Spinning New Life on a Magnavox Record Console

Day 12 of the Twelve DIYs of Christmas 2025

There are many reasons why I know that my husband loves me. One of those reasons is that when I ask him something like, "I was just on Facebook Marketplace and found a free piece of furniture that weighs 300 pounds, so will you please go with me to some random stranger's shed to pick it up and let me store it in our garage for four months?" he answers with "yes."


At least, this is what happened this past year when I found a vintage 1970's Magnavox Record Console. It was a frigidly cold day we picked it up, and let me tell you, it was a beast carrying and lifting it into our van. True to form, it also stayed in our garage, untouched, for several months until it warmed up enough for me to work on it.

The first steps, essentially, involved demolition. None of the electronics worked, so I pulled out the record player, eight track, radio, speakers, and all wires. After this initial gutting, I removed the external panels so I could strip away the old fabric that had covered the speaker openings. While dirty, this process felt productive.



The next leg of restoration involved giving every inch of the frame a thorough cleaning, which set a good foundation for the new finish.


I used Iron Ore, a deep charcoal paint, and covered the entire piece with two good coats before carefully sealing it with a protective coat of polycrylic for durability.



The next step was to replace the old fabric with new fabric, which I cut from a set of gray curtains that I picked up at Goodwill for $3 to fit each panel, using a staple gun to secure tightly to prevent any wrinkles. After this, I reassembled the console by reattaching the panels and securing the sliding top cover.


With the restoration complete, the final step was staging. We carried the console inside (lighter after the electronics were removed, but still a beast!), and I took a series of photos to show off various angles and the updated finish. I posted it on Facebook Marketplace, and within one hour I sold it for $150. Later that evening, a dad and his teenage son picked it up so the son could add his own sound equipment and store his growing vinyl collections.





This was such a fun project with a great before-after transformation! I especially love that the console has a new life in a brand new home.

Thanks so much for joining me through the Twelve DIYs of Christmas! I had a great time revisiting projects, and I hope you did, too. Here's an archive of all this year's projects — drop me a comment if you have a favorite!

May your DIYs be merry and bright!
Twelve DIYs of Christmas 2025

Day 12: You are Here: Spinning New Life on a Magnavox Record Console


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