What do you use to restore old tolex on amps.

[octagon]

What would you use to clean and restore the covering on an old amp?Would you use something like one of those products for vinyl roofs that you find at auto parts stores?

[jingle_jangle]

Tools and materials:

Fingernail-type scrub brush (don't use steel wool or scotchbrite!)
Westley's Bleche-Wite in spray bottle (TRAK Auto)
Meguiar's vinyl top treatment or Mother's Back To Black (TRAK Auto)
Sponge or clean rag
Rubber gloves
Bucket with clean water
Safety glasses or goggles are a good idea, too!

Do this outside or in your garage, basement, etc. Put newspapers down and don't inhale the vapors from the Westley's.

Spray lots of Westley's onto the Tolex, until it's thoroughly wet, and let it sit for ten minutes or so. After awhile, you will see all the junk that was stuck in the grain of the Tolex come floating to the surface. Scrub vigorously with the brush. Wear rubber gloves--Westley's burns the skin, eyes, and lungs. Wait another 5, then begin to wipe away the mess. You can dip the brush into the clean water, whatever, as long as you have completely removed the Westley's. Wipe more or less dry. Next, apply lots of the vinyl treatment or Back To Black, using a clean rag. You can work this stuff into the grain with the brush, which should also be more or less dry and clean of Westley's. Wipe off excess, and buff, turning the cloth until it's clean and the Tolex looks like new.

If it's a brown Tolex or cream Tolex cover, use a vinyl conditioner...Back To Black is for black Tolex only.

[octagon]

Ok,thanks alot Paul!

[paologregorio]

Another handy and timely tip; I have an old `68 Ampeg Reverborocket on indefinite loan from a friend. I just had the amp checked out by a tech, and wanted to clean it up a bit-something beyond wiping it down and vacuuming the dust out of the cabinet. Thanks for the tip Paul W!

[jps]

For a quicky clean you use a toothbrush and Windex®.

[ryan.jones]

did they not do that in my big fat greek wedding ?

[cjj]

Put some Windex on it - it's good for everything!

[ryan.jones]

Put some Windex on it - it's good for everything!

[jingle_jangle]

My wife is the HR Manager for an industrial site cleaning company. They supposedly use all "Green" products and are "Green" ceritifed, whatever that means.

We contract two of their employees to clean both our house and my studio/workshop. These ladies know all the tricks. When there was a grease spot on our plush wall to wall (cut-pile synthetic in a pale green-gray color), I tried the usual carpet cleaning tricks and products.

Ermalinda came along with her ever-handy bottle of Windex, and within a couple of minutes, the spot was gone, completely. She says she uses it on all sorts of tough stains.

[johnallg]

My wife is the HR Manager for an industrial site cleaning company. They supposedly use all "Green" products and are "Green" ceritifed, whatever that means.

We contract two of their employees to clean both our house and my studio/workshop. These ladies know all the tricks. When there was a grease spot on our plush wall to wall (cut-pile synthetic in a pale green-gray color), I tried the usual carpet cleaning tricks and products.

Ermalinda came along with her ever-handy bottle of Windex, and within a couple of minutes, the spot was gone, completely. She says she uses it on all sorts of tough stains.

ROFL! I guess that proves it, the Greeks were right all along!

It is a cute movie.......

[berth]

For a moment I was happy with the subject of this topic. My B-115 is technically restored and I am going to get it home next friday. But the Tolex is beyond repair I think. Replacing is the only way to get it in good shape probably. Any Europeans out here for good ideas for what to replace it with? So far the German Tube amp Doctor seems to be the online place in Europe for replacment tolex.

[octagon]

I got this amp tonite($85 BIN on Ebay).Will Windex take the signature off the back?What would you use to clean up the grill cloth?

[Mossman]

I find that Armor-all really brings dirty, dried-out tolex back to life.. I use it on my amps and cases with great results.

[octagon]

I find that Armor-all really brings dirty, dried-out tolex back to life.. I use it on my amps and cases with great results.

Ok,thanks for the help.

[paologregorio]

I think I've used carpet cleaner on grille cloth before. You'll want to remove the speaker first just to be safe. As for the paint on the tolex, I've taken the risk of using mineral spirits, and even lacquer thinner to clean paint off tolex, but be careful; some tolex material will melt with lacquer thinner. If you're going to try anything, I'd say try mineral spirits first, and try it in an inconspicuous spot.