Restoration Idea 6
Restoring Cracked Plastic Radio Cases (mid 1950-1960s)
I bought a Sylvania Model AT-30 radio from Ebay. The radio was not packed in secure box. During shipping it probably was thrown and tossed around. The result was the top of the plastic cabinet was cracked from the front right side to the back. I like this radio because it is an economical design using power saving tubes 18FW6, 18FX6, 18FY6, 32ET5 and 36AM3. It has the look of a deluxe AM radio. Has a fake twin speaker front and slide rule tuning. Rather than get angry and tossed it as a parts set, I decided to find a way to save the cabinet and make it look like it never had a crack.
EXPERIMENT IDEA
I have in the past inserted a wood or metal strip to reinforce the cracked area. This time I decided to use a metal strip and apply a generous amount of quick setting epoxy on the unviewed side of the crack. Then clamping it. This will allow the epoxy to ooze into the crack to fill it in, while bonding the metal strip to the plastic cabinet. Any portion of the crack not filled in would be filled in with plastic mender epoxy filler.
SUMMARY OF RESTORATION
1. Cut a sheet metal strip that goes beyond the cracked surface. I went a little further by cutting the strip to fit the into the cabinet nicely.
2. Quick setting epoxy was generously applied to the metal strip and inside the cabinet. Then the parts are clamped down firmly. This allows the strip to fit closely to the crack and forcing extra epoxy to squeeze through the cracks to the other side.
3. File and sand off excess epoxy after it has set for 24 hours. Continue removing excess epoxy until the surface feels even between the cracked areas. Buff area with ultra fine steel wool and rubbing compound.
4. Apply plastic mending epoxy to the surface on areas that were not filled in during clamping of the metal strip underneath. After the epoxy has set repeat step 3.
5. Often after the first coat of matching paint small areas of the crack were not filled it. Allow the paint to dry completely, then apply plastic mending epoxy to the areas not filled in. Repeat steps 3 and 4.
6. Spray paint the entire cabinet with continuous motion in one direction.
7. All finished!
Return to Restoration HOME Page: Restoration HOME