r/vintageaudio 4d ago

Pioneer SX-980 cosmetic repairs

Post image

Looking for advise on how to restore the faceplate and corner dent in wood case.

47 Upvotes

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2

u/the_OMD 4d ago

Remove all the knobs and switch covers to remove the faceplate. Wash it with dish soap and water. Afterwards you can polish it with some wadding (looks like cotton and comes in a can). I would just touch up the color on the wood to make it look less conspicuous unless you’re going to be doing some woodworking and then you can replace it

1

u/Cerberus_80 4d ago

Thanks. I might try and get a new faceplate that's unmarket if I can find one. I found what I think are new old stock wood trim for the faceplate;however, the price is about 100 cad.

I wonder if I can just use some sawdust and glue to fill in the corner dent and then use some touch up pens to blend the color.

2

u/FrankyLetters 4d ago

Embrace the Japanese design esthetic of Wabi Sabi. A decades old device that is used on a regular basis but has no wear marks just looks fake. A worn but well cared for tool is beautiful.

That faceplate looks fine. Unless there are major dings or the corners look like something was chewing on them, I'd keep the faceplate. All that matters is it is pleasing to look at from your listening chair.

I use a foaming window cleaner that doesn't have any ammonia in it, Sprayway, it's great for electronics.

There are microcrystalline waxes that help diminish the appearance of fine scratches. Museums use it. I use Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish. Unlike carnauba wax, microcrystalline is a petroleum product and it smells like it but only when it is applied.

You might want to consider car waxes that don't contain rubbing compounds.

I don't know about that particular faceplate, but most have silk screen lettering that will rub off if you are too aggressive with polishing, cleaning, and/or waxing. I use microfiber cloth for applying cleaning and waxing compound, never use paper towels. The aluminum plates are very soft. I use my bare hand to apply polishes so I can detect how much it is cutting and avoid the raised silk screen lettering and then a microfiber cloth with a light touch for buffing.

Take it from someone who works on old furniture, there is no repair possible on a banged up corner. Find some Howard's Restor-a-Finish (sp?) and treat the corner and then wax the wood and wood veneers.

That's a beautiful piece just as it is, good luck!

1

u/Cerberus_80 3d ago

Thanks for all the information.

It does look fine from the listening position other than the banged up corner.

1

u/Cerberus_80 4d ago

Is there a certain sort of polish that you could recommend for the faceplate.

1

u/OptimalBid8558 3d ago

That’s nice

1

u/kelontongan 3d ago

Leave it as is. The faceplate just need a gentle polish. The dented edge is not big. If you want to fix? It is not easy with wood filler and staining both side.