Original finish

[Russ62]

Hi, I wonder if anyone besides me has a taste for original finish on the wood phones? I prefer this even if the finish has the typical crazing or wrinkling. This is because when I was young antiques were a lot less prone to being refinished, and most refinish jobs don't have the smooth, filled grain appearance seen on well preserved originals. I do however, carefully clean, and go over with either Old English Scratchcover or Lemon oil or paste wax, depending on the condition of the finish. Also I clean and polish the nickle and repair the wiring back to stock if cut or altered.  Of course if the finish is half gone, it would need to be refinished, but then I usually pass, unless its really cheap for trading stock, etc.

[Sargeguy]

It really depends on the phone.  If the original finish is 4 layers of paint, then I would refinish it.  If it has no major issues I keep it original.