PART 3
RCA Victor TC-125 TV Restoration
Part 3 Cabinet Restoration
RESTORATION PERIOD: start October 2014 end February 2015
The goal here is to try and have the cabinet resemble what it looked like in 1950. Problem here is that the dyes and finishes have changed or are no longer allowed to be sold. The cabinet can be properly preped but can the finish resemble the original?
Other Sections to go to
RCA TC-125 RESTORATION PART 1: RESTORE RCA TC-125 PART 1
RCA TC-125 RESTORATION PART 2: RESTORE RCA TC-125 PART 2
Ideas for Restoration HOME Page: HOME
RESULT: The bezel has rusting along the edge where the picture tube made contact. This wiill be visible when the TV is viewed, sand off rust and repaint. The speaker grilled looked great and just needed to be cleaned. The pilot light assembly needed to be cleaned and buffed.
For a 1950 boat anchor set, the cabinet actually in decent shape. Some detailed work will have to be done but a complete overhaul is not needed. My goal is to renew the original color and finish of the set when it was purchased, but leave the minor damage and blemishes made over the years alone to indicate it is vintage. In many cases attempts to overhaul the cabinet and make it look new could also lead to a dissapointed result of looking too new or non vintage.
Removal of the picture tube bezel, pilot light and speaker grille:
Use a powerful stripper on old finishes, because they are often applied with a thicker or heavier texture than modern finishes. Even with the heavy duty stripper it still took two applications to completely remove the old finish. On the right is how the top looks like with the old finish removed and some light sanding done with 80 and 150 grit sandpaper. Notice the dark areas, these are dpressions of blemishes cause by rubbing or a hard drop by a heavy object in the past. Don't try to remove by sanding, you will only damage the verneer and will look worse. Besides when you get done it will have a vintage look!
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From above:1. with a small craft blade or box cutter trim of the old verneer in a way that the new verneer will be easy to install.2. Often the underlayers of the old verneer needs to be replaced leaving a deeper depression. A filler needs to be installed. At many hardware stores iron on edge verneers can be purchased. Cut and use what one needs to fill the depression allowing the final verneer to fit in place and flush with the original.3. file and sand off the excess. Be careful not to put alot of pressure or the filler can separate or rip off.4. Obtain the closest matching verneer that is the same type of wood as original (mahogany in this case). Small pieces can be purchased from lumber stores that sell hardwood and other exotic furniture grade wood.5. Apply CONTACT (TM) Cement to one side of the verneer and the surface to be applied on. Allow it to become tacky (around 10-15 minutes)6. Inspect the original verneer around the damage area and also apply CONTACT (TM) cement to areas that are not adhereing to the underlying wood.7. Press the verneer on. Use clamps with light pressure to provide better contact.8. Carefully sand with 150 or higher sandpaper to smooth out any roughness or uneven edges.9. Ready to stain.
During the stripping and sanding process the finished top part started to separate on one side.
Mask the areas you don't want the to make contact. If you use tape for masking, I recommend FROG TAPE (TM) it is great for masking without a mess. >>>>>>>
DONE!
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Hope that I can find a better replacement for the fine tuning and channel selector.
9. Success! A new yoke has been found and I get a full picture!
FRONT VIEW OF CABINET
LEFT BEFORE RIGHT AFTER
BEFORE AFTER
Found on Ebay, a set of the original tuning and fine tuning knobs for this model at a great price. Now the cabinet is finally done.
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