I have been collecting radios for the past 25 years, the first two radios I purchased from a thrift store are still in my collection. I started collecting tube radios in the beginning, and due to lack of space at that time, got involved into collecting the old pocket transistor radios. I probably had over 400 of these little jewels at one time, and about 5 years ago decided to go back to the tube sets.
Most of the tube sets I started collecting in the beginning have been sold off when I started collecting the transistors. And now, most of the transistor sets I have been collecting for such a long time have been sold off. I do regret it some times, but one can only collect so much.
What I collect now are the deco style plastic radios from the pre. war era to the 50s, plaskon-bakelite and painted bakelite, too poor to buy the Catalins. Most of the radios I own, I restore myself, electronically if possible ( capacitors, resistors, tubes etc.) and also repairing damaged cases with cracks and chips. I also do my own repainting, the paint I use is an automotive paint made by DuPont. It's a single stage acrylic enamel (CENTARI), app. $45.00-$50.00 a pint to have it hand color matched, enough to paint two radios.
The process I do, strip the old paint off, repair damage or flaws, primer then hand wet sand, paint, hand wet sand with 1500-2000 grit sand paper, hand rub and hand polish to a gleaming shine. I also repair wooden sets including reveneering, but that is another story. I am new to doing a website, and due to lack of time can only put a few sets at a time. Thank you for visiting my site.
WEB SITE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION