'Amen' to 'No Phenoseal!'

I second the opinion that only original materials should be used,
such as hot glue, shellac, leather, etc., with no new-age 'poly this'
or 'poly that'.  I have been restoring a Wurlitzer stack that was done
with new valves covered with Phenoseal.  The valves are less than five
years old and have failed.  Try to take them apart and it is very,
very time consuming.

_No_ solvent that I can find will touch the Phenoseal.  Try to take
apart a standard valve that someone has used Phenoseal to seal the
valve plates and it is a pain.  You think your work is going to last
and it is simply not, because the leather you buy today is going to
develop that sticky green growth.

What happens if you try to seal the channels in the wood with Phenoseal
and it blocks the air passage with dust or something else?  You can't
just wash it out with a solvent.  Phenoseal stays tacky for a long
time, collecting dust.  Shellac dries (if fresh) and can be removed.

Don Teach