Photographs of the 480 Series

[Ilikewater]

good idea. done.

[cjj]

Like!!!

[8mileshigher]

Hmmm ... another thread I've missed!

(There's a somewhat funny story related to the last two pictures. Note the gold 'drop cloth' with the black Perkin-Elmer name on it. I got that when one of the places I was working at was cleaning out a lab ... it wasn't clear why we even had this cloth, but rather than trash it I took it home thinking that I could use it for a drop cloth for painting, if needed. I was using it as a dust cover for an amp when I was taking pictures of my gear, so that's why it's in these shots (as well as others). Now, the other day I was watching some forensics/crime program, and they showed a picture of a gun recovered in connection to a crime ... and the gun was photographed lying on an identical gold/black Perkin-Elmer cloth as the background. It cracked me up! O.K., so it's funny only to me! )

Hmmmm... Gary, your 480 series Rics could possibly become secondarily involved in a murder mystry !!! You better come up with a better alibi than "found the drop cloth while cleaning up a lab"

[8mileshigher]

Jimmy -- your 480 R tailpiece avatar is nice !!!

[jps]

good idea. done.

[AlohaT]

[quote="Ilikewater"]Just wanted to add to the beauty with my own 481


"Ilikewater" the photos of your 481 made me smile first thing Saturday morning. I had to go and pick up my own 481. Thanks for posting them.

[Ilikewater]

she has the same effect on me. I'm glad you liked them.

[doctorwho]

Like!!!

+1! Looks great!

[Grey]

So I finally had some time today to set about work on the case for my guitar. I put on a movie and settled in with my tools..

Here's what I began with. 30 years of dirt, grime, and residue. I don't know what the previous owner put on and then tore off, but given that the leftover marks are all the same shape and size, i'm guessing they must have been tax stickers from shipping.



Here's what I had after an hour and a half. I had to go at it in layers, it was slow and tedious but worthwhile. I still need to give it another go, but it's almost there. Then I just have the other side.



I haven't decided if I will remove the stickers. There's a number of stickers on the other side as well, including a really old George Harrison 'Dark Horse Records' sticker that I want to save. Right now I am just cleaning the leftover grime.

[Grey]

Does anyone know of a cleaning agent specifically designed for this Tolex material? There's a layer of gunk/grime that I can't seem to remove.

[AlohaT]

I think a good product might be, Medi-Sol adhesive remover wipes. We use them for iv patch cleaning. They do not have harsh solvents or dyes, but you might want to try on a small section first. Below is a link for some info. Hope it works out.
http://www.botachtactical.com/ormewi.html

[Grey]

Hmmm ... another thread I've missed!

I wish we could get a group shot of your Walnut 481 and my 480 together.

Paul, did you ever tell us how you got your MG/BT 481? I've been growing more interested in them lately.

[IHeartRics]

Does anyone know of a cleaning agent specifically designed for this Tolex material? There's a layer of gunk/grime that I can't seem to remove.

Spike, it looks like dried out sticker adhesive. Is that right? I'd try one of those citrus cleaners first before using any solvent. Also, if you find a cleaner that softens up the adhesive a bit, try blotting it with masking tape. The old adhesive can anchor to the tape and pull it off the tolex. But I doubt you'll get rid of any of the staining and shade differenced the stickers caused.

[Grey]

Does anyone know of a cleaning agent specifically designed for this Tolex material? There's a layer of gunk/grime that I can't seem to remove.

Spike, it looks like dried out sticker adhesive. Is that right? I'd try one of those citrus cleaners first before using any solvent. Also, if you find a cleaner that softens up the adhesive a bit, try blotting it with masking tape. The old adhesive can anchor to the tape and pull it off the tolex. But I doubt you'll get rid of any of the staining and shade differenced the stickers caused.

I got it cleaned up pretty good, and removed most of the sticker residue. The bit that I can't get off looks like it's duct tape residue, like someone made letters using strips of tape.

Still, it's a big improvement.

[IHeartRics]

Does anyone know of a cleaning agent specifically designed for this Tolex material? There's a layer of gunk/grime that I can't seem to remove.

Spike, it looks like dried out sticker adhesive. Is that right? I'd try one of those citrus cleaners first before using any solvent. Also, if you find a cleaner that softens up the adhesive a bit, try blotting it with masking tape. The old adhesive can anchor to the tape and pull it off the tolex. But I doubt you'll get rid of any of the staining and shade differenced the stickers caused.

I got it cleaned up pretty good, and removed most of the sticker residue. The bit that I can't get off looks like it's duct tape residue, like someone made letters using strips of tape.

Still, it's a big improvement.

Duct tape adhesive can be pretty aggressive and made need a solvent to clean it up. If you go that route, be sure to test it on the tolex in a small area. But then again, if the tolex already looks bad in the stained area, whats the difference?
You can probably start with something simple like mineral spirits, paint thinner, or even nail polish remover that has acetone in it.