Hello, I have seen a number of postings on advice needed
for the refinishing of older radios. I will check the AES catalog
as well, but any advice on recreating the original
1950s blonde faux finishing on an RCA Victrola cabinet
would be appreciated. It is some type of painted finish
which is applied over a darker grained veneer and then
sealed with a laquer or shellac. The veneer actually
supplies the grain effect and the finish is there for the
color tone. Any help with what the right material are would be
appreciated.

Bill

Hi,
There are a number of methods that can be used, and for simple descriptions for other online searches that can be of help- Pickling, "Danish Modern", "Moderne", are just three, but the final question has to do with how much of the underlying grain you want visible, as well as how much of the exposed endgrain do you want to be evident?

If you are looking for a finish that for lack of any better description is- Glassy smooth, like a plastic veneer?

If so, "pickling" with a white/off-white followed by clear laquer is the best way to go. You can fill end grain and edge grain with either a paste filler (rather the same approach as a glazing filler in auto body usage), or after the initial "sanding sealer" coat, rub the surface down with "Rottenstone", and/or "pumice stone"- These two are essentially colorless when topcoated, and by rubbing the surface with them, you force the "stone" into the open pores, thus filling them. You may need to do a few applications of sealer (if it is thin enough), followed by the lacquer, which should give you a very good finish. Spraying gives best results, and if the lacquer should be too thick to spray, you can reduce the viscosity with an automotive finish product- Lacquer reducer; or you can try small amounts of regular lacquer thinner. I have had the best results with the automotive brands; but they may not be as available where you are.

You can also make your own soft filler for use prior to the sanding sealer from corn starch, or wheat flour plus linseed oil, Tung oil, or lemon oil, plus a small amount of "japan drier". Apply across the grain at an angle with a soft plastic aplicator, and allow this to set for 24 hours, and you will want to use some scrap pieces first to be sure that your sanding sealer will cover this, as well as your final finish. Once the material has set, sand with 400 grit paper, wipe down with a tack cloth, and apply your next layer.

Avoid eurethane varnishes if you are looking for to approach the original appearances, as the new finishes just do not have the right appearance, or "feel".

If you are looking to have end grain and edge grain pronounced in the final finish- such that you see it when viewed from an angle rather than a smooth finish, use an off-white tinted lacquer after an initial application of a thin sanding sealer.

: Hello, I have seen a number of postings on advice needed
: for the refinishing of older radios. I will check the AES catalog
: as well, but any advice on recreating the original
: 1950s blonde faux finishing on an RCA Victrola cabinet
: would be appreciated. It is some type of painted finish
: which is applied over a darker grained veneer and then
: sealed with a laquer or shellac. The veneer actually
: supplies the grain effect and the finish is there for the
: color tone. Any help with what the right material are would be
: appreciated.

: Bill