How to Refinish a Victrola

Cover nonwooden pavillons to protect them from stain overlap.

The Victrolla is an antique phonograph. If you would like to restore the beauty of an old wooden Victrola, accomplish your goal by applying an attractive, enduring petroleum-based wood finish. Unfortunately, the Victrola will reject its new finish unless you properly strip down the existing sealer. Learn the proper way to prepare the phonograph for stain, or flaking will result. Preserve the new finish by adding a new coat of clear sealer, or fading is likely to occur.

Things You'll Need

• 60-grit sandpaper
• 130-grit sandpaper
• Mineral spirits solvent
• Shop rags
• Canvas drop cloth
• Plastic masking sheeting
• Painter's masking tape
• 2-inch natural-bristled china paintbrush
• Gel stain
• Mineral spirits
• Solvent-based polyurethane varnish

Instructions

1. Sand all wooden portions of the Victrola with 60-grit sandpaper. Sand toward the antique phonograph's wood grain, or you will scar the wood. Stop once the Victrola appears dull.

2. Smooth the Victrola by sanding it with 130-grit sandpaper.

3. Wipe sawdust from the antique phonograph, using clean shop rags dampened with solvent. Let the Victrola dry for 30 minutes.

4. Take the Victrola outdoors and place it on a canvas drop cloth. Meticulously shield all portions of the antique phonograph that are to remain unfinished by covering them with strips of plastic masking sheeting, using a low tack painter's masking tape. If the horn-shaped pavillon is not wooden, cover it, too.

5. Coat the Victrola with gel stain, using a 2-inch china paintbrush. Wait two minutes before wiping all of the stain from the antique phonograph, using clean shop rags. Let the Victrola dry for at least four full hours.

6. Wash the china brush no less than three times, using solvent.

7. Coat the Victrola with solvent-based polyurethane varnish, using the 2-inch china paintbrush. Add a thin coat and brush toward the antique phonograph's wood grain. Let the Victrola dry for at least four full hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Liquid stains may not provide a uniform finish to a Victrola, which is constructed of dense hardwood. For best results, finish the antique phonograph with a gel stain.