Tips from The Bench: Restoring A Vintage Stereo Wood Cabinet

[@michaeltoste8871]

I did this to my L100s and my marantz cabinet. Turned out great!!! Thank you.

[@ajp891]

Excellent, more of this please mate! How to polish scratches from a t/t dust cover, remove scratches from aluminium faceplate! Great! 👍🇬🇧🇺🇲

[@victorsr6708]

@6:03 Paso Robles YES! You pronounced it better than the people that live there.

[@mikecampbell5856]

Great job! That wood really pops. I enjoy refinishing old break open shotgun stocks and I will spend up to 5 hours sanding with finer and finer sandpaper, and do a final damp rag de whiskering with 0000 steel wool. Then 3 coats of stain and 3-4 coats of Tru Oil, using steel wool between all coats and letting them cure for 24 hours between coats. People have told me that my finishes look inches deep.

[@michellevey9608]

This was a video that most definitely needed to be made!

[@bernardreznicek792]

Amazing. Been using the same two products for years on my woodwork around the house. Works great every time on vintage stereo woods. Thanks for the channel.

[@davidbartochowski7832]

Howard's the best thing. Keep up the great reviews and information

[@quiksr20]

Thats my exact goto combo, Brings back old wood and fixes basic scratches so good with minimal effort. Another great vid!

[@30DirtyThirty30]

I like using these products as well. They work great but I do agree the feed n wax isn't as long lasting as I'd like though. It does really help old dried wood with multiple coats over a couple weeks. After a month or so to let the feed n wax "dry" my best results are obtained using multiple coats of tung oil kinda like a condensed French rub. Super rich results that last much longer for the finish ❤️ Thanks for your awesome content Kevin 👍

[@KeithMickunas]

Thanks for posting this video. I applied these techniques to a Yamaha CA-810 yesterday and it came out wonderfully. It was a fairly simple process and didn't take a lot of time, and the results are amazing.

[@ccrm10]

My two favorite products for these type of restores. Nice job!

[@mumbles552]

Thanks for posting this vid showing how to use these products! I'm going to be using the walnut Restore-A-Finish this morning on a set of Dynaco A-25XL speakers which I previously cleaned with Murphy wood cleaner. They came from the original owner who didn't smoke and the finish is already in excellent condition. I don't have the Feed-N-Wax on hand so hopefully they will look like new again with just the one treatment.

[@jeffm1896]

Love those Howard products! It's amazing how well they work. Another great video.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you!

[@smelly_elvis]

Elvis has been using this stuff for years, on my hair/sideburns. I like the smell of my hair treatment; the pleasing odor is half the point. Great product!

[@dannyfannyfoodle]

These two products used together are absolute MAGIC!! I used them on my Ohm Walsh 2s that had been in the family since 1982 and the results were stunning. Thanks for sharing!

[@triples4good]

Great video. Perfect timing, I have to refurbish a finis on my turntable! Going to help a bunch.

[@carlveilleux5744]

I used Watco's Danish Oil (dark walnut) for my Dynaco A25XLs. The veneer on the A25 is paper thin, so I sanded very lightly with 220 grit with my orbital sander. Danish oil is halfway between an oil finish and a varnish. Applied like an oil, simply using a rag and wiping off the excess, but unlike oil which takes weeks (some will say years) to dry, Danish oil dries in less than 3 days and leaves a varnish-like finish that is simply awesome. That's the easiest stuff to get a great finish, you can't screw it up! The tint in the oil is not very dark, it's more like a very diluted wood stain, and the real color and grain of the wood shows up nicely.

[@2tallB]

220 grit??!!

[@carlveilleux5744]

Yes. I posted pictures on AudioKarma back then. @@2tallB

[@danwheetman6914]

And thanks, I’ve got an SX 1250 and a Marantz 2325 that need just what you showed!

[@chrislj2890]

I've never used those products or finished any kind of hifi cabinet. But I have done a number of rifle stocks, and I use MinWax Antique Oil. I first clean the surface with denatured alcohol, then apply a thin coat. I wait 24 hours between coats and hit it with gray Scotch Brite to smooth it. Usually at least three coats will do it, but more can be better depending on what you want. But that job did look nice.

[@exvan3571]

EXCELLENT vid! Keep crushing it!

[@tmdillon1969]

For raw wood or nearly raw wood, I would recommend Rubio Monocoat. It's a zero VOC hard wax oil. It does not dry fast and it's not cheap but the finish is incredible and it's very easy to fix scratches as it only bonds to wood, not itself so you don't get weird overlaps like you do with polyurethane. It won't swell veneers either.

[@johndrx165]

I did mahogany veneer on my Pioneer SX-650. It was my first time trying anything like that. It came out great. I used Danish Oil and then Arm R Seal. Fun Winter project.

[@johnvincent4048]

Great video. I'm going to try this on my Marantz WC-10. Kevin, how about doing a review on some of your favorite vinyl pressings? I have a Led Zeppelin II Ludwig I have not listed to in years. I recently cleaned it and played. Wow!! What a hot mix!

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

Ok...I will DEFINATELY use this process on a pair of old real wood cabinets. Thank you!

[@skylabsaudio]

Perfect!

[@JR-ho5qm]

How did your speaker cabinets turn out, did you get a chance to do them?

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

@@JR-ho5qm I did not do it yet. Haven't had time and prefer the warm weather/Summer to do it in the garage.

[@gilson32]

Great vid Kevin! I've been using Howards on restored vintage stereo consoles and speaker cabinets for years with great success.

[@jayyoung5423]

Master class Kevin, thanks for this.

[@pauls86ed13]

My Pioneer SX-1010 will have a smile on it's faceplate after it gets its restored coat, or cover. Thank you.

[@scrappy7571]

I've used the restore-a-finish on several sansui's. Looks great for a few days, and then seems to look kinda blah. Also tried boiled linseed oil on others. Leaves a nice sheen, and seems to last long time, but takes forever to dry.

[@DaveFoehring]

Hey Kevin- This series is a great idea. You mentioned the vinyl wrap on an SX-780. I'd love to see you do one of those, especially what to do about crunchy corners.

[@skylabsaudio]

Great suggestion!

[@stevea.1929]

Hey Kevin. Great video for beginners getting into the vintage game. I have used the same products for years on speaker cabs and receiver components with great results. Love the channel and hope it grows.

[@PerfDayToday]

Paso Robles is where Wyred 4 Sound is located. Founder has hi fi ‘dna’ to ps audio. Keep these how to vids going.

[@inmatejason]

Thanks so much for this video, i have been scared to do it incase i mess it up real bad. After watching your video i think im going to give it a try on my Marantz wood sleeve and JBL L100. Can i use the same “Howard restore a finish” on my sleeve and speakers?

[@_Nordfors]

Excellent! Thanks. Had an accident with an old tractor and a large field, now I can’t take VOC’s. Makes me feel a bit wimpy, but what can you do. How would you rate the fumes of the restore on a 1 to 10.

[@seattlebeard]

Those are great products. Do you have a video on replacing the faux wood veneer with real wood veneer? I have a Pioneer SX-750 that I's like to upgrade. Thanks. :o)

[@DaveFoehring]

Yes please.

[@mguess]

Hi Kevin. I like the new series, keep them coming. I use both of the products on light restoration of old radios, stereo and speakers. Have you tried using the Feed and Wax product on vinyl wrapped speakers. I've been using it on vinyl and painted speakers surfaces with great results.

[@skylabsaudio]

Cool, thanks

[@nicevmax]

I have been wondering what was good to use on these boxes, have two Fisher amp boxes that need to be gone over with this stuff. Thanks for the vid.

[@jpaleas]

Thank you !

[@fw1421]

I recently bought a pair of Klipsch Heresy I’s from the original owner and one has a shallow scratch on its side and the other one has a black t shaped stain in the top. Any suggestions for stain removal? They are walnut veneer.

[@dancorneliu7578]

Hello, i have an sx1250 black version, and the wood need a little attention. There are many versions of restore a finish. NEUTRAL, DARK OAK, DARK WALNUT. Wich one will go best for black?

[@blucas8963]

Gotta do this to my old Sansui 5000x.

[@damirhlobik6488]

for my AR 17 I used heated linseed oil, cheaper than all of the above

[@mrshoning]

Great video! What do you tbink about using these products on veneer with printing applied to it? Ive got a turntable I'd like to freshen up the finish on, but don't want to stain or rub off the existing lettering.

[@skylabsaudio]

Not sure on that. Be really careful I guess?

[@HoneyWindbutton]

What about for all the units that use veneer ?

[@adsph]

Very informative

[@ptownmusicroom580]

I am using the same stuff and I just restored a Yamaha CR-2040. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@kgu9870]

That's a painted finish on the 2040 i wouldn't use the restore

[@ptownmusicroom580]

@@kgu9870 i used the fee’n wax on the yamaha. I used the restore a finish on speakers. And my Marantz cabinet I did a full restore with sanding down and staining

[@aecuadra]

Can I do the same for my Marantz 6350q?

[@danwheetman6914]

Paso Robles… That was the correct Spanish pronunciation!

[@kevinfestner6126]

I want to try this process on my ess heil 2 way speakers. They are looking a bit drab. I still want to get a wood case for my Marantz 2270 and my Pioneer CT-F 1250.

[@recalcitrantone]

We are going to start making some later in year...FYI

[@kevinfestner6126]

@@recalcitrantone ty

[@jlcougilljr]

Hi Kevin, hope your doin' well, i have a nice set of Advent Heritage, and just like the Legacy's, they have the Pecan solid wood tops. Any particular brand and/or shade of stain, etc. that you would recommend for that specific speaker top? I assume there's a chance (or certainly better than average) that you guys have run into this specific speaker and maybe have refinished or touched up the top or front panels on these before? always enjoy the content brother, keep up the great work!! , Jerry \m/ \m/

[@vmhanlon]

Went to college near by and we pronounced it "pah-so row-bulls".

[@wwz1011]

Did a nice job removing the white rings on the top. +100 a lot of "wood" vintage hifi stuff is not wood. It's a vinyl, similar to contact paper. So make sure you have real wood.

[@edd2771]

Hey wait a minute…I’m starting to realize…they are ALL fun ones.

[@danstein2467]

Thanks Kevin. Great video, as always! Used your link and bought the restorer and the wax. Keep up the great work.

[@williamjverhagen]

Great job. Thanks I will be using this on my JBL L 100s

[@Unavintage]

Whereas on tropical country and few cabinets being preserved by the owner, restoration here is not easy. I did a pause in my restorations due to deep damage on wood and veneers. 90% has worms/thermite, 80% mold, 70% with destroyed speaker cones, 100% needs crossover recap. In addition, almost none are wealth enought to support a restoration that may costs more than a good speciment available on market.