Repair or restore MC40?

[CDinMB]

I bought this MC40 as a restore project but end up using it while I refurbed my MC30s. Well, that is done and they are great but I now have an MC40 that is cosmetically pretty sad. I am torn between just replacing the electrical components that need a refresh or doing a full cosmetic restoration. Getting it back to top working condition would be an easy project since the big caps look pretty new and the transformers are good. It has a great sound, different from the MC30s but nice. The other option is take it all apart and rechrome the chassis which is very pitted and rusty. I tried WD40 and spray cleaner wax with a power tooth brush and cloth to remove the rust. That left it looking like a shiny metalflake finish and the edges are pure brown rust. Lol. I guess that is a look, but not the shiny chrome a MC40 should have. I found a local motorcycle shop that can rechrome it better than new, so it really comes down to my time and effort. Is it worth going through the complete tear down?

Carmen

 

[Seamaster]

Restore looks like a great project, and also a lifetime experience that you can brag about!

 

[BillWojo]

Mine are not as bad as yours but they have a bit of pitting. A member here did a full electronic restore on them and they sound awesome. I had thought about rechroming them but then your stuck with no silk screening on them. I figured that I'll just keep them original, they are old, like me and I to have my battle scars.
What is important to me is the sound, that part always puts a smile on my face. Kind of like a really good woman who's looks are starting to fade.....

BillWojo

 

[dewickt]

I like to repair first, this gives me a base line so if I have any problems in the restoration I know it was working.

 

[CDinMB]

I like the idea of repairing then restore. It came with a couple of bad tubes, which once replaced had the unit sounding really good. It worked for a few weeks then a third tube went. At the same time I finished restoring the second MC30 so I didn't need it in the rotation any more. I honestly didn't even check the bias. But the caps are old so probably should be replaced and at the rate it was eating tubes I suspect it is running hot. So repair, set it up correctly then restore it makes sense to me. Thanks!