1937 Philco Radio Restoration
One year ago when my grandmother was moving, she gave me an old 1937 philco radio that had been in her home when she was a child and belonged to my great grandfather. This winter for our schools wintermester I had the oppertunity to sign up for a class on wood furniture restoration, so I brought in the radio and used it as my piece for the course. The internals of the radio were sent off for repair, and I worked on the console box. The main issues were water damage along the base of the radio and scratches along with discolration of the varnish. the varnish was removed using acetone and then was refinished with synthetic shellac. One challenge of this project was due to cost cutting some of the details in the front of the console were painted to look like a darker wood, but were actually a cheaper lighter wood like poplar. When the varnish was removed these strips turned bright and would have to be repainted to a darker cherry color. Once the painting was complete the new shellac was applied.
The radio in its original state after having been in basements for 70 years.
Water damadge along the base
The internals went off for repair, and now work great thanks to the help of Mr. Paul Handley
Stripping off the old varnish. Originally alcohol was used, but when this did not remove it we used acetone.
Removing the varnish with acetone. Here can be seen the paint being removed from the detail strips.
The wood stripped clean with the exception of the center panel with the Philco logo which was left as is.
The detailing strips were marked off with painters tape.
Wood replacement at the corners, then painted to match
The shellac is applied in multiple coats
The final coats. Not bad for a one week course.
