Model 19 veneer care?

**juniper** · October 13th, 2011, 09:14 AM

This probably has been discussed many a time, I did a search and found very little info. So forgive me in advance. What is the best preservitive for altec model 19 cabinets. I was going to spin the woofers and velcro the crossovers to the horn shelf and I thought it would be a good time to oil up the cabs. Thanks, I just dont want damage these speakers they are almost mint.

**les winter** · October 13th, 2011, 04:10 PM

Hello Juniper.

A question: what are you trying to achieve? Wood does not need preservatives. It's dead. It does not need to be fed. Keep it out of the sunlight and away from moisture and it will last almost forever. If the veneer is in good shape, then a proper furniture wax, such as Briwax or Trewax will add a sheen, making dusting easy and will do no harm. Do not use any furniture polish; these have oils which you will not be able to remove if you ever decide to refinish your cabinets. And the oils attract and hold dust.

If the veneer needs help, post some pics so you can get appropriate input.

great speakers.
congrats.
Les

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · October 13th, 2011, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by les winter

Hello Juniper.

A question: what are you trying to achieve? Wood does not need preservatives. It's dead. It does not need to be fed. Keep it out of the sunlight and away from moisture and it will last almost forever. If the veneer is in good shape, then a proper furniture wax, such as Briwax or Trewax will add a sheen, making dusting easy and will do no harm. Do not use any furniture polish; these have oils which you will not be able to remove if you ever decide to refinish your cabinets. And the oils attract and hold dust.

If the veneer needs help, post some pics so you can get appropriate input.

great speakers.
congrats.
Les

Les, I think its the silicone in furniture polish that would make it hard to refinish, not oil.

**juniper** · October 13th, 2011, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill

Les, I think its the silicone in furniture polish that would make it hard to refinish, not oil.

Thanks for the input, as far as what I am trying to acheive, I just want to keep these in as good a condition as I received them. I owe this too the next recipient, and too the next generation of Altec horn lovers.

**VolvoHeretic** · October 13th, 2011, 10:18 PM

When I was a mere lad, my mom once took me to England where we visited a bunch of castles. All of the wood trim, and furniture was unfinished, hand rubbed, natural and many hundreds of years old. The only thing they ever used was bees wax softened with turpentine. I tried it once on my black lacquer grand piano, rubbing it in with 0000 steel wool. A lot of work, but man, what a shine.

**bowtie427ss** · October 13th, 2011, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill

Les, I think its the silicone in furniture polish that would make it hard to refinish, not oil.

The two best uses i've found for typical "furniture polish" are lubricating the sliding door that goes out onto the deck, and restoring the factory shine to ATV and dirt bike plastics.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · October 14th, 2011, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

The two best uses i've found for typical "furniture polish" are lubricating the sliding door that goes out onto the deck, and restoring the factory shine to ATV and dirt bike plastics.

I've used it on black vinyl covered audio equipment covers........ I think I've used it on black plastic faces, too. I never thought of using it on something mechanical..... seems like it would be too thin.

**Altec Best** · October 14th, 2011, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by juniper

This probably has been discussed many a time, I did a search and found very little info. So forgive me in advance. What is the best preservitive for altec model 19 cabinets. I was going to spin the woofers and velcro the crossovers to the horn shelf and I thought it would be a good time to oil up the cabs. Thanks, I just dont want damage these speakers they are almost mint.

The best stuff to use IMHO is Howards ! Get the walnut if your cabs are walnut.It's not stain just pigmented. Restor-a-finish and the Feed & Wax.I've used both with great results.

http://www.howardproducts.com/restora.htm

http://www.howardproducts.com/feednwax.htm

**les winter** · October 14th, 2011, 05:55 AM

You are correct, ABG. The silicone in furniture polish makes it hard to refinish. The mineral oil attracts and holds the dust.

**Nipper** · October 14th, 2011, 09:34 AM

You guys are pretty hard on furniture polish!

I'll be the black sheep....

I have never used anything but Lemon Pledge on my Altecs since they came out of their boxes new (in 1975). Except for the original foam grills that disintegrated, they are still in perfect condition, absolutely mint. That's a pretty good track record. I wouldn't even consider using anything else on them now.

Then again, I still think a lot like I did when I was 20.