I bought a nice little Silvertone tube radio, model 8004 that has a painted metal cabinet. The paint is pretty badly chipped. It would look better if I stripped and repainted it, but that destroys the antique value. Should I repaint it anyway or is there a good way to touch up the chipped paint? I will appreciate your views.

Dick, here's my take:

This is a nice post-war set, with listed value of less than $100 (in good, presentable condition). Not too much to lose.

Do what would make the set most enjoyable to you or to someone you'd like to give it to as a gift. If you are looking at it primarily as what it's worth, then just sell it now "as is."

Most sets of this nature do not lose value if repainted in kind. Refinishing a wood cabinet has more of a detrimental effect, unless the cabinet is really bad. I have seen popular metal and plastic radios that have been nicely repainted go for a lot of money. Doing something radical like chrome plating it may bring you some strong positive and negative opinions. In the end, though, unless you are in the business of selling radios, you should do what you like. It's your radio, not someone else's. If someone else doesn't like it, tell them to get their own.

Thomas

Most sets of this nature do not lose value if repainted in kind. Refinishing a wood cabinet has more of a detrimental effect, unless the cabinet is really bad. I have seen popular metal and plastic radios that have been nicely repainted go for a lot of money. Doing something radical like chrome plating it may bring you some strong positive and negative opinions. In the end, though, unless you are in the business of selling radios, you should do what you like. It's your radio, not someone else's. If someone else doesn't like it, tell them to get their own.

Thomas

Most sets of this nature do not lose value if repainted in kind. Refinishing a wood cabinet has more of a detrimental effect, unless the cabinet is really bad. I have seen popular metal and plastic radios that have been nicely repainted go for a lot of money. Doing something radical like chrome plating it may bring you some strong positive and negative opinions. In the end, though, unless you are in the business of selling radios, you should do what you like. It's your radio, not someone else's. If someone else doesn't like it, tell them to get their own.

Thomas

Didn't mean to reply so many times. Nostalgia is acting slow.

T.D.

:I bought a nice little Silvertone tube radio, model 8004 that has a painted metal cabinet. The paint is pretty badly chipped. It would look better if I stripped and repainted it, but that destroys the antique value. Should I repaint it anyway or is there a good way to touch up the chipped paint? I will appreciate your views.
I personally refinish a large number of radios including bakelite, metals, and wood. If the radio does not look good it will not display well or have eye appeal. If it were a 1790 Windsor chair then we would have another fastitious run at the thought.
I recommend using automotive lacquer on both plastic and metal cabinets for its durability and appearance. Depending on the radio dial and knobs I have used a number of metallic finishes with great success. Tom.