You might want to research further but try a little of the lacquer in an inconspicuous area first to see if there is a reaction. If not wet-sand and apply a thin coat and follow the instructions as to additional coats. This is the method I have had good results with. The tricky part can often be finding a product that does not cause a bad reaction. Looking forward to seeing pics.

If you think you can polish your way to a shine, I have had much luck with Novus #2 plastic polish. I just did an Emerson 10" and it shines like new.

You can carefully overspray a lacquer finish. You can also add a toner to match colors. When overspraying, the new spray will blend with the first layer.

Here's an enormous amount of information on refinishing the original lacquer finishes on antique radios:

http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=7

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I'll probably do a light sanding/buffing followed up by a lacquer overspray. Any tips on what I should use to clean and prep the cabinet? I've heard of using mineral spirits but have no experience in using it for this purpose.

This should be fun. It's unbelievably nice to have a workable finish for once. So many of the cabinets that I find have had the lacquer flaking off in huge chunks, or turned a sickly green-I'm guessing from too much sun exposure?

I have used mineral spirits (paint thinner) to clean an existing lacquer finish, then oversprayed with lacquer.

If your finish is not seriously damaged, I wouldn't go nuts sanding or steel-wooling it, which may do more harm than good. In most cases, the guys at the original factory did a better job than we can do at home. Don't erase their work and start over unless you are forced to.

As someone else suggested, if the finish isn't badly damaged, maybe a good polishing is all it needs. Or if it only has a few little boo-boos here and there, maybe something like Howard's Restor-a-Finish would do. I used to scoff at that stuff, but I tried it on an antique table whose legs were a little scuffed, and it turned out great.

Phil Nelson

Phil, do you dilute the mineral spirits, or do you just apply to a soft cloth and rub the cabinet down?