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Topic: Cleaning amp tolex |
Alan Rudd
From:
Ardmore, Oklahoma
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Posted 12 Feb 2008 7:20 pm |
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| Hey, guys! What's the best thing for cleaning the tolex on an amp? |
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Russ Little
From:
Hosston,Louisiana, USA
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 12 Feb 2008 9:25 pm
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| The spray automotive vinyl cleaner works very well, also. |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 12 Feb 2008 9:29 pm
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| Whatever you do, do NOT used Armour All. You get that silicone mess on your amp and you will always have it on your hands everytime you touch your amp. Try to hold on to a bar with that crap on your fingers!! |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 12 Feb 2008 10:20 pm
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OTOH, I've used Armor-All for years and have had zero problems with residue. The satin-finish looks better on amp tolex, conditions the plastic by restoring some of the plasticizers, and does a good cleaning job (I'll use lighter fluid on gunky stuff first). Many of the other cleaners *remove* plasticizers - including all soap-type or ammonia-based cleaners - and will stiffen and eventually ruin tolex.
If you use the Armor-All, rub it in well and let it sit overnight (you don't need to saturate it, and you don't take it out to a gig 15 minutes after applying the stuff) it works fine.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Alan Rudd
From:
Ardmore, Oklahoma
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 5:28 am
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| Thanks for the help, guys! I knew I could count on you. Well, better get her cleaned up! |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 5:33 am
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A vintage amp guy I know says that STP "Son of a Gun" works best. He said not to use Armor All and the others, but the STP " Son of a Gun" does just the right thing. You may want to wash it first using a fingernail brush (Auto Zone has them cheap) and soapy water and a sponge. That'll get the dirt out of the grooves. Then give it the STP. Looks like new, not too slimy or shiny.
Brad |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 7:54 am
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I use Formula 409 and an old toothbrush.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
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Alan Rudd
From:
Ardmore, Oklahoma
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 8:00 am
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| Alright, guys! Lots of great suggestions. I have a few of these items lying around the house here somewhere. |
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Brett Crisp
From:
NC
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 8:10 pm
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| ive always used furniture polish. Not the fancy smell good kinds, just regular Pledge or something like that. |
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Bob Bartoli
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 9:12 pm Cleaner
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| SIMPLE GREEN and a brush and paper towels.......does a woderful job, watch the grill if it's light Fender type color.... |
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ray qualls
From:
Baxter Springs, Kansas (deceased)
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Posted 14 Feb 2008 5:06 am
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Alan, get you a can of tire foam. You can spray your entire amp with it and wipe it off. Been using it a long time and it shines like a diamond in a goats butt! Ray
_________________
Ray Qualls
Member(KSGA)
Inducted into KSGA
Steel Guitar Hall of Fame 2008 |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2008 5:38 am
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As for speaker baffles and grillcloth, I've had great luck just (removing them first and taking the speaker off) hosing them down with Formula 409, and then washing it off in the shower. It's amazing, like new. Never scrub grillcloth or the fibers will get moved around and will never look the same again. Once the wood dries, you can re-install it.
Brad |
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Alan Rudd
From:
Ardmore, Oklahoma
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Posted 14 Feb 2008 8:30 pm
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| So, Ray, like a diamond in a goat's butt, you say! Sounds like something my dad said a time or two. Sounds like it could do the trick! |
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Casey Lowmiller
From:
Kansas
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Posted 14 Feb 2008 8:45 pm
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I've always used the cheap imitation Window cleaner & the STP Son of a Gun. I just buy the Wal-Mart version on Windex. It seems to work alright. Then I wait for that to dry & I use the STP to make it shine.
It's amazing how fancy & new you can make an amp look. Even if it is brand new, STP it and make it shine. People will ask you what happened to your old amp like that shiney new one you got. When you tell them it's the same one...they probably won't believe you.
Casey
_________________
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan" |
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Rick Johnson
From:
Wheelwright, Ky USA
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Larry Hamilton
From:
Amarillo,Tx
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Posted 15 Feb 2008 1:29 pm
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Over the years I have used everything listed here and then some I have forgot and they ALL work. I think that some kind of a light brush once in a while sure helps cean it up. I like to finish up with one of the Armor All's and wipe it off the next day. Just my input. Thanks.
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Keep pickin', Larry |
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Alan Rudd
From:
Ardmore, Oklahoma
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Posted 15 Feb 2008 5:55 pm
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| Wow! I didn't know there was such a wealth of products I could use out there, and all this great advice! You guys are the greatest! Thanks! How's it going, Larry! I saw a picture of Smiley Weaver the other day. He's looks about as good as ever. He quit dying his hair! |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 15 Feb 2008 9:17 pm
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| Throw it in the river and wash it off with the garden hose. If that doesn't work I usually use a blow torch. |
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Paul Norman
From:
Washington, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2008 5:44 am
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Kevin,
You need to move to N.C. |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 16 Feb 2008 6:04 am
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| Makes a nice scene outside of my double wide after dinner. |
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Alan Rudd
From:
Ardmore, Oklahoma
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Posted 16 Feb 2008 10:22 am
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| Somebody close this, hurry! |
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