Emerson Model 659 Bakelite Radio (1949)

I paid a whopping $1.50 for this big guy at a church rummage sale. It was covered with hundreds of specks of white paint. Latex paint spots are quite easy to remove, so don't let them scare you off. Dab some paint thinner (mineral spirits) or a mild solvent such as "Goof-Off 2" onto a soft cloth. Rub patiently and resist the temptation to scrape off the dots with anything sharp. For thick or stubborn spots, put a healthy drop on the area and let it soak for a few minutes before rubbing.

After letting it languish on the back bench for over three years, I finally hauled out this radio to restore the electronics. Replacing the paper capacitors noticeably brightened the sound. When relatives came to stay during the Thanksgiving, 1998, I put this radio in the guest room. After almost forty years, it's back in action!

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