Crosley 307-TA restoration part 3

Refinishing the cabinet. Things did not quite go as planned, but worked out great in the end.
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[@tennesseered586]

Nice work, Bob. What a beautiful cabinet. Watching television in those early days was a novel experience. I am reminded of a story told by my grandmother. When they got their television (a floor model Arvin) about 1952, her elderly neighbor lady wouldn't go into the room with it because she was convinced the people on the screen could see her and she wasn't dressed for that.

[@greggsvintageworkshop8974]

Wow Bob, the Crosley looks AMAZING! Masking tape finish remover...who knew!? You did a REALLY nice job!

[@billharris6886]

After seeing the wood used in the cabinet, the large chassis, with lots of tubes, and a substantial power transformer (plus focus coil, laminated core choke and vertical transformers), I can see why the set is so heavy. In that era, the radio manufacturers that went into the TV business, where used to making beautiful console radios; essentially a premium piece of furniture. Bob, I see you have lots of experience determining that fine line of knowing how much cabinet refinishing to do. I know customer preference has a lot to do with that decision. Masking tape varnish stripping; one of those rare instances when it works so effectively. Lacquered varnish definitely looses adhesion in high humidity environments, I'm really surprised the chassis is in such good condition. Having those original decals to put back on after the refinishing makes the set really look good!

[@mikefinn2101]

Great job Bob wish I had your skills. You are really professional allways so much. thanks Mike

[@fredflintstone8048]

Nice finishing Work Bob.

[@chetpomeroy1399]

Looks like a *beautiful* piece of furniture! It seems in those days this was how people looked at TV sets and radios.

[@ischmidt]

We're kind of going back in that direction with some of the newer flat-panel TVs that are designed to have an actual picture frame around them and show paintings when you aren't watching something.

[@chetpomeroy1399]

@@ischmidt That's a *positive* development!

[@davearmstrong1932]

Hey Bob, Thank you for sharing your refinishing/ restoring tips . Hope that Mohawk products are still available when I need them. In the past, I would just run out to home depot and buy a small can of stain that was the closest match and maybe mix different colors if needed.

[@bandersentv]

Good news is that you can still buy clear lacquer and shellac at home depot from several vendors like Watco. It's not cheap and probably not the highest quality but it's there. Better yet buy a cheap spray rig from harbor freight and mix some stain in the lacquer to make your own toner lacquer.

[@Thomas-yr9ln]

You are a good cabinet restorer like Glasslinger. You are almost twins.

[@markpirateuk]

Nice job on the cabinet, should look stunning once complete.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

It looks lovely. 😊👍

[@Lancecats]

Nice!

[@THEtechknight]

Awesome stuff. I cannot remember if I asked this before, and ive seen your videos for over a decade at this point and I know your technique and products have changed for refinishing over the years so this might be a very big ask: Is it possible if you can do an in-depth beginners guide to refinishing video that shows the process, and the exact products you use for each stage (like a bulleted list), step by step on your Patreon or something? (Think of your TV beginners but for refinishing). That would be amazing if you can do that someday, because it would help out people such as me who would like to get into refinishing our antique electronics, but do not know the approach exactly, or the specific products used for each step/stage.

[@bandersentv]

Sure. I kinda have before mixed into projects. I have two projects coming up that would be good candidates. Probably the Motorola 9VT1 I picked up last year would be best. The other is the Westinghouse Columnaire radio I started over 10 years ago. I'm tired of looking at it half done

[@THEtechknight]

​@@bandersentvI appreciate it! Sounds like a good plan

[@knifeswitch5973]

Hey Bob. Nice job as always. Wondering if you’ve ever tried a cabinet scraper? I’ve had some really good results once you get the hang of them. Just curious.

[@bandersentv]

I usually just use a utility knife blade. I only refinish one or two cabinets a year so am not too heavily invested in it.

[@RPike-bq3xm]

I used some satin poly mixed with some colored stain and an air brush. Its cheap and works well. Suggest a sample run on like material.

[@bandersentv]

I do not like using poly on antiques or vintage cabinets. It's not what used originally and is a pain to touch up or strip.

[@sgath92]

There is a clear grain filler on the market, via AquaCoat, but it does not fill as well/easy as the old oil based fillers (usually you have to apply it, do a heavy clear coat, wet sand, repeat the whole process of reapplying it and then clear coating and then wet sanding- min 3x for all). On the plus side, its a water base so you can use it indoors with no fumes, and you can add tints & toners to it to make it colored if desired. You can order directly from Mohawk and that's almost always the cheapest option. But they won't give you free shipping unless you buy $10,000 worth of product (they normally sell to manufacturers/industrial users).

[@bandersentv]

I'm fine with the traditional oil based type. I don't do very much refinishing and am still using the first can of walnut grain filler I bought 15 years ago