Radio Repair Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to repair the radio that I send in?
   
   This varies on the severity of the problems encountered.  Often, there are "special" parts that need to be fabricated (knobs, push buttons, dial faces, etc) that takes up time.  Speakers may also need to be re-coned if they are damaged or punctured.  The average time for a radio or amplifier that needs no additional "special" parts to be in the shop has been 8 to 10 weeks.  However, backlog can delay a restoration too or the need to do serious troubleshooting.  On serious cases, it could take a few months before all piece parts are available to complete the restoration.
   
   If a power transformer is bad on a car radio, that could delay the repair for a long time until a suitable replacement can be found.  They don't make new ones anymore.  So, one has to be custom made or obtained from another similar radio. Expect to pay extra if that happens to your radio.
   
   Equipment is worked on a first come first serve basis.
    

2.  What is typically done on a restoration?
   
   I offer a few varieties of services that have different levels of restoration.  These are summarized as follows:

   Radio Tune-up Service:
   
   Radios that are currently working fine, could often use periodic evaluations to be sure that things will continue to work fine. The price for this service typically varies from $25 to $40 depending on the size and type of radio and includes:
   
   - Visual inspection of radio inside and out, noting issues
   - Inspect and tighten all loose connections, hardware
   - Test all tubes, report on condition, identify weak ones
   - Remove corrosion from Antenna and Ground connections
   - Inspect speaker for problems, rattles, etc
   - Clean Volume, Tone, and Band-Switch controls
   - Tighten knobs, replace felt backing
   - Check operation over the frequency ranges
   - Clean dust & dirt off the chassis and in the radio
   - Replace burned out dial lights (pilot)
   - Lubricate moving parts where appropriate
   
   Basic Radio Service
   
   This service is what the major of customers want.  Basically, fix all the bad components and get the radio working again.  We will do a bit more than that.  The price for this service typically varies from $90 to $190+ depending on the size and type of radio and includes:
   
   - Replace all power supply and bad paper capacitors
   - Check and replace if needed, AC power cords
   - Check the integrity of resistors and other components.  Where
     ever possible, keep the original look of the chassis. Use top
     quality replacement components
   - Test all tubes. You will be notified of tubes that are weak or bad.
     There is an addition charge for tubes if they are replaced.
     Typically, tubes are not the major problem in restoring older
     electronic equipment.  Prices for replacement tubes are in the
     range of $4 to $9 each for auto radios and $7 to $16 each for
     other radios.  There are tubes that are becoming more scarce
     (but not impossible to obtain).  Those tubes can cost over $50
   - Clean Volume, Tone, and Band-Switch controls
   - Basic chassis and dust cleaning
   - Brittle wire replacement (if serious, this can get laborious and
     extra charges may be applied. See next question on this problem).
   - Replace burned out dial lights (pilot)
   - If we are working on a car radio, the vibrator will be checked.  If
     it does not work (this is about 65% of them), a new solid-state
     vibrator is used. They cost an additional $30
   - We align the radio to insure maximum signal capturing integrity
   - Burn-in.  After restoration, the equipment is operated for 2 to 3
     hours minimum to insure component integrity.  We don't run it
     for hours and hours or days, as statistically it is not needed
   
   If you need professional wooden cabinet refinishing we always send out cabinets to a professional furniture restorer. The price for this service typically varies greatly.  So, contact us for more details.
    

3. What is the Philco and Zenith radio brittle wire syndrome?
   
   This problem is common on many radios, not only Philco but on some Zenith's, RCA's and other radios that were manufactured from 1939 to 1943.  The rubber insulation used on the wires in these radios turns brittle from heat and crumbles off the wire leaving them bare.  This causes shorts and potentially does serious damage to the set.  Radios with this problem typically need 50 to 85% of the wiring re-done.
   
   The poor quality insulation was used in power transformers too.  In this case, the transformer needs to be removed from the set and the wires need re-dressing with new tubing.  See the photos below.  If you have a set with this problem, be prepared to spend additional dollars for labor to fix this.
   
   Case Story - Philco Radio Brittle Wire Photos
    

   Power Transformer The black power transformer lower, and surrounding brittle wires. Shorts can occur as the brittle insulation falls off the wires.	Transformer Removed Just removing the transformer makes the mess worse. This shows the residual insulaton that crumbled off the wires when removing the transformer.	Power Transformer Removed transformer showing the now bare wires. The transformer needs to be disasembled and then the wires are re-insulated. NOTE, there are many other wires in the radio that have this problem. They need to be pulled and replaced.	Re-Dressed Transformer leads are re-insulated (2 layers) and color coded. The transformer is tested before it is installed back in the radio to be sure it is 100% functional.

   
    

4. What can I use on my Bakelite, Catalin or Plastic Radio to add shine to the cabinet?
   
   We have a great product for that. Click here to go to the Radio Products page.