Rebuilding the VT-71 (TS-4H)

[miniman82]

Labor Day weekend update!


Did some work to the cabinet, and discovered that the veneer under all that cracked finish was in outstanding condition. I stripped off the old stuff (took 3 times), then sanded it with 100 grit to get it to a uniform grain. After that I hit it with 220 grit to get it smooth, then cleaned the surface with tack cloth and mineral spirits. After it dried, I was torn between putting on the red mahogany stain I bought or just leaving the wood as-is.

After much thought (and a few beers), I decided to just have a go at leaving the wood like it was, and proceeded with the ultra gloss poly. Did one coat, let it dry, then lightly sanded with 220. Did another coat, buffed that with 0 steel wool. The pics show where it's at right now. I think I'm gonna do 00 then 000 wool followed by a final coat and call it done, since it's looking pretty good. I really like the tone of the natural wood, and I'm glad now that I didn't stain it. It's not as dark as it was, more like a nice light mahogany type of thing.