[Jukebox-list] 40's Cabinet Restoration

[david wendell]

Erik,

I bet there are many opinions on this!  At the risk of
showing my incredible lack of skill and respect for
these machines here goes!

Wear gloves for the chemicals.  Nitrile is good. 
Watch for lots of ventilation so you can breathe and
there is not a fire!  I often do it outside and cuss
all the flying insects.

I always look for loose veneer and cabinet structure. 
If it is from Mexico termites may have even dined on
it.  The appearance and gentle tapping on the case all
over seems to be a good way to detect loose veneer. 
If it is loose it must be repaired.  That is another
whole process and one you hopefully do not need to
worry about.  Got to get the inside all painted and
fixed up the way you like it too.  Fix/replace or
whatever your casters now while the mechanism and
stuff is out so it can roll around easily.

If it has a heavy finish of varnish or UGH! paint from
Mexico I buy some of the, more expensive, stripper at
Wal-Mart.  I gently scrape the goo off after it has
had a chance to work.  I use a "not so hard" plastic
scraper.  Maybe one a body-man might use to apply
Bondo to a dented fender.  I try very hard not to
damage the veneer.  I use paint thinner to remove the
rest of the goo I did not get off.  

If my cabinet is solid and the veneer is tight I
usually do a very light sanding by hand.  I blow all
the dust and other debris away.  If I stain it I
usually do Modern Walnut on the Wurlitzers (wife likes
it so that is good enough for me).  Just follow the
directions on the can works best for me.

After the stain is all complete and really dry I used
to spray them with clear gloss.  Some people use
lacquer for a real gloss.  Some may just use Tung Oil.
 Now I am lazier and just use gloss varnish with a
brush.  Here, in Phoenix, I have to work really fast
in the summer.  It dries so quickly I could have brush
marks instantly.  I thin the varnish down and have
been known to really thin it down.   I give it a
second coat after a light sanding of the very dry
finish and careful cleaning, removal of all the
sanding dust.  I am happy with the results, more
importantly my wife is happy or I might get a lump on
the head.

I am sure many people have smarter ways and we can all
learn from them!

David Wendell

--- beemererik at bellsouth.net wrote:

> I have a 40's Wurlitzer that need to have the
> exterior cabinet restored/refinished. The guy that
> used to do my cabinet work has moved. I think I
> might tackle this one myself. Can anyone describe
> the process they use to clean and refinish the
> exterior of the cabinet? I would like to know
> specific chemicals used.
> 
> Thanks,
> Erik
> 
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