the top was ever properly grain filled, the rest of the cabinet was not and hence didn't ever have that piano gloss finish - a cost saving exercise!

BITD a sheet of glass was often placed on the top to protect it. That was something to watch out for when servicing!

All finished! I ended up doing:
- Paint strip (3 or 4 coats each side)
- 160 grit on the electric sander to get the last bits off
- 180 grit to smooth it
- Cabot's oil based walnut stain applied with a rag
- 0000 Wire wool
- Wattyl Estapol gloss lacquer spray

A note here. When I applied the spray, after about five sprays, the nozzle started spitting and even before this, the spray was uneven at the tops and bottom, causing thick lines. Now you know!

- 0000 Wire wool
- Cabot's lacquer gloss brushed on.
Above x2

- Mr. Sheen

Worked out wonderfully in the end!
In hindsight, I should have grain-filled it, but I still like the appearance.

Oli

Photos uploaded to Post 11.