What do you use to restore old tolex on amps.

[jingle_jangle]

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?

All depends on what type of paint was used for the signature. Windex will not remove it unless it's a water-based paint (unlikely). Toluene is a good bet for some other paints, denatured alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) for others. Mineral spirits work on only one type of paint: silver enamel. I would not use lacquer thinner on Tolex; it dissolves the vinyl and changes the grain and gloss; in other words, damages it, possibly irrevocably. This also applies to urethane reducer, ethylene dichloride, and methylene chloride.

[octagon]

Thanks Paul.Maybe I should just change my name to Tommy Avorey?

[berth]

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?

The tolex on my b-115 is beyond cleaning. So when I get it back from the amp-repairperson (friday) I'm going to find replacement tolex and give it a try. There are some webpages on the net which give the idea that this is a pretty straightforward thing to do. So maybe this is also an alternative for cleaning.

[jingle_jangle]

Replacement of Tolex is an art. One tip: look carefully how the old Tolex was applied; where it butt-joints (a bad idea) and where it overlaps. A few good digital photos are good to assist in remembering.

Use water-soluble contact cement if you don't have a spray gun available to spray the glue. Rattle can glue, if you do use it, must be rated "high heat" or it will soon peel. The cabinet wood should be clean and free from glue lumps, dust, and oil.

Generally, top panel is done first, sides are wrapped from the bottom up and overlap the top panel at either edge about 1/2". Extra vinyl (about 2-3") is left around all edges so you can wrap the front and back. Last are any separate panels on front or back, which after covering are screwed back into place. Of course, grill cloth panel and chassis are removed before beginning. Speaker may be left in, depending upon amp's actual construction details.

[cjj]

Or, if you don't care if it looks original and just want a durable finish that's similar in appearance, find your local Linex dealer and have them spray it...

[berth]

Thanx for you advise Paul. here (click) are much pictures of someone who build his own amp including tolexing and here (click) is a written tolex tutorial. Hope these can help me as well. But first both my amps (my '63 Bassman was at the same amptech) will be played when I get them back!