Hi, I've just been on a two hour round trip to one of my boombox hunting grounds and wandered into a shop which I know has a nice old boombox which is being used for music as the shop radio. The box is a Toshiba RT-6066 (does anyone have a pic?). It's twin deck, black one-piece with a 3-band graphic equalizer. I've been in asking if I can have this box many times in the past, and the manager has always refused, even when offered a replacement radio and/or cash.

The shop was refurbished two months ago. It has been fitted with new laminate flooring and the walls have been painted a very bright white. It looks very fresh, much cleaner than before. The boombox has been placed in a more prominent position now and guess what, it was used by the decorators for music. It's covered all over, in white paint spots. I was lost for words when I saw it in this state. It was minty before, and the design is as near to perfect as I've ever seen on this shape and size of box which is what made me like it so much. Now it looks a disgrace, totally out of place in it's new bright white surroundings. The top if it has that dipple-effect finish, and it's covered thick in paint flecks. The chrome trims have paint on them, the tuner window has paint on it, and the volume knob has been turned round with paint-covered fingers. Even if they let me have it now, (I don't want it anymore, it's been violated) it would take me an age to get the paint out of all the little dipples in the top, and it will never look as nice as it did before. It's ruined.

The fact that the manager doesn't care about it doesn't bother me much, but what really gets up my nose is that I've asked her for it time and again and she's said no every time, only to allow it to be mis-treated in this way afterwards. In doing this, she's insulted me. You'd be shocked if you knew how I felt right now.

I could imagine I would be upset myself, If they weren't doing anything with it they should of sold it to you but something like that happened to me, the boombox I was after was minty Fisher when I saw it in a Barbershop I kept asking them how much for much or if they wanted a newer one and they would say no. One time I came across the barbershop and they were painting it and at the same time they put paint specs all over, I was I told the store owner (I was after this radio and ya put paint all over it) You want to know what he said (take it is trash anyway). I started cleaning it and wipping the paint off it, When I got through with it it was in minty condition. You should ask the Lady if she wants the radio b/c you need something like this for your garage. You never know she would hand it to you. Good Luck man

Thanks for the post, L LOPEZ. I don't really want the box now. I don't really like having boxes which have been mistreated deliberately. I don't think I could get it minty again anyway. It's "too far gone". But it *%$/*ing wasn't before!! That's what annoys me the most about these numbskulls. Glad to hear you got your Fisher and managed to get it minty again. Was it one of the big'uns, PH-480, PH-492?

That sucks retro, sorry to hear.
I never really understand why people hang on to something like this when they could obviously sell it to someone who wants it, instead they turn around and treat it like it's throw away garbage.

This calls for a new organization - PETB - People for the Ethical Treatment of Boomboxes!

quote:

Originally posted by MasterBlaster84:
I never really understand why people hang on to something like this when they could obviously sell it to someone who wants it, instead they turn around and treat it like it's throw away garbage.

Me neither. Maybe they get a kick out of watching people stew because they have what you want, and they have the power to keep it from you. Some people are weird and nasty like that for reasons unknown. They then make it worse by damaging whatever it is, which they can also do because it's theirs, knowing full well it'll p*ss you off even more because you wanted to clean it up and enjoy it. They're nothing but nasty, childish, mindless idiots.

Sory to read this RA what a PITA but if it was me i would still get the box if you realy liked it beforehand, imagine how you would feel after the complete restoration lad, its very gratifuying to restore a box at least for me it is. I bought a pioneer 909 a few months back changed the belts etc but while doing this i have shorted the preamp out somehow, anyway the box has been sitting around in peices for the last to months, i couldn't be bothered with it till yesterday, now she is all back togeather and im taking her in for repair tomorrow, i cant wait till she is done.

So i say get the boombox mate if you can, paint is quite easy to remove and when she is done you will apreciate her more than before.

quote:

Originally posted by appleknocker:
This calls for a new organization - PETB - People for the Ethical Treatment of Boomboxes!

PETOBOOM

It was a PH-460.

I dont advocate stealing... as its against the law of Man and God.

However... what if you ran in with a fist full of pounds, threw them at her... and ran out with the box?

Better yet, go to Tesco or where ever you get cheap new boomboxes, take it in there so she has something to listen too... and run out the door with your prize!

Its not really stealing if you do it that way is it?!

i can relate bro,sucks big time

Perhaps the brain she was waitting doesn't arrive on time . First look clever from she not to sell the BOX, but ruinning it is very stupid.
Some people think that BBXS are "art deco, retro things" waitting for the crazy (stupid and FAR from creative) "touch" like paint in the turner window ...

This may be obvious, but hey if you still get your hands on the piece, don't let some paint ruin it. What i've done with a couple of my pieces which have been violated with paint is that i've splashed some "thinner" on the paint stains, and violá they dissapear.

I've noticed that original paint practically is resistant to paint-thinner to some extent, but paint that has been splashed on after dissapears without a trace.

here ya go:

toshiba#-rt6066 IBBN 7-03877



aka:

kingspoint-unkn3 IBBN 7-07121

That's the one, TPR. Thanks for the pic. BTW the pic does it no justice. It looks dull in the pic, but rather smooth in real life. I love the big monsters obviously, but have a weakness for these lower-end cheaper black boxes, especially ones with special features like a graphic equalizer, like this one has. I also have a bit of a weekness for ones which look like the Toshiba (1-piece boxes which are 3-piece look-a-likes). I'm not really a fan of real 3 pieces. I prefer the speakers to be integrated.

And thanks for all your replies , it seems a lot of you think the same way as myself regarding subjects such as this.

quote:

Originally posted by asdexander:
This may be obvious, but hey if you still get your hands on the piece, don't let some paint ruin it. What i've done with a couple of my pieces which have been violated with paint is that i've splashed some "thinner" on the paint stains, and violá they dissapear.

I've noticed that original paint practically is resistant to paint-thinner to some extent, but paint that has been splashed on after dissapears without a trace.

Ah, that's nice to know. Thanks for the tip. This box is just black plastic and has no paint on it to accidentally rub away. A bonus! But doesn't thinners ruin plastic finishes? I would be very hesitant before putting thinners on shiny plastic parts like the tuner window. Can anyone shed some further light?

After reading some of your posts (especially rimmer36's), I may still go there again and ask to speak to the manager. I do want this box and if, like rimmer said, I do manage to clean it up as good as it was before, I will appreciate it more. I'm gonna go for that box!

Most likely the decorators were using latex paint and thinners would do no good. Just a soft cloth and lots of warm water should be all you need to remove the paint. And time. With some luck the box was dusty before the paint (drywall dust perhaps or just regular dust) and the paint won't stick very well. On the odd chance that they used oil-based paints use mineral spirits (the odorless type) to remove the paint. It is also usefull on sticky tape residue. Do NOT use lacquer thinner. That will probably attack the plastic. So when you go to the store ask for "odorless mineral spirits" and you should be fine. Be very carefull however as depending on the original printing on the box even mineral spirits might take off the screen printing. But like I said, it is most likely latex paint anyway. Probably about 95% chance in fact...

That box needs to be saved RA give it a shot this is the time. I know for sure the store owner will give it to you. Believe me you can get her back to her previous condition. I don't think removing paint specs is that hard.

quote:

Originally posted by 71spud:
Most likely the decorators were using latex paint and thinners would do no good. Just a soft cloth and lots of warm water should be all you need to remove the paint. And time. With some luck the box was dusty before the paint (drywall dust perhaps or just regular dust) and the paint won't stick very well. On the odd chance that they used oil-based paints use mineral spirits (the odorless type) to remove the paint. It is also usefull on sticky tape residue. Do NOT use lacquer thinner. That will probably attack the plastic. So when you go to the store ask for "odorless mineral spirits" and you should be fine. Be very carefull however as depending on the original printing on the box even mineral spirits might take off the screen printing. But like I said, it is most likely latex paint anyway. Probably about 95% chance in fact...

Now there's some useful pieces of advice. I'll keep that in mind for next time. Thanks!