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Aluminimum knob restauraton advice please

VintageDutch

VintageDutch

Active Member
Hi... I'm n the process of restoring a ROTEL 602 Receiver.

Build like tank, German design and Japanese build from the 70ties...

Usual there are some scratches, dings and what nots to get fixed... One of major headaches is the volume knob....the nice big shine thingy you can use to make the neighbors to listen to good music...

It is pitted rotel 602 volume knob.jpg

Some call it character of age... I just want to drag it in the 2021 and "botox" out the wrinkles ..

To me it seems that only the lacquer on the knob is damaged...yet It still have to inspect it better...

As my wife and I were talking about solutions how to fix this we came across the idea to chemically strip it (like the do with alloy wheels) have it cleaned the same way they do the wheels and then Blank lacquer it.

What do you guys and Girls think about this?
 
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If it is as you suggest solid aluminum, have at it, treat it like you would a nice aluminum wheel. If it has plastic in it for anything, rethink. Rotel was a quality company.
 
It's going to need abrasive work to get past the pitting. If you or a friend has a disc sander with a very fine sanding disc (I'd use 320 grit), you can hold the knob in the center of the disc and clean it up. Then polish and several coats of clear protective coating. Without re-anodizing, it will corrode again if the coating is rubbed off, so I'd use a clear spray-on baking lacquer.
 
If it is solid alu. put a shaft in the hole , lock it with the setscrew , put the shaft into a drill turn it an and push sandpaper against the front to remove the blemishes .
Or chuck it in a lathe and take a scimcut off the front ,this however needs a lathe .
Hope this helps ,regards F.
 
TudorTurtle said:
It's going to need abrasive work to get past the pitting. If you or a friend has a disc sander with a very fine sanding disc (I'd use 320 grit), you can hold the knob in the center of the disc and clean it up.
Click to expand...

Hmmm that could be an option but then you loose the original tread on the surface...It is however a way of dealling with it to keep in mind...
 
I work with aluminum all the time.....those pits look pretty deep. I would go with the drill method @TudorTurtle mentioned, but go with a very light abrasive like a grey colored Scotch-Brite pad. Take as little of the aluminum off as you need to. You could use some polish to finish off the knob when you are done, using the drill. Clear coat when complete. Good luck!!
 
I've had issues with the aluminum plating on Rotel equipment being, inferior. Being kind in telling you now what I think.

You might be best to give it some of the ol leave it to FK alone until a replacement knob can be sourced.
 
I think you all are right... I'll get the last advice from the Coating company..Ask for a result guarantee (they won't give it... but hey... can't hurt to ask...
 
whahahahah @El Rubio

El Rubio said:
If it doesn’t work out, you could make one from a small can of green beens.
Click to expand...
Started melting bean cans.....

Still not over the green bean tin antenna "hack"? F.y.i. that mono dipole is still in use and got a little extra help from a Full folded round Dipole and a signal amp....
 
Oerets said:
I've had issues with the aluminum plating on Rotel equipment being, inferior. Being kind in telling you now what I think.

You might be best to give it some of the ol leave it to FK alone until a replacement knob can be sourced.
Click to expand...

Wow @Oerets That does not sound like positive experience.... can you tell more?
 
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