Removing black paint from a (Gibson) tweed amp

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 20 Jun 2008 12:38 am

Anyone have experience or advice with a similar project? I went to the local Ace hardware place and bought mineral spirits (because they call it >Premium< paint thinner), some rubber gloves and heavy-duty paper-towel "rags". A tentative trial run on a small spot suggests this will require lots of hours, lots of hard rubbing and/or something more abrasive. The paint comes up but not completely. It sticks pretty tenaciously in the low channels of the weave of the tweed. I have no idea what kind of paint was used in the perpetration of this travesty.

This is a cabinet from the early 60s? Bass Amp (1-12") that has the lift-out chassis. (I just got a clean complete version of this and would like to get the two boxes looking more similar to each other.) It's about the size of a Deluxe but taller and squarer and therefore promises to be no small amount of work.

As I say, any advice and accounts of experience with such a project are most welcome.

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 20 Jun 2008 5:52 am

I got all the black paint off this old '57 Fender tweed Deluxe.
Only thing is I had to remove the tweed to do it

Once the paint soaks into the fibers, it's near impossible to get it out. Besides that, the paint remover will also remove the lacquer that originally covered the tweed.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 20 Jun 2008 7:12 am

Contact these guys:
http://www.vintage-amp.com/cbrestor.htm
Otherwise, here's a quote from Gerald Weber in his book about vintage amps:
http://tinyurl.com/6jvpah

I think you're going to have to end up recovering it, myself. Good luck!

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 20 Jun 2008 7:31 am

If the paint is not too thick, I would recommend the orange paint remover. Can't remember the name but it is pretty mild and, if not put on too thick or too long, should be able to loosen the black paint. Use a bristle brush to dislodge the black paint from the tweed and hope for the best. Usually the tweed has been lacquered so you should be able to get the black off, even though some of the original lacquer might come with it. You would then need to touch the lacquer up, using some color to age the look of the new lacquer.

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 20 Jun 2008 3:10 pm

Thanks for the replies. To clarify a bit: I won't remove the original tweed from this box; I'm going to try to do my best to clean it up in place. (Goober and Jethro ["New Rebel Workshop"?] have already done too many structural mods on the cabinet over the 45+ years before I got it.)

This is now just a converted speaker box (I guess G & J poached the electronics to power a subwoofer in the Studebaker pickup) with what is likely an unoriginal 12" so there's no justification in the world for spending hundreds for cosmetic surgery.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 20 Jun 2008 7:11 pm

I have had some success (nothing will get all of it) with the "duct tape" method - test it on a small area first.

IF the tweed was lacquered AND the paint is enamel and not epoxy fortified (or lacquer - which bleeds into itself)it may work.

Apply a strip o duct tape and use something like a chunk of styrofoam - hard but pliable - to rub it into the gaps. Then simply pull the tape off at a sharp angle - essentially back across itself. IF your test are results in to problems then go for it, being VERY careful at worn edges and corners. I've had it work well enough that I could come back with some thinned-down paint and touch up the remaining areas r work them painstakingly with a toothbrush.

It may take several passes over the amp, and chances are slim...but it's worth a try. If you can't get it off, I would definitely restore it though - a recovered damaged amp is worth more than a painted damaged amp.

Oh - and FWIW "mineral spirits" IS paint thinner with a higher price tag. It is also NOT a paint remover of any kind. If someone sold you that to remove paint, find another paint store for future purchases.

Josh Engle · Post by **Josh Engle** » 20 Jun 2008 9:27 pm

I'm not sure how smooth feeling these tweed amps were, but if they were before it was painted, I would try sanding it GENTLY with a sanding block with 400 or higher. After sanding off the paint just give it a coat of a brushing lacquer or rattle can lacquer, and buff with steal wool. I think any stripper would soften the lacquer underneath. Lacquer is one of the easiest things to chemically strip. Lacquer also melts into itself as one layer, so damage to that would probably mean damage to the tweed. If these amps were rough and didn't have much lacquer on them, I don't think much will work. The paint would just soak into the rough areas. Good Luck! Let us know how it turns out.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 21 Jun 2008 11:32 am

I'm not sure how smooth feeling these tweed amps were,

Tweed is not smooth at all, I'd think one would know something about the surface before giving advice, and sanding is poor advice even on a SMOOTH surface - there is no way to sand consistently to remove a single or multiple coats of paint without sanding into the substrate (in this case tweed). You'd end up spot-staining and need superb craftsmanship ability to detail-out the finish consistently.

I guess I don't quite comprehend advising any procedure when you don't know anything about the surface underneath. If you don't know what tweed is (which I find a bit surprising on a guitar-related forum), how can you possibly recommend a method to remove anything from it? If someone misses the semi-disclaimer "I'm not sure..." and starts sanding, the tweed is toast.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 21 Jun 2008 4:37 pm

I have an old Fender amp cab that is tweed. The previous owner painted it black. Many of them were done like that when Fender came out with black tolex amps.

I just took a spoon and started scraping. I have removed quite a bit of the black paint.

If you use a liquid paint remover, the black mess will just soak into the tweed.

Josh Engle · Post by **Josh Engle** » 22 Jun 2008 1:27 am

Sorry Jim.
I just haven't felt a Gibson tweed up close. I've seen several tweed amps, most being rough, although, I have seen some older fenders that actually felt smooth and had a satiny luster to them. Maybe someone added more lacquer and hand rubbed them.
My advice was only if the amp was smooth, and with a sanding block with high enough grit,so the person could slowly see if it was working. If there was enough lacquer to make it smooth, there would probably be enough between the paint and fabric, and if you barely sanded into that, a fresh coat of lacquer would finish the job.

I am a wood finisher by trade. Everything from antique restoration,cabinetry, to custom instrument finishes.
I'm no expert at stripping paint off fabric.

I think we'd all agree.....Try the gentlest methods first, and then go from there, always using caution, and trying new techniques in small, hidden areas.

By the way, Jim, I thought you had a great idea, and I always enjoy reading your posts.
Respectfully Submitted.

Jim Mitchell · Post by **Jim Mitchell** » 22 Jun 2008 7:04 am

I would use NAPTHA hardware stores carry it
NAPTHA is cleaning fluid will not harm the tweed
It will not dissolve plastic

MY SITE
http://www.geocities.com/insp/SUPRO6420.html