zenith color roundie tv saved from barn 6/3/12

[Phil Nelson]

The vast majority of old company documents like that have been lost over the decades, either on purpose or through accident. TVs and radios were appliances, not art treasures. Every year, new models were introduced, and manufacturers encouraged you to buy new and toss the old. Nobody expected them to be used and restored 60 years later, any more than we expect that today's stuff from Best Buy or Wal-Mart will be treasured and rebuilt (good luck with that) in the year 2072 or 2172.

Phil Nelson

[Reece]

Don't think they were faux painted individually: that stuff was a photofinish material applied to the wood, like a plastic/paper product. Some is very realistic, not like contact paper.

[Magnavox300]

Originally Posted by Reece

Don't think they were faux painted individually: that stuff was a photofinish material applied to the wood, like a plastic/paper product. Some is very realistic, not like contact paper.

Sure seemed like paint when I was stripping it down. There was a brown paint as the base coat over the poplar, and I guess it was a plastic or paper product over that, but it scraped off like it was paint.
That's still quite impressive if they used a faux paper over all those angles, bevels and trim work though.

[snelson903]

ok after getting done with the tube bezzel ,i realy didnt like it so sandblasted down to bare metal and used filler primer and wet sand with 400grt and repainted it ,im now satisfied . you would not believe the time invested making that right it looks easy to paint but that small part shows up every little thing and the corners where a pain.

[Reece]

That looks factory! Great job.

[snelson903]

now the cabinet just had to apply 2 coats of stain let sit for 2 days then wip down then i sprayed polyurithane wait 24hrs sand with 400grt/520grt and spray on second coat its all dry now and finished i also installed the bezzel to get a look of how it turned out.the legs are finished i just need to find or make a botton for one of the legs . i went back and looked at the first picture of this tv ,what a change once i put the bezzel in now its starting to look like a tv again.

[snelson903]

has anyone ever sodablasted a chassis before ,i here using baking soda as a meda would polish my chassis and not hurt anything else.

[mstaton]

It would get into the tube sockets even if they are taped up and blast all the markings off the resistors and caps. maybe try naval jelly like bandersen does.

[Magnavox300]

Originally Posted by snelson903

ok after getting done with the tube bezzel ,i realy didnt like it so sandblasted down to bare metal and used filler primer and wet sand with 400grt and repainted it ,im now satisfied . you would not believe the time invested making that right it looks easy to paint but that small part shows up every little thing and the corners where a pain.

That bezel came out nice!
The Magnavox bezel I have was some sort of plastic composition painted gold.
It's cool that Zenith made them in metal!!
That was a lot of work, looks awesome.

Magnavox300

[zenithfan1]

That thing is already 100% better than when you found it, I can't wait to see a picture on it. Beautiful job man!

[freakaftr8]

All I have to say is wow! Marvelous job!!

[mstaton]

Night and day difference! :-)

[DaveWM]

I have that a zenith that could use that treatment, the top and sides have the fake finish and it a wreak...

[snelson903]

i can say for myself im happy the way it turn out ,especially for my first time of doing one i have allready bought some real wood working tools instead auto body tools ,i think i found something else i like to do along with working on the electronic part of the tv im going to be looking for somemore turds in the future i know i can get next to nothing. im going to finish the tuner face and install that and show the cabinet comeplete, then im to start a new post doing the chassis and see if i cant raise the dead.thanks for all the complements from everyone ,i know i will be looking for some parts for the chassis so if anyone has any doner parts let me know 24mc32 thanks

[snelson903]

Originally Posted by DaveWM

I have that a zenith that could use that treatment, the top and sides have the fake finish and it a wreak...

if you deside to re-do it show pictures its my turn to watch someone restore one.i realy hope youll do i think you would like it .liguid nail's after 24hrs its stronger than nails