Cosmetic Restoration of Bendix 526C Catalin Radio
It is difficult to believe that the BEFORE and AFTER pictures below are the same radio, but they are! When we received this radio in our shop for a cosmetic restoration, it appeared to have a green swirl colored cabinet.
Using our “Old School” techniques we began cutting the dark and muddy patina with a series of metal mesh sanding discs from 120 Grit up. Our goal in the cutting process is to reach the base Catalin surface. To get to that surface level, we encountered a hardened patina that we cut through. Once this was accomplished, the true color of the cabinet revealed itself. The cabinet was not a green swirl but a vibrant green onyx. The green onyx cabinets are considered the most desirable cabinet color in this model.
We created a new finish from the base Catalin to a high-gloss, super smooth finish that glows.
Before
After