[Phono-L] Advice Sought: cleaning, restoring, and preserving portable phono case material

2013-02-01 Thread Arvin Casas
Hi All,

How would you go about cleaning, restoring/repairing, and preserving the
outer case material of a portable phonograph?  I have just recently come by
a U.K. Portable Columbia Viva-Tonal.

I've heard of using water with a splash of Dawn to clean off grime, shoe
polish to restore color, and then sometimes shellac / clear polyfinish as an
additional seal (and to lock down loose, torn, and frayed fabric).

Does that sound about right or are there more preferred alternatives?

Thanks!

Arvin


___
Phono-L mailing list
http://phono-l.org


[Phono-L] ARSC Research Grants 2013 -- Deadline Reminder

2013-02-01 Thread Bill Klinger
The Outreach Committee of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections
(ARSC) posts the following message. If you have any questions, please click
on the link or e-mail address below.

--- ARSC RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM ---
Deadline for receipt of applications: February 28, 2013


The ARSC Research Grants Program supports scholarship and publication in the
fields of sound recording research and audio preservation. (This program is
separate from the ARSC Preservation Grants Program, which encourages and
supports the preservation of historically significant sound recordings of
Western Art Music.) Project categories eligible for consideration include:
discography, bibliography, historical studies of the sound recording
industry and its products, and any other subject likely to increase the
public's understanding and appreciation of the lasting importance of
recorded sound. ARSC encourages applications from individuals whose research
forms part of an academic program at the master's or doctoral level.

ARSC members and non-members alike are eligible for grants in amounts up to
$1000. Grant funds can be used to underwrite clerical, editorial, and travel
expenses. Funds may not be used to purchase capital equipment or recordings,
to perform operations on sound recordings, to reimburse applicants for work
already performed, or to support projects that form part of a paid job.
Grant recipients must submit documentation of their expenses before
reimbursement. All grant funds must be disbursed within eighteen months of
the grant award.

Grant recipients are required to submit brief descriptions of their projects
for publication in the ARSC Journal, and are encouraged to submit articles
about their projects, for possible publication in the ARSC Newsletter or
Journal.

Research Grant Applications shall include:
-- a summary of the project (one page maximum), with samples of the work, if
possible;
-- a budget covering the entire project, highlighting the expenses the ARSC
Grant will cover (one page maximum);
-- a curriculum vitae; and
-- an indication of the prospects for publication or other public
dissemination of the project results.

Applications should be sent to:
ARSC Grants Committee Chair, Suzanne Flandreau, 621 N. Fifth Street, Niles,
MI 49120, U.S.A. (Four paper copies.)
or
arscgra...@aol.com (One electronic copy in Microsoft Word.)

Applications must be received by February 28, 2013.

The current Research Grant guidelines can be viewed at:
http://www.arsc-audio.org/committees/researchgrants.html

Questions about the Research Grants Program should be directed to Suzanne
Flandreau:
arscgra...@aol.com


The Association for Recorded Sound Collections is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the preservation and study of sound recordings -- in all genres
of music and speech, in all formats, and from all periods. ARSC is unique in
bringing together private individuals and institutional professionals --
everyone with a serious interest in recorded sound.


___
Phono-L mailing list
http://phono-l.org


Re: [Phono-L] Advice Sought: cleaning, restoring, and preserving portable phono case material

2013-02-01 Thread Vinyl Visions
Hi Arvin,It kind of depends on the condition of the material on your portable. 
I restored a Viva-Tonal last year that had been abused. The material had holes 
in it that were duct taped over and it was a challenge getting it back to 
presentable condition. If it just needs to be cleaned - no problem. Soap and 
water or spray on bathroom cleaner will get the grime off. If it has small 
tears or holes and is black in color, I found that liquid electrical tape (get 
it at Home Depot or Lowes in the electrical dept.) will fill and seal holes and 
tears and match pretty close to the original material. Mine was a problem, 
since it had padding under the covering and had large tears and cuts. For that, 
I cut off the material from the bottom and removed the padding leaving an inch 
or so around the edges, which I then glued down. I went to a fabric shop and 
got some similar material which I glued to some 3/16 plywood that I cut to the 
shape of the bottom of the case. Then, I screwed the mat
 erial covered plywood to the bottom and added some feet, which worked out 
pretty good. So, again, current condition is the key to what needs to be done 
to get it back to presentable. Some people may have been tempted to scrap mine, 
which looked really rough, but a little time and creativity brought it back to 
a state where it can be enjoyed and cosmetically it looks good. Being a 
Viva-Tonal makes it worth the time to restore it, since the sound quality is 
excellent...Curt 

 Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2013 19:35:07 -0500
 From: aca...@spamcop.net
 To: phono-l@oldcrank.org
 Subject: [Phono-L] Advice Sought: cleaning, restoring, and preserving 
 portable phono case material
 
 Hi All,
 
 How would you go about cleaning, restoring/repairing, and preserving the
 outer case material of a portable phonograph?  I have just recently come by
 a U.K. Portable Columbia Viva-Tonal.
 
 I've heard of using water with a splash of Dawn to clean off grime, shoe
 polish to restore color, and then sometimes shellac / clear polyfinish as an
 additional seal (and to lock down loose, torn, and frayed fabric).
 
 Does that sound about right or are there more preferred alternatives?
 
 Thanks!
 
 Arvin
 
 
 ___
 Phono-L mailing list
 http://phono-l.org
  
___
Phono-L mailing list
http://phono-l.org