Admiral's Cabinet - Preserve, Conserve, or Restore?

[Reece]

I'd refinish it. You can do it. You're going to hear a number of different methods that people use. In the 1920's, radios were finished with shellac. Towards the end of the twenties manufacturers changed to lacquer, which is what your Admiral was finished in, and would be the authentic refinish.

The way I would do it if it were mine: strip it, sand lightly with very fine paper, and use the same brand spray sealer on the wood as the brand of spray lacquer I'm going to use. I use Deft. The sealer keeps the stain used later from soaking in too much. Then get a rag and do some staining, starting low down on the side somewhere until you get the technique you want. Sand again lightly and spray more sealer on top of that. Again sand lightly with 1000 grit. Think that when you put the finish on top of the stain it will look darker. Turn the set so that you are doing one side at a time with that side horizontal; this avoids runs. Several light coats with superfine sanding in between.

Can't tell from the pictures but that figured wood on the curved front and the band around the set "might" be photofinish, which is a printed paper product made to look like expensive wood and glued on. Examine carefully. If it is and you remove it, you'll find plain wood underneath that won't look very good. You might have to take pains to mask it carefully to preserve it during whatever refinishing process you use. If it is photofinish and in reasonable shape, you can touch it up with a fine brush and some artist's colors.