Predicta Princess, physical restoration advice?

[judge]

I just got this Predicta Princess and would like a little advice on physical restoration of the base. It's has some rust/pitting that is showing through the original paintwork, so I am wondering about getting it powder coated, but I am a little concerned that the metal grille on the front would end up looking uneven. In fact the metal grille is the main part that I would like to clean up as it shows discoloration bands that I assume are caused by dirt or rusting inside the perforations. Does anyone have any experience with that?

The second thing is the screen cover. It has some streaks etc. that are effectively etched into the surface and some scratches where I think someone has attempted to remove blemishes before. It also has a small crack, that I figure nothing can be done about, but that is OK. I am reluctant to try to polish the blemishes out, as I have no experience with doing that. I tried a polish that Inhave used very successfully on Bakelite (well, plastic that looks like Bakelite) in a small patch that would normally be hidden, but it left some fine scratches - maybe that is down to the material I was using to apply the polish? I have no idea. I really need to find something I could practice on? Any suggestions? For example I have some acrylic sheets I could use.

[judge]

Actually, looks like the grille discoloration is on the surface. I’m pretty sure this was used in a smokers house judging by the color of the dirt I removed from the screen.

[Tony F]

Hello, I'm actually at the very stages you are describing, restoring your Predicta. You can remove the front grill part, 4 or 5 philips head screws attach the main brass anodized trim piece across the front. Personally, I'd just use some heavy sandpaper 180 grit or maybe 220 if the paint does not come off easy, that and a combination of paint stripper to remove the original paint from the inside circumference of the "little holes". Then just prime and paint. It should look good. You can do the same for the main cabinet, (if you don't want to spring for powder coat). Get yourself a little orbital sander with some 220 paper. As for the screen cover, you can get a headlight restoration kit at autoparts stores (has a ball and polish that goes in the end of your drill. They do a pretty decent job of polishing. If there are any major scratches you might try 600-800-2000 grit wet sanding then polishing with Novus # 1 , #2 and #3.
Be very careful trying to polish the brass arms and trim parts. The brass is VERY thin and will even come off just trying to polish them.
hope this helps...
Tony

[AlanInSitges]

Check out Bob Andersen's various Predicta videos on YouTube, he's done some extensive restoration of both the screen and pitted brass.

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by judge

Actually, looks like the grille discoloration is on the surface. I’m pretty sure this was used in a smokers house judging by the color of the dirt I removed from the screen.

That looks like surface dirt to me...Before deciding to repaint I'd liberally spray the removed (so you don't soak the speaker) grille with Windex wait about 1 min then scrub with paper towels, and repeat till the paper stops picking up dirt. Cigarette tar can leave quite a film, but it can be cleaned.

[judge]

Thanks for the tips guys. Yes, the grille discoloration is definitely surface dirt, so I'll give that a good clean when I have the set in pieces. The main case has some pitting, but the staining in the pits comes off with No. 7 polishing compound. This makes respraying the case less of an obvious choice, so I will mull that over.

I'll definitely take a look at the videos.