Spray paint on Tolex - How do I get it off?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:48 am

Silicone would not surprise me...whatever the polymer is, it wreaks havoc on spray paint work.

Armor-All, WD-40, and any types of silicones are forbidden anywhere in the vicinity of my spray booths. We get outside replacement air from 30' above ground. Still, if anybody has "forgotten" or even comes in with a drop of this type of material on their hands or clothing, we will see "fisheyes" in paint for some time afterward..

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:56 am

Finely Tuned and Intonated Rickenbacker? No......

qmoder · Post by **qmoder** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:55 pm

I would not use armour all at all. It dries out the tolex and eventually cracks it.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:01 pm

I've heard this for years, but have yet to see proof with my own eyes. Is this another Scientology rumor?

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:42 pm

Did we ever get a result how effective the paint removal was on the case Paul? I have an old Gretsch Nashville Guitar that I bought a long time ago and the previous owner must have thought it would be cool to paint the case silver and then lacquer it. (Why would you do that!!!!)

On seeing this thread I've wondered whether to try and tackle the entire case, using the above method, or leave it as is for fear that it may make the case appear even worse, if for example the silver paint had stained the tolex.

I would be very interested in your comments on this Paul.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:12 am

Silver paint cannot stain Tolex, as the silver particles can't penetrate the vinyl.

Getting the paint off could prove a challenge. The aforementioned Castrol Purple or Simple Green might be your best bet.

When most people paint something silver, they use a cheap silver enamel, with no clear in the formula. This means that the silver pigment lies on the surface with no protection, just waiting to be cleaned off. The two products mentioned above would be my first choice. You must spray and let it sit for an hour or more, then wipe with a clean damp cloth. There will still be silver in the grain of the vinyl, and a nice fingernail brush and some more of the liquid will loosen it up. Again, use a damp cloth to remove the silver. You're looking at a Saturday morning project.

Sometimes people spray silver lacquer, which does have clear in the formula and the pigment will thus be protected. This is a tougher one; much tougher. Try the same stuff and see how it goes. Other than that, the solvents which would remove silver lacquer are the same that soften the vinyl. Once the plasticizers are taken out of the vinyl by solvents, it's only a matter of time before it starts cracking.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:18 am

My '01 4003 Firglo case came complete with a white spray painted case, and hand painted mushrooms.

Its still that way.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:43 am

Wait a minnit--your case came with a case?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:48 am

Whoops!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:53 am

No case for the case anymore?

I remember this mystery well-

it was the "Case of the Disappearing Case Case".

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:38 pm

LOL !

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:39 pm

I posted a reply about an hour ago to thank you for the information Paul - but it seems to be lost in cyber space. So if it eventually turns up you're not suffering from deja-vou.

Essentially, I said that because I didn't know precisely how this work of art was done and as the case had a couple of big scars through the tolex I didn't want to risk an outcome that may look worse than the cases current appearance.

So it's HI Ho Silver for the Gretsch.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:50 am

Going back to the original case (the case of the case in question!). I haven't actually tried any of the suggestions yet because I can't find any of the cleaners here in the UK, and last time that I was in the USA it was a flying visit with no time to shop!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:13 am

Peter, the Castrol Purple should be available. Last time I was in the UK I bought some--Tesco or an auto parts factor are your best bet.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:36 am

I'll look again...