Predicta "Debutante" grill cloth

[decojoe67]

Has anyone ever tried to replace the grille cloth on a '60 Philco Predicta "Debutante"?
I have a piece of cloth that would work well on a potential acquisition. I am concerned that removing the bright trim may be difficult.
Any info/opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Joe
This model:

[StellarTV]

It's easy. Once the chassis is out, the whole front panel comes out. It's held in be several 11/23" speed nuts. The horizontal trim piece is held on by those one way push clips which a scratch awl will make short work of. The volume control bezel is 'swedged' or 'fluted' on, so it'll look pretty mangled on the back by the time you get it off, but won't affect it's outward appearance. The bezel around the channel selector is held on by three flimsy metal tabs that will bend open easily.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by StellarTV

It's easy. Once the chassis is out, the whole front panel comes out. It's held in be several 11/23" speed nuts. The horizontal trim piece is held on by those one way push clips which a scratch awl will make short work of. The volume control bezel is 'swedged' or 'fluted' on, so it'll look pretty mangled on the back by the time you get it off, but won't affect it's outward appearance. The bezel around the channel selector is held on by three flimsy metal tabs that will bend open easily.

Thank you VERY much Justin! That is all great news. I haven't picked the set up yet, but took a look at it and actually found the grill cloth to be acceptable. Minor frays, but I will just leave it as is. I do need to take off the channel selector ring to smooth-out two slight indentations. The volume/on/off switch ring luckily is perfect.
Again, many thanks,
Joe

[spudz64]

Originally Posted by decojoe67

Has anyone ever tried to replace the grille cloth on a '60 Philco Predicta "Debutante"?
I have a piece of cloth that would work well on a potential acquisition. I am concerned that removing the bright trim may be difficult.
Any info/opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Joe
This model:

Hey thats my set, from my Flickr pics! Nice to see my Predicta set is getting around...I have to post new pics since I moved and have one set up (a biege Princess) and running in the Tiki basement with vintage TV clips on a loop!
Good luck with your cloth redo...I was lucky the Debutante I found had perfect cloth with no stains...it might be my favorite of the three!

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by spudz64

Hey thats my set, from my Flickr pics! Nice to see my Predicta set is getting around...I have to post new pics since I moved and have one set up (a biege Princess) and running in the Tiki basement with vintage TV clips on a loop!
Good luck with your cloth redo...I was lucky the Debutante I found had perfect cloth with no stains...it might be my favorite of the three!

Nice example. I found it on a Google search. I see my sets on a Google search too!
As my later post shows, the grill cloth on the model I purchased turned out to be passable. It has frayed areas, but I didn't have the heart to tear it out with that cool gold glitter weave.