Did I say no more phones? Got a pink 61-500.

[JorgeAmely]

Larry:

You are going to need an ultrasonic cleaner to get rid of all that goo. 

[paul-f]

More pics.

The date stamping on the bottom is interesting.  Most 500 sets have the date on the 3rd line, not the first!

In the photo, it appears to be the original date.  In person, does it seem to have been overpainted?

[Greg G.]

More pics.

The date stamping on the bottom is interesting.  Most 500 sets have the date on the 3rd line, not the first!

In the photo, it appears to be the original date.  In person, does it seem to have been overpainted?

Yes, it does.  I noticed that when I first examined it, but not the order of the markings.  I was mostly looking for rust and corrosion.  

[Greg G.]

All totaled this took about 6 hrs.  I discovered a new cleaning technique in the process, particularly for the logos.  I used some Novus 2 and an old electric toothbrush, worked very well!  Just put a dab of N2 on the toothbrush like you would toothpaste.  

Instead of trying to buff the grime off with my buffer attachment for my drill, I used the toothbrush on the handset as well.  I saw what appeared to be a whitish discoloration on the underside of the handset that my buffer wouldn't get off, but it was actually white plaque-like gunk that the toothbrush method worked well on removing.  You can see it in the "before" pic of the handset if you click on the picture to enlarge it, especially around the receiver end.

It had a sticker-type number card that was partially wore off.  When I removed the fingerwheel, I found a vintage number card with an old Seattle exchange (SUnset) underneath.

I used a biscuit to fix the ugly mod-end modification that was on it.  But even that I consider a temporary fix.

So w/o further ado, I present to you the new and improved pink 500.  I wish all my phones cleaned up this well!

[Kenny C]

looks great

[Dennis Markham]

Very nice Greg!  And a "bonus" card to top it off.  Nice telephone and a very popular color.

[HarrySmith]

NICE!! It cleaned up well! Congrats!

[McHeath]

Wow, it really came out nice.  Sparkling bubble gum pink!  The idea of the electric toothbrush is interesting, might have to try that.

[JorgeAmely]

Very nice job Greg, and NO SANDING REQUIRED!

[Dan/Panther]

Excellent work on that very handsome Pink phone. They are one of my Favorites colors. How about you Bill C?
The toothbrush idea is one I've used before to get at tight spots on radio chassis, for that application I used Brasso for the aluminum.
D/P

[Jim Stettler]

I don't know about flowerbed phones, they did make a patio phone tho.
http://www.paul-f.com/wephot.html

There is one of them that turned up and is the hands of a collector (not me)

Jim

Found the link for Mike Davis's Patio Phone:
http://webspace.webring.com/people/am/mvtel/homepage.html

Jim

[Greg G.]

Very nice job Greg, and NO SANDING REQUIRED!

Those last 3 words are music to my ears!

[Greg G.]

Wow, it really came out nice.  Sparkling bubble gum pink!  The idea of the electric toothbrush is interesting, might have to try that.

I also used it in the cradle area to get all the small surfaces and corners with equal success, including that part that holds the plungers in place.  Not sure what you call that, plunger holder doo-dad?

Also worked well in getting stubborn sticker residue off the finger wheel.  I tried it "plain" at first, just the wet toothbrush w/o Novus, but that didn't work. 

[bwanna]

very nice, greg .  i often use a toothbrush for cleaning purposes, but i like the idea of "more power" 

[HarrySmith]

Always.
Bigger is better...More is good!