Ekco 319A Trim - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

wireless_john · 1st Jun 2014, 8:59 pm

Went to the local car boot this morning and picked up an Ekco 319A for £5. No cracks or damage to case, speaker cloth sound, knobs all there and no obvious 'restoration' attempts.

The brass trim along the front under the speaker is badly tarnished and the knobs aren't too good either. The photo actually makes them look better that they are!

Has anyone got any experience of 'Treasure Wax' in either gold or brass? Or failing that, any other ideas about restoring it?

paulsherwin · 1st Jun 2014, 9:22 pm

I think that's had it. I would rub it down and spray it with gold paint.

Give Brasso or T-Cut a go first though - you never know.

wireless_john · 1st Jun 2014, 9:46 pm

I suppose whatever I do, I can't make it worse! The Treasure Wax I was looking at seems too good to be true! Thing is, it costs more than I paid for the radio! Wont do anything for now though as I'm in the middle of doing an Ultra U696.

You know how it is though, can't wait to start on it!

paulsherwin · 2nd Jun 2014, 12:25 am

Having looked at these products I'm very doubtful that they'd produce a good looking permanent repair in these circumstances, and I don't know of any forum members who've used them. They seem to be marketed to people trying to tart up brassware.

My approach would be:

1. Dismantle as much as possible, removing all bright metal.

2. Rub down with T-Cut until all lacquering is removed and you're down to the metal and whatever coating it has. Keep going until you see a uniform colour. Unfortunately this will probably be silver aluminium or tinplate which isn't the finish you want.

3. Rub down with fine glasspaper or wet and dry, then spray with gold car paint. You often find odd shades being sold off for little money (Poundland had a load recently). When the paint has dried spray with clear car lacquer (this isn't essential but it does look better as it's shiny).

4. Reassemble everything.

wireless_john · 2nd Jun 2014, 7:41 am

Thanks Paul. I think that's what it will have to be. Wouldn't have thought of looking in Poundland I have to say!

Will definitely give that a go.

John

wireless_john · 3rd Jun 2014, 11:39 am

Had the back and bottom off it now and looks OK. No-one seems to have made any restoration attempts. All looks original. Bit rusty and corroded here and there suggesting its been kept somewhere damp.

Must get on with the Ultra U696!

paulsherwin · 3rd Jun 2014, 2:39 pm

Not too bad at all. It should scrub up nicely with a bit of TLC.

1st Jun 2014, 8:59 pm	#1
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Ekco 319A Trim Went to the local car boot this morning and picked up an Ekco 319A for £5. No cracks or damage to case, speaker cloth sound, knobs all there and no obvious 'restoration' attempts. The brass trim along the front under the speaker is badly tarnished and the knobs aren't too good either. The photo actually makes them look better that they are! Has anyone got any experience of 'Treasure Wax' in either gold or brass? Or failing that, any other ideas about restoring it? Attached Thumbnails

1st Jun 2014, 9:22 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Ekco 319A Trim I think that's had it. I would rub it down and spray it with gold paint. Give Brasso or T-Cut a go first though - you never know.

1st Jun 2014, 9:46 pm	#3
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Re: Ekco 319A Trim I suppose whatever I do, I can't make it worse! The Treasure Wax I was looking at seems too good to be true! Thing is, it costs more than I paid for the radio! Wont do anything for now though as I'm in the middle of doing an Ultra U696. You know how it is though, can't wait to start on it!

2nd Jun 2014, 12:25 am	#4
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Ekco 319A Trim Having looked at these products I'm very doubtful that they'd produce a good looking permanent repair in these circumstances, and I don't know of any forum members who've used them. They seem to be marketed to people trying to tart up brassware. My approach would be: 1. Dismantle as much as possible, removing all bright metal. 2. Rub down with T-Cut until all lacquering is removed and you're down to the metal and whatever coating it has. Keep going until you see a uniform colour. Unfortunately this will probably be silver aluminium or tinplate which isn't the finish you want. 3. Rub down with fine glasspaper or wet and dry, then spray with gold car paint. You often find odd shades being sold off for little money (Poundland had a load recently). When the paint has dried spray with clear car lacquer (this isn't essential but it does look better as it's shiny). 4. Reassemble everything.

2nd Jun 2014, 7:41 am	#5
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Re: Ekco 319A Trim Thanks Paul. I think that's what it will have to be. Wouldn't have thought of looking in Poundland I have to say! Will definitely give that a go. John

3rd Jun 2014, 11:39 am	#6
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Re: Ekco 319A Trim Had the back and bottom off it now and looks OK. No-one seems to have made any restoration attempts. All looks original. Bit rusty and corroded here and there suggesting its been kept somewhere damp. Must get on with the Ultra U696! Attached Thumbnails

3rd Jun 2014, 2:39 pm	#7
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Ekco 319A Trim Not too bad at all. It should scrub up nicely with a bit of TLC.