Grillwork coating for a 1958 Rockola Model 1458

[johnlivo]

Hi, so tomorrow is the day when I pick up my new jukebox!  I am very excited as it will be my first one with a visible mechanism. It is a 1958 Rockola, model 1458.  


It presently isn't working, so, there will be lots of things to do to get it playing again, and I will be assessing that in the coming days.


But one thing is for sure, the main grill work that covers the lower front part of the Jukebox is noticeably rusty, and the chrome frame at the lower front part of the machine is rusty as well.  

This grill work I believe was a shiny gold color when the machine was made.  But, can anyone tell me what the grill was coated with?  Was it just a shiny gold colored paint, or is there such a thing as a gold colored chrome?  Is there a certain product I should use for this?

This photo is not my machine, but a picture that I found on line at American Jukebox History.  So, I would assume/hope that the gold color they show on this machine is accurate. 

Well, if anyone can help me here I would really appreciate it. 

John in Portland, OR

[Ron Rich]

Hi John,
Don't know correct name for that metal--have heard it called "anodized gold" ?? On that model--if the green "clam-shells" are still on it as shown--support them while transporting--don't "let em bounce"-- Ron Rich

[johnlivo]

Thanks again for the advice here as well Ron!  Got the new machine home ok, all in one piece and I don't think anything was damaged at all.  

I did end up using my trailer to transport it, and so I did not lay it on it's back as you suggested.  

But upon opening up the back to see the inside of the machine, I found that someone else must have transported it on it's back and didn't know that the amp was not screwed down, because when I opened up the back, there was the amp standing up on end! No damage appears to have been done though, so that was good. Just a couple of wires that go to one of the speakers was pulled out.  At a glance at the bottom of the amp it would seem perhaps that some of the caps have been replaced.  Not certain though. I have a friend who professionally restores old radios, so I will get his take on that when I see him on Wed. Will check all of the tubes at the same time. 

But overall, I am very pleased with the condition of this Jukebox. It may not be in too bad of shape, and may not take too much to get her playing records again!  I will post some photos this week some time. 

Upon closer inspection of the front grill now, yes, it does appear to be of a gold color. Anodized gold?  Do you or anyone know anything about it?? Is it some kind of a process like real metal coating like Chrome? 

At this point I wonder if it would be ok to just clean up and treat the rusty portions, and paint it with a similar colored gold paint?

Is it possible to find a free manual on line for this machine, or am I best just to purchase one from Victory Glass or some other outfit. I looked here and there and couldn't find a manual for it yet.  

The needle and cartridge is intact on the tone arm, but the needle is quite bent out of shape.  So, probably looking at replacing both of those I would guess. 

[johnlivo]

This is all about my newly acquired 1958 Rockola model number 1458 Jukebox. 

[Ron Rich]

Hi John,
Please read our FAQ's section for answers to the question about manuals-- Also--you can edit anything you have written--no need to re-post a "P.S.",as you did above-- Ron Rich

[Startgroove]

John,
If your grille is aluminum (which if it is anodized it would likely be), you can have it re-anodized in gold. The process is to strip the old anodizing off, clean and/or polish, then anodize. It's easy and not too expensive. Cheers, Russie

[johnlivo]

Hi Russie,

Great to find you here! It is John up in Portland. Someone had mentioned that they thought the goldish color on the grill came as a result of being adonized, but since your input I checked it with a magnet, and it definitely clung to the grill, so I guess it is not aluminum, but some type of steel, and slightly rusty and why I am trying to figure out how to restore it properly.

I have also called about 15 companies in the Portland area that advertise themselves as working in Chrome/plating, but so far one of them is able to help me with chrome repair on some lower trim pieces, and this grill.

Let me know if you can recommend someone.

Thanks!
John in Portland, OR

[Ron Rich]

Hi John,
There are a couple of companies that "specialize" in "jukebox chrome". They advertise in Always Jukin' magazine--check our FAQ's for that magazine.
Ron Rich

[johnlivo]

Thanks Ron, I mailed off my Chrome trim parts today. I had found a local place, but they are so backed up it was going to take 12 weeks.

I also gave up trying to Adonize my metal front speaker grill, and dealt with the rust on it and then painted it with a similar colored gold metallic paint. I am very happy with the look.

I have been searching here and there though trying to find some vintage looking speaker cloth to go behind the metal grill. I talked to Victory Glass and Stamman in Germany, both very helpful and honest letting me know that the one they offer wouldn't really look that similar.

I found an Italian company that sells speaker cloth for accordians, that has a very nice and similar look to mine. Only problem, the ones they sell on line are much too small, but I wrote to the company asking if it is possible to purchase a larger piece. I will let you know what happens there.

[Ron Rich]

Hi John,
If the Italian connection fails, check the other parts sellers listed in Europe, in our FAQ's section--Ron Rich

[Ken Layton]

John:

Give this company a try for plating:

American Plating Inc (API)
524 N Gold St, Centralia, WA 98531
Phone: [phone]

We've used them for chroming pinball machine and arcade game parts. They do excellent work. It took about 30 days for them to do the work we needed. They also do nickle, copper, and zinc plating.

Centralia is just 30 miles south of Olympia and we take the parts to them and pick them up when ready. For us there is no need for shipping since they are so close to us. Here is a picture of a 1972 Chicago Coin "Mini Baseball" arcade game we had all the trim get chromed by American Plating.

Attachments:

[Ron Rich]

Ken and all,
Please post recommendations such as this in our FAQ's section so all can always find them -- Thanks, Ron Rich ( I'll put this one there)

[johnlivo]

Hi Rich, and everyone, it's been a while since you heard from me. I didn't fall off the planet or anything. I am still making progress on my 1958 Rockola 1458. I received my new grill cloth, and cleaned up the four stars on the front and the grill work with some new gold paint, and almost have the new grill cloth installed as well.

I realized that I needed to get these things back on before the speakers can be put back on, and it made sense to install the speakers before putting the mech control center and slug rejector back in, so now one by one I think a lot of things will go back on the machine again now. In two or so weeks I also expect my chrome trim pieces to come back from being re-plated.

I also ordered some new micro switches to replace the three main ones that work in conjunction with the gripper motor and gripper system. Once those arrive then I will replace the two main motors that I took off to get moving again. So, things are moving in the right direction, and I just wanted to thank you all for your support!

John in Portland, OR