I recently restored my most recent purchase: a 1948 WE 305 set. The 305 means that it has the ringer cut-off function, governed by the small dial on the base.
For the restoration, I buffed the body with S.S.S and Novus. The handset was incredibly dull before, so I spent much time at the bench grinder to get a nice sheen. Unfortunately, I was unable to get off the paint specs as you can see in the last image. Additionally, I was glad to find that it is completely dates matching.
Overview and Demonstration video: (not yet uploaded)
Ben
Excellent job!
Ben...superb job!!! I always get the paint of with brasso, the tough ones I let some goo be gone sit on them overnight. I use a Q-tip to apply. A fingernail does work wonders after the goo be gone. You have done an exceptional job on the 305, one of my favorite phones...Doug
Thank you, both!
Those are some good tips, Doug. I must try them on several phones I have with the paint spatters.
Ben
Ben....from experience, you can always get the paint spatter off without damage. Sometimes it take a LOT of patience. Really Nice!...Doug
Very nice, Ben!!!
You should try some Brasso on the fingerstop; you wouldn't believe the gunk that comes off after Brasso-ing it. Think about it: 67 years of skin oil hitting that thing!
Fine steel wool along with Brasso does a number on a dirty fingerstop. It will look good as new..Doug
Thank you,
I actually know about using brasso on the finger stops, though I ran out of it. The next shipment should be coming in the next day or so.
Ben