Unknown Motorola

[hermitcrab]

she is rough , but I could not turn down the price of 20 bucks , no model number anywhere on the outside... may find something on the inside, it appears to be 6BQ5 outputs from what I can see through the holes , the legs are sitting on top... they are so spindly I didn't want to snap them off moving it...any one have a guess on a model? I'm sure it was on the lower end of the scale...

[William]

I have seen that cabinet before, and it has the same changer as my not so portable Motorola portable. I bet Dave, Motorola Minion, will know the model number once he sees your post. Nice find by the way and the price was definitely right.

Bill

[hermitcrab]

once the back was off all questions were answered , it is a model HS822C, AM works, FM dead, Turntable froze solid , and the ugly look ?... it was painted!... this was a blonde cabinet , hopefully the paint will peel off easily...here are some snaps In the back...

[hermitcrab]

The HS-822C Sam's brings up a TV set and the wrong amplifier? I did find a Sam's just for the amplifier HS-835 ...the outputs are 6BM8 ... the picture on the Sam's looks just like the set and it says it is a SK 43....

[electra225]

Good score, Elton. Definitely restorable. You couldn't pass it up at $20......

[William]

Most Motorola stereos have an SK in their model numbers and the HS is part of the chassis number, so it makes sense with what you discovered, Elton. The finish that is on your newest toy looks like it was a factory painted type finish. I have two mono units with that same finish and both of them are severely scratched and the finish is peeling. Both have a Mahogony look to the finish.

Bill

[hermitcrab]

I don't think the factory would paint around the components after it was built which this is ....this is an amateurish job to be sure... still looking for a schematic for the tuner section ...

[hermitcrab]

She is now identified as a SK-43... I wish the one I have looked as good

[William]

Wow, that is a beautiful Motorola, Elton and it definitely does not have a painted finish. If you strip off the brown and discover blonde underneath you will have a unique Motorola. I bet there not a lot of those made. Congrats on your find.

Bill

[William]

I just found this and thought it might help.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375168165382

Also this:

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/motorola_ ... 2hs82.html

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

This Moto was definitely not on the lower end of
the scale.

I hope the finish restoration goes well.

Those blondes are rare.

[hermitcrab]

The more I learn about this set , the more bummed I am at the paint job on it... one edge of the lid is missing paint , and it sure looks blonde , or could be just white birch that was painted from the factory ,but the brass finish on the legs were also painted .. guess I will experiment with some paint remover and see what happens

[hermitcrab]

Ok... I am going with a blonde painted cabinet, I didn't have any paint thinner , so I tried a few squirts of carb cleaner just to try it out ... this will be long and tedious ... here are some pics to show the brass under the paint and the original wood color on the back side of the legs ...any suggestions on how you would go about it are appreciated ...

[maxidyne]

I would go easy with the carb cleaner. That stuff has acetone in it. If I remember correctly that blonde finish is paint based. What kind of paint is on it? If it is latex, you might get by using waterless hand cleaner and 0000 steel wool. Good luck....

[William]

Elton. I have used this product numerous times with success. As a matter of fact, it is being used right now on a small Philco console with the painted/faux finish that is peeling on the lid and one side. Interestingly, the wood underneath has a nice Mahogony color to it. I have no idea what kind of wood it is, maybe Poplar.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CitriStrip-32- ... 5003322011

Bill

[hermitcrab]

Elton. I have used this product numerous times with success. As a matter of fact, it is being used right now on a small Philco console with the painted/faux finish that is peeling on the lid and one side. Interestingly, the wood underneath has a nice Mahogony color to it. I have no idea what kind of wood it is, maybe Poplar.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CitriStrip-32- ... 5003322011

Bill

Funny , I had to pick up my sister from the airport , when her flight was delayed I went to the local hardware to blow some time and bought the same identical stuff... says it can be used indoors , the only reason I got it... I will let you know how it does ...

[William]

I guess great minds think alike. It has always worked good for me, so I hope it does for you as well.

Bill

[electra225]

The Sparton console in the Maxidyne avatar had pink paint on it when I got it. It was latex bathroom paint. I used GoJo waterless hand cleaner without pumice and 0000 steel wool. IF you get the paint started to lift on a corner, it will come right off of the original oil-based finish. I painted the end grains black since the pink paint stuck in it better.

There was a member on ARF who redid the blonde finish on an RCA record player and did a credible job.

[TC Chris]

Seems to me some of the "blonde" finishes used a white-paint wash, a thinned coat. You could experiment with various tones of "white" (there are many) and also with whatever your favored finish is, since some add a bit of yellow warmth. The experiments are probably best done on scrap wood.

Chris Campbell

[William]

You are correct, Chris, white paint is part of a blonde finish.

Bill