Re-Veneer a Jukebox

[Martyn]

Hi all,

I recently acquired an original 1946 Wurlitzer 1015 which will need some work to get it going again and again also to beautify it.  One area that I'd like to work on cosmetically is the cabinet.  While all of the plastics look good, the original wood veneer ideally needs to be replaced (it's peeling in a few places and a few deep scratches).  If anyone has attempted to re-veneer the cabinet of a Jukebox, I'd appreciate any tips or advice.  I'm not a woodworking expert, my expertise is in electrical/electronics and some mechanical experience too.

Thanks,
Martyn

[gordo]

Hi Martyn,

I had no previous experience, but successfully have re-veneered my Seeburg C, Wurlitzer 1100 and also a Seeburg KD200 (although it is not real wood veneer).

Firstly I stripped the old veneer off using a scaper and then sanding it down smooth.
I used car body filler to get the marks and bumps out.

I purchased a sheet of veneer and trimmed it to size, leaving about a half inch overlap all round.

I then used a wood glue (in Australia it's called Aquadhere) and spread it evenly over the surface.
Then I put the veneer onto the jukebox wood and weighted it down with many weights.
I used painters masking tape on all the corners.

After 24 hours I removed the tape, trimmed the edge and then did the next section.

It worked very well.
I would not hesitate to do it again.

Cheers Gordon

[Ron Rich]

Hi Guyz,
I have never tried doing it, but have seen it done hundreds of times using "Grip contact cement" I have helped p;ace the veneer (Decarlite brand) on many a Seeburg LPC-1/480/and other models of about that age-- One of the other guys in the shop, was the "expert" at it-- I always accused him of "loving the fumes" of the glue ! I liked the smell, when I could detect it-- but did not like getting "hi" on it ! Ron Rich

[Martyn]

Thanks Gordo and Ron for the feedback.  I've determined that I'll fix the machine mechanically/electrically first, then beautify it after is is working properly.  I've found one bent lift cam in the mechanism (the one that raises the record selection arm) and also a blown 3/4A fuse in the Junction Box.  The record select buttons on the front do not select any records either (no solenoid action).  I bypassed the coin mechanism/grinder with a free play plug but still not working.  will take another look at this a lot closer when I get back home from my Christmas vacation in Mexico.  It shouldn't be that hard to fix but I'll need to follow the wiring diagram (which is a pain), to see what is wrong.

[doghouseriley]

There's no end of "how to veneer" videos on YouTube.

You could have a look on here.

Contributors restore antique radios, many radios need the cabinets re-veneering and they make excellent jobs of it.

www.antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php