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Topic: safe cleaning of old vinyl on amps |
Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Posted 2 Jul 2009 11:31 pm |
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I have an old 61 Vibrasonic (brown) which is a bit dusty and dirty on the outside
I am thinking of giving the 48 year old vinyl a bit of a gentle clean
what would you use to do this. Soap and warm water? |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 2 Jul 2009 11:50 pm
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| Sounds right. Thats what I used on my 66 Bandmaster. A good thick sponge that wont break up and/or a soft plastic or nylon bristle brush work well. Careful not to get water where it shouldnt be and towel dry after. If you really want it to look new get some vinyl protecting polish. |
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Jamie Danter
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Posted 3 Jul 2009 2:02 am
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Jeremy,
I like using cream hand cleaner; GoJo, Goop, Permatex, Worx/SnoWonder.
Jamie
Last edited by Jamie Danter on 5 Jul 2009 2:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2009 6:32 am
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| Murphy's Oil Soap in the spray bottle works great. |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Posted 4 Jul 2009 7:51 pm
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Thanks for your suggestions
Now that I have a digital camera, I might post some before and after pics! stay tuned .... |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2009 6:48 am
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Just got in from my shop five minutes ago where I finished up a '73 Deluxe Reverb. That included cleaning the exterior Tolex.
I have worked on a lot of Fender amps and for cleaning their Vinyl/Tolex (not tweed) I find the best way is to:
- Remove the electronics for obvious reasons
- Remove the speaker, baffleboard (if removable), and all hardware.
- You end up with the cabinet only.
- Put a layer of the solution on the vinyl and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
- Take an old toothbrush and thoroughly scour the vinyl. You can't hurt it.
- Wipe off the solution
- Sponge a thin rinse of clean, warm water on it and wipe off with a clean cloth.
- Reglue and clamp the vinyl edges that have come loose due to age or use.
- Apply a coat of Armor-All, preferably the low-luster kind.
- Reassemble.
Take your time. Do not use so much solution or water such that it drips off the Tolex to the inside of the cabinet. All original Tolex was put on with a water-based adhesive and giving the entire cabinet a bath will cause the Tolex to come off in sheets. However, applying a water-based solution on TOP of the vinyl won't affect the original glue unless there are holes in the vinyl for it to leak below.
A thorough and detailed cleaning does wonders for the look and even the value of an amp. A partial or poorly-detailed cleaning just means that you or a future owner will have to redo it. |
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Posted 5 Jul 2009 5:37 pm
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| Eric Philippsen wrote: |
| - Put a layer of the solution on the vinyl and allow it to sit for a few minutes. |
Thanks, Eric. Is that ANY solution, or your secret recipe?  |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2009 5:54 pm
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| Warm, soapy water works. Sometimes I use an all-purpose spray cleaner for ease of application before scrubbing with a toothbrush. Have plenty of clean rags available and, again, take your time. Average time for me on, say, a Fender combo from start of cleaning the cabinet to finish is about 2-3 hours, but I'm never in a hurry. |
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Posted 5 Jul 2009 7:30 pm
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| thanks, Eric |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 6 Jul 2009 7:08 am
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I generally don't like Armor-all. I found that it made my old Fender tolex a little sticky. I switched over to a 50/50 solution of Aerospace 303 and water. This seems to be better, but I need more time to be sure. I found out about this product from auto detail guys doing dashboards of german cars.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 6 Jul 2009 7:32 am
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| Tom's point is well taken. That is, there are those who do not like Armor-All on musical items. I limit my usage of it to exterior vinyl/Tolex on amps. It does protect the material and after many years and more than a few "black boxes with knobs" (and brown ones, too) I have never had it harm anything. Generally, after a month or so, the initial application's gloss fades to a low-lustre that I like best. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 6 Jul 2009 9:15 am
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| If you don't like the high gloss, spray one side at a time, and then wipe with a slightly damp washcloth. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 6 Jul 2009 2:47 pm
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They also make a low-sheen version. Works great and you don't have the hassle.
_________________
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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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 6 Jul 2009 2:49 pm
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| Yeah, I know Jim. But I learned that trick when there was no low sheen version available. |
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