Greetings,
I have an old radio with a dull, bent, and cracked back.
I glued the cracks with duco cement and dampened the cardboard and put it under flat weights and it appears to be working. Is there another way to repair these backs? and is there a way to bring the color or appearance back to life and maybe strenghten them with some kind of coating?
Thank you,
Vinny A.

Vinny,
If you're describing fiber board/masonite, I tried the same approach with glue and bracing, coatings, but appearance was less than desirable. Salvaged the original labels, measured the old part, cut a piece of new masonite, duplicated the size/holes, installed the old labels and looks like the original.

marv

:Greetings,
:I have an old radio with a dull, bent, and cracked back.
:I glued the cracks with duco cement and dampened the cardboard and put it under flat weights and it appears to be working. Is there another way to repair these backs? and is there a way to bring the color or appearance back to life and maybe strenghten them with some kind of coating?
:Thank you,
:Vinny A.

Marv, thank you for your time and knowledge in responding. I guess when I shop for the material it is called masonite?
Marv, how do you get the labels off without destroying them?
Thank you,
Vinny

Vinny,
I described my method in detail under "How to preserve chassis labels" in an April posting of 4-28.

marv

:Marv, thank you for your time and knowledge in responding. I guess when I shop for the material it is called masonite?
:Marv, how do you get the labels off without destroying them?
:Thank you,
:Vinny

Marv,
thank you for your time and knowledge.
Vinny A.

If you have an old clipboard, that does make a good radio back. Easy to cut, file, and fit with vent holes and all. If you do have the old back, you can use it as a template.

Yea Warren, most old clipboards were masonite/fiberboard, but not all clipboards are the same.

marv

:If you have an old clipboard, that does make a good radio back. Easy to cut, file, and fit with vent holes and all. If you do have the old back, you can use it as a template.

Hi Vinny, I had to reproduce a back on a radio and couldn't get the decals off. They started to fall apart. I scanned them on the computer and did a little work in pro paints, they came out perfect and looked original used plain paper and sprayed with a couple light coats of lacquer then put them on with a light coat of spray adhesive to the back of the label. I used masonite for the back. Get a Sabre saw and a couple good files, they are easy to reproduce. Best 2 U, George T

Vinny/George,
I used the original back as a template to mark the holes and shape. Clamped a wood fench to my drill press, and used Forenster bits for the vent holes. This bit makes cleaner cuts thru the fiberboard than regular drill bits. Make sure to have a scrap piece of wood/fiberboard under the finished product, otherwise you'll get some ragged edges and tear-out on the back side. Always work from the front side of the finished product to assure due caution is exercised while drilling finishing. For a long vent, drill several holes, then sand away excess with a small drum sander and a rotary tool, ie Dremel.

marv

: Hi Vinny, I had to reproduce a back on a radio and couldn't get the decals off. They started to fall apart. I scanned them on the computer and did a little work in pro paints, they came out perfect and looked original used plain paper and sprayed with a couple light coats of lacquer then put them on with a light coat of spray adhesive to the back of the label. I used masonite for the back. Get a Sabre saw and a couple good files, they are easy to reproduce. Best 2 U, George T

Thank you everyone for the suggestions.
I have found a couple of old clipboards that look so authentic that I will try. Also the boards with the holes are a great idea also, thank you again.
There is a plethera of wisdom on this website second to none. I could not have gone this far with this hobby if it were not for you guru's.
Vinny A.

Vinny,
Finally found a .jpg of the replacement (including recovered labels) I made for a Philco 48-460 "Hippo"

marv

:Thank you everyone for the suggestions.
:I have found a couple of old clipboards that look so authentic that I will try. Also the boards with the holes are a great idea also, thank you again.
:There is a plethera of wisdom on this website second to none. I could not have gone this far with this hobby if it were not for you guru's.
:Vinny A.

:Vinny,
:Finally found a .jpg of the replacement (including recovered labels) I made for a Philco 48-460 "Hippo"
:
:marv
:
::Thank you everyone for the suggestions.
::I have found a couple of old clipboards that look so authentic that I will try. Also the boards with the holes are a great idea also, thank you again.
::There is a plethera of wisdom on this website second to none. I could not have gone this far with this hobby if it were not for you guru's.
::Vinny A.

Pegboard, the kind with little holes punched or drilled in it about one inch apart for putting little hooks and things in is a great Masonite product for radio backs, you get lots of cooling air through the holes.
Lewis

Chip board I hear is popular for this.:
http://buychipboard.com/chipboard_website_002.htm