1957 Oval Ragtop - the sympathy purchase

[nmshaikh]

As the car is sitting at the painters and waiting to be polished, I decided to take the radio apart and take the parts that need to be sanded clean and repainted. I also cleaned up the insides using the WD 40 contact cleaning spray so I can test if it works. For now just a few pictures and surprises

[nmshaikh]

After removing the panels that the fascia is attached to I have clear access to the dial scale. We are looking at pre plastic days so the dial scale is made of glass. At some point water got under the glass and there is rust underneath. I will take it all apart so that each piece can be cleaned and repainted.

[nmshaikh]

The needle that appears white is actually a fluorescent red. Years of exposure to the sunlight and the exposed part is faded white. The shaft that is turned to tune the radio is bent. I am almost 100% sure that it would break if I tried to straighten it. Can anyone suggest how it can be straightened safely?

[nmshaikh]

looks like I imported some insects from Canada as well. These poor sods must have made the radio their home. I wonder if these are period correct crickets and i should leave them in the radio for an authentic feel?

[nmshaikh]

With the top and bottom plate removed the circuit is exposed. A liberal spray of WD 40 quick drying contact cleaner and some compressed air cleaned it enuff for the next stage - testing.

[afnan.bashir]

Na Yaar....... first circuit seen without PCB....... wao they just soldered these components. It would be PITA to diagnose problems on the other hand components seem to be basic so no fancy ICs. By the way apart from restoring the radio i can understand that for sure you wont stick to radio, why not do something usb like stuff?

and i would consider this madness as experienced passion....... way to go captain

[afnan.bashir]

The needle that appears white is actually a fluorescent red. Years of exposure to the sunlight and the exposed part is faded white. The shaft that is turned to tune the radio is bent. I am almost 100% sure that it would break if I tried to straighten it. Can anyone suggest how it can be straightened safely?

Well if its plastic then you may want try one thing but i am 100 % sure it would destroy its color. You may use little ammount of chloroform that is used to join acrylic sheets. Chlorofom would make this plastic soft you may bend it and then let it dry. Just paint you have to worry about. Otherwise you can always make it from some 3d printer dudes. There are many.

[ansarghani]

is it available freely or at 3M shops? Can you please send me a picture of the container?

http://www.amazon.com/3M-05990-Hand-Glaze-Quart/dp/B0002ZQB1U
Not sure if it is available locally.. 3M shop in Lahore might have it.. or Ahmad Yar (the detailing crew, 03008419912) import such kind of stuff.. otherwise someone can hand carry it from abroad.. fresh paint cures in 25-30 days, you still have some time to source it..

[nmshaikh]

Well if its plastic then you may want try one thing but i am 100 % sure it would destroy its color. You may use little amount of chloroform that is used to join acrylic sheets. Chlorofom would make this plastic soft you may bend it and then let it dry. Just paint you have to worry about. Otherwise you can always make it from some 3d printer dudes. There are many.

It is the brass shaft that is bent (see picture) not the needle. I doubt if your suggested remedy would work on brass.

[nmshaikh]

Meanwhile the top and bottom cover have been wet sanded and sprayed silver. I am trying to get the glass cleaned meanwhile. The rust stains are harder to remove than I thought. My biggest worry in using anything harsh is to damage the printing. I have soaked it in a beaker of water/dishwashing detergent solution. I will share the results.

[afnan.bashir]

It is the brass shaft that is bent (see picture) not the needle. I doubt if your suggested remedy would work on brass.

no not work on brass

[nmshaikh]

Na Yaar....... first circuit seen without PCB....... wao they just soldered these components. It would be PITA to diagnose problems on the other hand components seem to be basic so no fancy ICs. By the way apart from restoring the radio i can understand that for sure you wont stick to radio, why not do something usb like stuff?

and i would consider this madness as experienced passion....... way to go captain

The components appear to have escaped any water damage. they are just grimy and I have cleaned them up. I am going to check it myself and if I cannot get it working, take it to someone on College road Rawalpindi. I would also like to source some cloth covered wires there to replace some that are a bit frayed. You are right about it being fairly simple. No PCB's no complicated wiring. I already have the circuit diagrams so time to get cracking

[afnan.bashir]

Why cloth wires? you can use simple ones. If you dont want you can use shrink sleves on them too. Other than that they are simple to test with DVM, resistor with color band can be verified and inductors could also be checked. You may find every component, i suppose they are easily source able from Hall Road Lahore. If transformer are bad its very easy to get it re winded. Pretty simple stuff

[nmshaikh]

Why cloth wires? you can use simple ones. If you dont want you can use shrink sleves on them too. Other than that they are simple to test with DVM, resistor with color band can be verified and inductors could also be checked. You may find every component, i suppose they are easily source able from Hall Road Lahore. If transformer are bad its very easy to get it re winded. Pretty simple stuff

why cloth covered wires???? because that is how they were and if I can find something as close to original as possible...I will!

I will start testing the individual components but first i will arrange a 6V power supply and test it as is.

[nmshaikh]

The top and bottom cover have been wet sanded and painted. The middle however remains to receive the treatment. As there are no PCB's to remove to prevent water damage or overspray I used some PVC tape to cover all the holes in the radio. The top and bottom are then going to be masked using painters tape and plastic sheet for the same reason.

[syedmughees]

The car is out of the paint booth and looks all nice and shiny even without the heavy polishing

AOA Bro,

I just saw your thread and i must say you did amazing job, the best restoration i have ever seen. Can you please share the cost of paint job? and Location too.
I wanted to paint my car from the same painter.
Please suggest in term of work and cost.

Best Regards

[madhouse12]

The needle that appears white is actually a fluorescent red. Years of exposure to the sunlight and the exposed part is faded white. The shaft that is turned to tune the radio is bent. I am almost 100% sure that it would break if I tried to straighten it. Can anyone suggest how it can be straightened safely?

a little heat should help with straightening it. a small blow torch maybe

[margallar]

I brought a roll of 3M seam sealer tape from the US. (bought off Amazon)

would you happen to have any surplus, i need it for a car that i am fixing.

btw found permatex rust treatment @adenwala

[nmshaikh]

would you happen to have any surplus, i need it for a car that i am fixing.

btw found permatex rust treatment @adenwala

Sorry I used up all. It was some 30 ft or so and wasted a little too. I do have an extra roll of 3M window sealer that I'd be happy to offer. I may order some more for another project so I'll order some extra.

[nmshaikh]

a little heat should help with straightening it. a small blow torch maybe

Too big a risk. I can probably use it as is but if it breaks in the process of straightening then I am buggered.