|
|
Post by elorens on Oct 1, 2022 21:16:10 GMT 12
I’m restoring this General Electric Radio Ltd Mighty Midget which I have had for many years. The company has an interesting history since, unsurprisingly, they were sued by General Electric. This radio dates from about 1948 and the veneer on the top is in rather poor shape, being rippled by heat and crumbled away at the rear edge of the top. I can’t strip the whole thing because of the original MM transfer on the front. I’d appreciate suggestions for how to make this look better. Should I cut away the old veneer and put in a new strip along the back of the top, or would this look obvious? Or should I just put some kind of filler into those gaps? Thanks!   Lawrence |
|
paulb
Society Members
Posts: 9
|
Post by paulb on Oct 3, 2022 19:51:22 GMT 12
Hi, I think that a new strip or filler will look equally as obvious.
Just my opinion but I think the best way to replace missing chips of veneer is to make an irregular cut around the missing chip, roughly following the shape of the chip. Then place a bit of thin paper over the chip, trace the shape and use the template to cut a (slightly larger) replacement piece of veneer. Then try your replacement piece in place, see where you need to trim, carefully trim away as little as possible and repeat the process until your replacement piece fits perfectly. It's time consuming but the best way to do it.
Tips for a better result are:
- Use an extremely sharp blade.
- On edges, leave some overhang and don't cut it off until the repair has dried properly
- Don't cut straight lines using a ruler, a ruler-straight cut is always more noticeable than a irregular curving cut.
- Give the cut a slight bevel, the chips are at the back of the cabinet so bevel the cut so it slightly slopes under towards the front. Then bevel the new piece to slip under the existing veneer and the join will be less noticeable.
- If possible use hide glue, when you put a finish over the completed repair any missed remnants of hide glue will likely blend better with shellac or oil than a modern glue will. I do use PVA glue but have to be really careful with masking and clean-up and have still been caught with a pale patch showing up when using any finish that darkens the wood and the glue has sealed a part of that surface.
- Try and find a bit of patch veneer off something as old as the piece you are repairing.
That was a bit of a rave so apologies.
|
|
|
|
Post by elorens on Oct 5, 2022 12:56:38 GMT 12
Great, thanks for the tips. Will see what I can do!
|
|
Lawrence