11/25/13

Restored Eico 147A Signal Tracer

So I finally got my flocking material.  I think I have 4 ounces of the stuff now - probably a lifetime supply.  I also sprung for an applicator - basically a small squeeze bottle.

It was more than worth the $2.00 I paid for it.

The process is quite simple.  You put some adhesive on your item to be flocked, then you put the flocking on it.

The flocking experts recommend paint as the adhesive.  This makes sense as it can serve two purposes - it will cover the material in the same color as the flock (assuming you use the same color) and it will make the flock adhere to the object.

Here I am painting the speaker screen with thinned acrylic (water base) paint.  This worked perfectly because it filled the spaces in the screen.

Then you sprinkle/spray your flocking onto the object.  The Fowl Flockers people (where I got the flocking) recommend doing it over a plastic bag in some sort of container, so you can recover any excess flock.  Good idea.

It took me three passes, mainly since I wanted to get the whole screen covered.

Here's the freshly flocked speaker screen.  It looks great, I must say!  I'm surprised how well it came out.


Just a few more details and then I can put the signal tracer back together.

I always try to clean up orignal fasteners unless they're too corroded or rusted.  These two hold the eye tube bracket on.

I dunked them in naval jelly for about 30 minutes.

Here they are after the derusting and then being polished with Mother's Aluminum Wheel polish.

I also cleaned the whole faceplate with waterless hand cleaner - I use Gojo.  The cleaner is so mild it will not take the painted labels off.  I got 45 years worth of dirt off the panel.  You just need a small amount of cleaner - it works wonders.

Here's the finished Eico 147A Signal Tracer.  I have a radio I want to work on this winter and the tracer will come in very handy.


2 comments:

  1. hi, can I ask something?
    Why did you flock on the grill of speaker?
    any good reason?
    My name is junghoon from South Korea.

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  2. The grill was flocked originally when it was built. The flocking came off over the years, so I wanted to restore it to its original condition. Thanks for your question!

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