To answer your question, prefer with the halo for historical reasons if nothing else, but wonder if it can be dimmed down a bit.

Not with this model. It's on or off

Mine does have a dimmer but I think the halo tube is weak as it only somewhat works on high. (Increasing line voltage helps the halo but I don't like doing that to the chassis.)

I started doing some cosmetic work starting with flipping the legs around. Much, much more stable now!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c9aa1cfb_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8d614106_c.jpg
OZ cream polish did a great job on the cabinet.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8fe7f75d_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8294282e_c.jpg

Now, I'm trying to get the screen bezel off for cleaning. There is a clearly visible screw in each corner.
After removing them, it's very loose but hung up on something at the top in the middle. I can't see any fastener on the inside of the cabinet.
Ah-ha, found this in the service info. Apparently, you remove the bezel by pulling some trim off.
That explains why there is a break in the bottom trim and a gap on the right. Sounds like the trim should slide to the right and something I'm missing goes in the middle
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...01b01684_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a771c23a_z.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...21378380_z.jpg

Finally! It's like one of those sliding puzzles where one tile is missing. The key is to slide that bottom piece over far enough to the right to allow this corner piece to come out.

Then slide the left down enough to remove the corner brace in the upper-left.
Then, slide the entire top strip off to the left.
Then, slide the left trim up and off.
Repeat on the other side.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...276f422f_c.jpg

Here's the halo tube revealed.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4aeab3ef_c.jpg

Now we can also see the CRT face is pristine.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...80ce68fe_c.jpg

Wish I could say the same about the plastic safety cover. Time to start polishing.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0a0d70e0_c.jpg

Polishing day
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...11c16aa9_c.jpg

Hmm, strange place to find some oregano :beatnik:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...603d4392_c.jpg

Turns out you have to unmount the CRT to get the front bezel off.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...cc9d40cf_c.jpg

Now, I can finally get at that loose grille cloth.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...89c4113a_c.jpg

I'm using GC Electronics service cement and some clamps to reaffix the separating grill cloth backing board.

I was also finally able to free up the fine tuning control. A rubber washer had fused to the plastic gear.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...620261df_c.jpg

Very nice Bob. That OZ cream polish did a NICE job... I think I'll try some on my Philco. I'm still trying to wrap my head around what they did on these sets. It's a photo finish style "veneer" but looks to be covered in lacquer as there's some fine crazing here and there.

Bob is a machine. I don't know where, with a full time job, he gets the time to do quality work. Anyone can do a resurrection and send it out the door in working condition but these TVs are restored to a very high standard. He must have cloned himself somehow.

I know what you mean. Possible some early type of acrylic or polyurethane?

Putting it all back together starting with the CRT and polished screen cover.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a0d41eb1_c.jpg

I grew up watching a 19" Motorola that did this very thing, I thought it was "normal". The off-spot and a long-ago episode of vertical collapse have left marks on an otherwise strong 19XP4:sigh:

I do recall a circuit that used a separate set of switch contacts to either ground G1 or to break connection to the cathode if grounded, varies with type of video to CRT. I would personally connect a LV relay that is powered by the filament string, or 120vac coil relay if series heater.

Just a non hijacking comment if I may...Dave, you're about an hour drive from me! I don't think there's a VK member closer.

Hi Chris, send me your info on PM. The nearest ones I know are all 90 miles away!

[QUOTE=bandersen;3263850]I know what you mean. Possible some early type of acrylic or polyurethane?

Looking forward to the update video. As far as the coatings, I plan to perform a test to see if it's lacquer or something else. Hard to believe it is lacquer, as you'd think it would make the photo finish look like the neighbor in the movie "Something about Mary" In the mean time, I looked at reviews of that OZ polish and ordered some. Looks like good stuff