Here are some hints and tips from contributors to the list that may help you in restoring, and the general running of your jukebox:
Plastics
In my too many hours of restoring his four jukeboxes Jim has discovered several simple procedures that add life and durability to aged parts. One area of concern is the plastics. If the plastics are dull, add a drop of good quality dish washing liquid into a pint of warm water and gently wash the parts. After hand drying with a soft cloth, spray with two coats of Krylon clear. This will seal the plastics, add a pleasant shine, and protect the surface.
Mains Wiring
Before plugging in any unrestored jukebox for the first time it is essential to carry out a few safety checks. Check all the wiring (particularly on 50's AMI's) - you may find some bare wires. Check all the fuses - you may find they are the wrong amperage (or even silver paper!) If the mains cable is only two core then fit three core and ensure the jukebox is earthed back to the plug. Once you've plugged it in be aware of any bad or burning smells, particularly near transformers. It may only be 110 volts, but it can still kill, and it can still start a fire.
Title Strips
Most people that I have come into contact with do not use commercial Title Strip software (although there are some very good ones about). Instead, if you own a computer (which is fairly probable if you are reading this) and a reasonable printer you can easily make consistant professional looking titles of your own. Here (in a zipped file) is an example of a rather neat little mail merge document that Graham Nelmes created for Microsoft Word that will do just that for you. I use a slightly altered version of this (I have changed the colours on it to match my jukebox) for all my title strips.
Turntable Finish
If your turntable has a flocked edge and it's looking a bit tired and grubby try applying some suede shoe dye. It makes a world of difference.
Paint Stripping
If you are trying to strip paint from plastic parts on you jukebox, use hydraulic brake fluid, it won't damage the plastic unlike other solvents. (If you have any doubts about a solvent, always test it on a small concealed area of the plastic first).
Jukebox Storage
If you have a jukebox with an idler wheel mechanism (normally AMi's and Rockola's) and don't intend playing it for some time, then tie back the idler wheel from the turntable shaft . If you don't you could end up with a dimple in the idler wheel which will cause uneven play.
Rowe-Ami search unit
Just a quick tip for those people with Rowe-Ami 1100 mechs. If the search unit belt is missing or broken, engineers used to use Guinness O ring seals that were on the Guinness spares boards in most pub cellars.
Cannot Make a Selection?
Jukeboxes with a record magazine/carousel mechanism usually have a scan facility operated by some type of toggle switch. This revolves the magazine allowing records to be changed. The switch disables normal operation and therefore it must be put back into the 'run' or 'play' position after use. Some jukeboxes automatically do this but some don't. So if any time your jukebox will not allow selections but everything else looks normal don't forget to check the most obvious cause first - that switch may have inadvertently been left in 'scan' mode.
Touch-up Paint
Sainsburys Homebase 'Deep Tone' vinyl silk emulsion colour 'Rouge' is an almost perfect colour for retouching AMi H/I pink plastic bits that have been chipped/scratched. A colour match pot can be bought for the bargain price of only 85p. (I have absolutely no connection with Sainsburys Homebase!!)
Perspex Windows?
If you have perspex windows on your jukebox and want to bring them up like new try spraying on some car dashboard cleaner (such as Back To Black) and polishing off with a soft cloth. You'll be amazed at the difference it can make to perspex which is showing signs of age. If your perspex is scratched don't despair... try rubbing a little metal polish on it to take out the scratch marks or abrasions, polish it off and then apply the Back To Black. I promise you the scratches will disappear and it will come up like new.
Also, John Lyon tells us:One trick that I use on aircraft canopies, acetate or perspex is CLEAR floor polish. I have found that abrasives will get rid of the scratches but leave a buff area. Try the johnsons clear on a test area and tell me what you think. (i do not work for johnsons)
Plugs in AMi I Trim
If you are missing the plug over the record counter for the trim on an AMi model I (and they are quite often missing) then the plugs that are used for blanking off tap holes in stainless steel sinks are about the right size and colouring.
If you have any hints and tips that may be useful to other jukebox owners then please mail me with full details.