I just found out Ed at RenovatedRadios has made another batch of the masks. Sounds like this might be the last time so I might grab an extra one to hang onto.

With my traditional "molasses in January" restoration progress, I haven't yet installed the mask I bought from his last run. My impression was that it looks pretty good, but what's the popular consensus? Do they fit well / look right? I could use a few more, but I'd like to hear that people are happy with them before I invest more $.

With my traditional "molasses in January" restoration progress, I haven't yet installed the mask I bought from his last run. My impression was that it looks pretty good, but what's the popular consensus? Do they fit well / look right? I could use a few more, but I'd like to hear that people are happy with them before I invest more $.
I purchased one of the very last from Ed's last batch. Bottom line is that I recommend it, and it sure looks a LOT better than any of the other options or no mask at all. The problem is that the tube doesn't simply fall into place in the opening and Ed warns the buyer of that. I was afraid to heat it or use any lubrications, so I just worked the CRT in as best I could and locked it in place. At a glance it looks good, but don't expect it to be a perfect fit.

Dave, the two I've done fit perfectly. As the rubber is new and the glass on the crt is perfectly clean, it can stick as you put it on. On one I used a little talc as a lubricant and on the other just a little water so it would evaporate away. Both worked great and seated perfectly on the crt. Trying to put it on dry would definitely be tough and not recommended. I would expect they had to do something similar originally as they would have had the same problem.

You tell me if it isn't a perfect fit.

What are they selling for?

From Ed's website:

Motorola Television CRT Mask for Models VT-71, etc. (VTmask)

These are the long awaited masks to replace those rock hard or melted masks from years ago. Pictured on the right is an original mask, and on the left is the reproduction. Both masks are made of foam material with a smooth skin surface.

The back side is cupped to fit over the CRT, just like the original. (The mold was made from an original that was still in good condition.)

Click on the picture to see a larger view.

The originals were spray painted with a gray paint around the visible part of the mask. My reproductions are tinted in the manufacturing process to a gray, making it unnecessary to paint them.

Installation note: It may be difficult to get the CRT to seat into the depression on the back of the mask. Try using water, or some other lubricant that dries quickly. You don't want to use Vaseline or something else that will stay on the rubber for a long time as the rubber may be adversely affected by it over time.

1 Mask: $45.00

http://www.renovatedradios.com/parts.html

I want to repeat that the end result, as you can see in the pic, was quite acceptable despite the trouble with the mask. I didn't use a lubricant, but with mine, the shape of the opening simply did not match with the curvature of the CRT face. Only by gentle but firm pressure did it give somewhat. I would've had to use lubrication and heat to basically reshape the opening on mine for a perfect fit.
http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m554/decojoe67/DSC00378_zps0779dfd4.jpg (http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/decojoe67/media/DSC00378_zps0779dfd4.jpg.html)