AR3a Cabinet Restoration Tips

[GR3GRS]

Hello! I’m considering restoring my AR3a cabinets, but don’t know where to start. I thought they were solid wood, but apparently AR3a’s are plywood with wood veneer. I don’t want to damage the cabinets in the process and was wondering if anyone had any tips they could share. Any help would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[ra.ra]

You'll get a ton of advice here about cabinet refinishing, The 3a's are veneer over panels made of plywood, MDF, or Nova-ply. The front nosing is solid wood. You'll get the best advice if you describe the species of veneer and post some pics.

 

[GR3GRS]

 

[GR3GRS]

I mainly want to get rid of the wood filler on the one speaker around the nosing, but if I can get rid of some scratches and discoloration that would be a bonus.

 

[Oerets]

If they were mine I would after removing all the components stuffing crossover ect....
Apply some paint stripper to remove the wood filler and any residue that way to save the amount of sanding needed.

The nicks and scratches may just be battle scars you need to live with. Sometimes once they are oiled and waxed will be easily forgotten.


How hard was getting the grill off? I have a pair of 3's that need attention and the grilles are my concern.

 

[GR3GRS]

The previous owner removed them and installed a clear tab at the bottom of the grill. They are super easy to take out and put back in.

 

[Copa1934]

Yours appear nicer than 2 of my 3 (pairs). While AK is a good source, wood magazine or one of the other wood periodicals tend to be more up to date and many more seriously tested solutions. Some "scratches" are more compression, where fibers aren't actually broken, or mildly damaged. In some cases water can be used to "swell" the fibers back into place. Then lightly sanded afterwards. Filling gouges or holes are another matter and test of ones patience. Honestly you have a nice set to start with. So many of these, like mine, are truly battle scarred and require re-veneer. Oh, http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/ THE go to source for AR speakers. There you can download the color chart, kinda like the old paint charts for automobiles. That way you can actually identify the color they called it.

 

[GD70]

Here's a link to one of my AR3a restorations. Lots of pics which you might find helpful.
Easier to read through these than re-write all the descriptions etc...

Yours should clean up nicely.

Cheers, Glenn

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/new-ar-3a-restoration-project.795357/