So I picked up recently a Panasonic RX-FD80L; it was absolutely filthy but couldn't say no given that it's one of the less common boxes and also I have a thing for these early CD boomboxes which still have the flashy mid-80s styling (would love to acquire a Sony CFD-5 to go with it, but I think I might be waiting a while to find one of those...) Having the speakers raked upwards really does seem to improve the sound, especially when it's placed at waist height or below. Don't know why more boomboxes weren't designed like this.
Anyway I've managed to clean it up quite nicely but the one thing I can't do anything about easily is the top panel. It looks like this has been stored in less than optimal conditions in the past and rust has bubbled up through it (I suppose it's some kind of metallic chromed finish on top of plastic.) Not sure what to do about this, I could try sandpapering it down in the affected spots but presumably that will lose the design / lettering underneath? And getting a replacement top panel seems like it would be a challenge given that it's a hard box to locate to begin with. Any thoughts on how to proceed?
Anyway I've managed to clean it up quite nicely but the one thing I can't do anything about easily is the top panel. It looks like this has been stored in less than optimal conditions in the past and rust has bubbled up through it (I suppose it's some kind of metallic chromed finish on top of plastic.) Not sure what to do about this, I could try sandpapering it down in the affected spots but presumably that will lose the design / lettering underneath? And getting a replacement top panel seems like it would be a challenge given that it's a hard box to locate to begin with. Any thoughts on how to proceed?
I've stuck it at the top of all my other boxes so I can't see the top face of it unless I'm on tip-toe; out of sight, out of mind 