Best Technics Turntable Acrylic Dust Cover and Hinge Restoration - Record Player Rescue!

This acrylic dust cover has been in storage for years. It was separated from the turntable and abused heavily in a cramped little electronics shop. I rescued it many years ago but finally took the time to repair it. I'll show you how to do it too! You can do it yourself at home. All you'll need is a few supplies and a few hours. You can do it!
Thanks for watching!
Amazon Links:
Sandpaper, 90 Pcs 400 to 3000 Grit Wet Dry Sandpaper Assortment 9x3.6 Inch for Automotive Sanding - Wood Furniture Finishing - amzn.to/3xKSmjx
STARBOND EM-02 Super Fast Thin, Premium Instant (Cyanoacrylate Adhesive) Super Glue Kit - amzn.to/3xQkEZT
Meguiar's Scratch Removal Kit to remove scratches, blemishes and swirls - a.co/d/0sTc5Jm
Meguiar's M1008 M10 Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish - amzn.to/3lZvqKK
Keywords:
#acrylic #plastic #turntable #turntables #technics #recordplayers #recordplayer #hifi #vinylrecords #solidstate #restoration #restore #restoring #repair #polishing #fixit #doityourself dust cover dustcover lid vinyl techniques technic teknics wheels of steel hifi hi fi audio audiophile collector electronics repair vintage 70s 80s shure needle cartridge cartrige receiver amplifier rca platter christmas holiday music jazz aficionado #hiphop #hiphopbeats #dj #turntablism #turntables #recordplayer #hifi #audiophile #recordcollector #vintage #music #turntable
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:23 - The Story & The Project
05:40 - The Plan
09:59 - Sanding and Results at 400 grit
17:00 - Sanding and Results at 600 grit
20:51 - Sanding and Results at 800 grit
22:12 - Sanding and Results at 1000 grit
25:20 - Sanding and Results at 1500 grit
27:05 - Sanding and Results at 2000 grit
28:52 - Interior Sanding and Results at 1500 & 2000 grit
31:16 - Meguiar's Scratch Removal
38:33 - Acrylic Hinge Tab Repair with StarBond
42:22 - Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish
45:08 - Final Results of Polishing
46:00 - Turntable Hinge Replacement
49:18 - Dusting Turntable / Installing Lid
51:03 - Hooking Up Turntable
53:19 - Conclusion and Outro

[@lysol911]

This is the absolute best video for restoring a turntable dust cover. I’ve seen them all on YT and this is by far the best explained and least corners cut. I appreciate that you spent the time to explain your mindset as you went through it. Thank you so much for this.

[@thejoyoffixing]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for dropping by!

[@ccrm10]

The best video I have seen on polishing a turntable cover! Thank you!

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thanks! I watched a lot of videos and decided I would try to give real advice. It turned out good. I’m glad you liked it.

[@user-ns8nn5on3m]

After watching your video, I am now optimistic that I can restore the acrylic dust cover on my turntable. Thank you for your step by step instructions.

[@thejoyoffixing]

That’s awesome! Take your time. It’s gonna look great!

[@joemartin6439]

Truly enjoyed the cleaning job . I have a Quartz St -1400 Mk2 .

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thank you so much! Glad to have you drop by!

[@spongebobsqueeze]

Nice to know how to repair acrylic’s properly. Thank you for the detailed step by step.

[@thejoyoffixing]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@stevenhunter3454]

Great informative video showing all the steps, skipping none, nice satisfying end result. I used Megulliars deep cutting compound followed by their fine cutting compound ,then polished - super clean shine. 👍 worth checking out.

[@thejoyoffixing]

I’ve never used the deep cutting compound. I’ll check that out on the next one!

[@stevenhunter3454]

Think used together for best results , kinda like going up grades with sandpaper n finished off with a good quality polish. 👍

[@memal25]

Great video! You really made this project approachable for those DIYers like I am. I was just gifted my in laws old Technica SL-220 and I am trying to make it look brand new and this will help! Thank you!

[@thejoyoffixing]

That’s awesome! Take care of that thing!

[@sdlindow]

This was fun and very informative watching the transition of restoring a classic record player dust cover. Information I can use on other acrylic pieces. 😊

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thanks @sdlindow.

[@user-zb9lv3gh8s]

So... For those of us that might be lucky enought to live near there... Where is this mythical Hifi store???

[@thejoyoffixing]

This was back in Colorado in a storage unit type marketplace clutter shop at the mile high flea market. Stacks and stacks of hundreds of pieces of garbage electronics with a few hidden gems mixed in.

[@thedoctor6610]

That's amazing enjoyed the video it's a good way to recycle old equipment.

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thank you, @TheDoctor66. Listening to my old vinyl is the closest thing I have to time travel. I'd probably trade some of it for a Tardis, if you were interested in some creative bartering. And some of my warped records are even a little "wibbly wobbly". I appreciate you watching. Always feel free to say hi or be part of the discussions on this channel. Fun Fact: I was a DJ at one time and released a mix that had a sketch I did as the cover. It was a picture of a Cyber-Man scratching vinyl on some turntables integrated into the control panel of a space ship. No idea where that drawing ever went.

[@peterwikvist2433]

Well done Sir!

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thank you very much, my good man.

[@MartinPerreault]

Thanks!

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thank you!

[@mikeybe2654]

Awesome job mate, I’m about to tackle my dust cover on my sld2, not quite as bad as yours was but it needs some love, really appreciate this video 🤙

[@thejoyoffixing]

So glad you found it! I suggest sanding up to 3000 grit? Don’t skip any increments! Good luck!

[@cooper6086]

Good job 👍

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thanks 👍

[@gimble447]

Great video, you really did go through the proper ( only way in my opinion) procedure to do it right. One thing though, those metal hinge kits you mention are actually the proper hinge replacement for OTHER models of technics turntables which came from the factory with hinges exactly like those, it’s just some people either rightly or wrongly are using them as an alternative on models with the moulded in tabs like yours has, I just think that point has to be made clear in that those metal hinge kits are original technics spec but for a different sort of lid, ( I also know that some sellers are marketing them as a repair alternative but again it’s not really the case) but great work and keep it up ( ps around the intricate dust traps of the tonearm a soft new one inch paintbrush is your friend 😊) and never ever be one of these self proclaimed “audiophiles” lol I’ll stick to being a lowly music lover thanks ( even though I have thousands and thousands worth of gear and am a time served audio engineer) 😂

[@thejoyoffixing]

I, too, have tens of thousands of hours in audio engineering, music performance and stuff like that. I’ve built some incredible PA systems for some cool venues and companies. I love clean well equalized music…. I guess I’m an audiophile… but I’m, by no means, an insufferable hipster or know it all. lol. I really enjoyed your comment. Everything you said is correct. I also appreciate the compliments. A job worth doing is worth doing right… that means ALL the steps. Convenience be damned. Thanks for watching!

[@gimble447]

@@thejoyoffixing Served my time in Europe as an audio engineer, worked for bang and olufsen as an amplification engineer, in my late 20s was tired of looking at soldering irons and became a music producer for a while ( I learned grade 8 piano while at school) and got into the euro scene of 90s dance music, even now I get a cheque ( not a check lol) now and again for the odd track( back Ithen I was actually at least near the time I actually lived near you about 10 years ago as I lived in olive branch MS but worked in Sun Studio in Memphis TN about 17 mile drive as a sound engineer for a while, ( as I lived in olive branch MS) funny thing is Johnny cash did far more recording at Sun but sorry I digress) like l said keep up the great work youngun 😆

[@gimble447]

@@thejoyoffixing PPS you aren’t old enough to have the hours I have, simple maths ( not math!! I’m British 😂

[@gimble447]

The way you handled gear in this video belies any claimed experience you claim, but at the age you are a year seams a lifetime so I’m sure you have improved, stick in there slugger :)

[@thejoyoffixing]

Maths. Haha. Thanks for the comments. Nice to meet you.

[@raymiehershey1430]

Great video, just like seeing ya go through the steps. Not just using scratch x and flattering camera angles. The platter on that one should just pop off. If it's working no need to take it off.

[@thejoyoffixing]

Thanks. I wanted to give an honest representation of the experience

[@Homebrew58]

I have a new-to-me Technics SL-1200 MK2 direct drive turntable that I've had to dig into pretty deeply to repair. I'm not sure if the direct drive motors and platters are different on the two but my platter does just lift right off. It takes a bit of a tug since there is a magnet involved underneath but if the two are similar that screw you see through the hole is an adjustment screw and has nothing to do with holding the platter. I came to watch the dust cover restore and I did buy the MeGuair's restoration kit but I only used the two sanding discs that came with it. The results were pretty disappointing. I was going to chalk it off as snake oil and buy another product but after seeing your results I will have to go out and buy some sand paper of varying grits and try again.

[@thejoyoffixing]

I'm glad you came to watch. Yeah I'm sure it's a more simple release of the plater. I just didn't need to go far enough to figure it out on that specific project. Yeah man! People are always looking for the quick fix but usually that's an inferior fix. When it's something like this that you wanna actually look at and interact with you're gonna wanna take a little more time and do it right. Nobody wants to wet sand but honestly, those are some of the best moments in life when you're just being quiet and doing something with your hands that seems redundant or grueling. Here's a link to the sandpaper I used: amzn.to/3njtKfC It was a great kit and the paper was a good quality. Well worth having in the toolbox.

[@chylogurti]

Great video mate. I have a sl b2 with one tab broken. I have the piece that snapped off. Could that glue work to stick it back on? Also got a broken sl 3300 hinge with to missing tabs. Need to access a hinge and replacement tabs from somewhere. Big respect from across the pond.

[@thejoyoffixing]

It should probably glue it back together but I can’t be positive. Once you crack acrylic it’s kind of a stinker. But I would give it a try. Make sure it’s very clean before gluing. Thanks for watching. And thanks for commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Always good to meet a fellow turntable lover.

[@breezebenitses397]

Came back again. Great video. ​@@thejoyoffixing

[@dirkvantroyen9170]

The platter always comes of, just pull

[@thejoyoffixing]

This one has a lock ring

[@dirkvantroyen9170]

@@thejoyoffixing Right, sorry. Some do indeed

[@thejoyoffixing]

It took me a year to find it. Haha. Every other turntable I’ve owned the top just popped off so this one was kind of a mystery, but it makes sense with the direct drive motor and gearing.