RESTORATION SERVICES:
DON'T PLUG IN THAT OLD RADIO!!
(Please note: Some radios may require additional work.)
OUR APPROACH TO PLASTIC CABINET RESTORATION
(Please note: Some radio cabinets may require additional work.)
YOUR RESTORATION COST
GALLERY OF CUSTOMER RESTORED RADIOS
If you have a vacuum-tube radio that has not been used for several years or more, please note that you should not plug it in and "check it out!" Most classic radios are not fused; therefore, antique radios are usually not protected against abnormal operating conditions. Any parts in your radio which may have deteriorated or failed can heavily stress or destroy other good parts. If this happens, it may become impossible to repair your radio. Additionally, the insulation on your radio's power cord may be questionable, presenting both a potentially lethal shock and a fire hazard
YOUR REPAIR COST
The total cost for the electrical/mechanical repair of your radio will consist of two separate charges: a labor charge and a parts charge.
In order to provide a degree of predictability to our labor charges, for radios produced in 1940 and later, Nostalgic Radios uses a fixed labor charge of twelve-dollars ($12.00) per tube times the number of tubes in your particular radio. For radios produced prior to 1940, Nostalgic Radios uses a fixed labor charge of fifteen-dollars ($15.00) per tube times the number of tubes in your particular radio. [Please note that so-called "in-block" capacitor replacements and other "extraordinary" repairs (e.g., extensive rust removal, intricate dial mechanism repairs, extensive replacement of rubber-insulated wire, etc.) may incur an additional labor charge of $30.00 per hour.]
Our parts charge will vary based upon the specific condition and model of your radio. Because specific parts requirements cannot be fully determined until the actual radio repair is undertaken, there is the possibility that additional parts will be required beyond those outlined in the original estimate. Should this occur, you must approve any additional charges before the work is done. As a guide, replacement parts cost for radios produced prior to 1940, averages between $25 - $35. For radios produced after 1940, the average is $15 - $25.
Due to the advanced ages of antique radios, exact, original replacement parts are rarely available or simply no longer exist. Although strictly "authentic" repair and restoration can be accomplished, such work typically involves a high degree of expense, and the final product is frequently less than 100% reliable. Consequently, such "authentic" repairs are usually of interest to only the most dedicated antique radio collector.
Nostalgic Radios provides high-quality functional electrical/mechanical repair services. When original replacement parts are not available, where such parts are prohibitively expensive, or where such parts (due to age) are failure-prone, we substitute quality, functionally equivalent parts. Whenever possible we attempt to maintain the original appearance of the radio when it is fully assembled, with part substitutions generally performed under the radio chassis. Where feasible, old solder joints are completely cleaned and new joints are formed. However, where such cleaning may damage fragile components, new components may be soldered to existing leads.
Electrical repairs generally consist of the following:
Nostalgic Radios warrants the labor and installed parts of an electrical/mechanical repair for a period of ninety (90) days after the radio is returned to you. If your radio develops a problem during the warranty period, Nostalgic Radios will repair your radio at no additional charge, other than actual charges for one-way freight and any required parts which were not included in the original repair
There are probably as many ideas as to what constitutes a "proper" plastic radio cabinet restoration as there are people who love old radios. In recognition of this, our goal at Nostalgic Radios is to restore your radio cabinet's finish in a manner and style that will be pleasing to you, its owner, whether this means retaining as much of the original finish as possible, or totally refinishing your set from "bare plastic." Whether you prefer to retain the character of the original finish, create a "faux Catalin" look for your Bakelite set, or anything in between, the choice is entirely yours.
While every radio cabinet requires specific treatment (based upon its condition and your needs and desires), restoration of a painted plastic cabinet generally consists of the following elements/steps:
The total cost for the restoration of your radio's cabinet will consist only of a labor charge (unless items such as special "trim" pieces, grille cloth, dial scales and/or lenses, dial bezels, escutcheons, etc. are required). The basic labor charge is $25.00 per hour. The following guide provides a rough indication of what your restoration costs may be, assuming that no extensive structural repairs or additional parts are required:
