dirty amp

Steel guitar amplifiers, effects, etc.

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Billy Henderson
Posts: 1383
Joined: 17 Dec 2000 1:01 am
Location: Portland, AR, USA
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dirty amp

Post by Billy Henderson »

How do I clean the tolex on my amps? They are not too bad but they do have dust on them.
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Erv Niehaus
Posts: 26797
Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
Location: Litchfield, MN, USA

Post by Erv Niehaus »

ArmorAll
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Bill A. Moore
Posts: 1310
Joined: 2 Jul 2007 3:17 pm
Location: Silver City, New Mexico, USA

Post by Bill A. Moore »

Clean water, and a brush, use sponge after brushing the dirt out of the crevices, and change water often. After drying, use some type of protectant, (I use a Turtle Wax product), to give it a shine.
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Gary Cosden
Posts: 855
Joined: 23 Aug 2007 4:04 pm
Location: Florida, USA

Post by Gary Cosden »

I cleaned up my 1982 NV 400 when the chassis was off to Peavey for repair. I used Dawn and a scrubbing brush and hosed it off and then towel dried it. Next day I felt it looked so much like new that Armor All would have made it look worse. After a few years it's still looking almost like new. Armor All looks fake and shiny in my IMHO.
William Hughes
Posts: 27
Joined: 27 May 2012 4:25 pm
Location: Georgia, USA

Best Tolex Cleaner

Post by William Hughes »

Tuff Stuff cleaner and a toothbrush
Bill Hatcher
Posts: 7252
Joined: 6 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: Atlanta Ga. USA

Post by Bill Hatcher »

NO ARMOUR ALL!~!!!!! thats a mess and when you touch it you cant hold a pic or a bar for the slick crap on your fingers. i wont even buy a used fender amp with that junk on it. yuk!!!
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Lane Gray
Posts: 13551
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Post by Lane Gray »

Those newish (about a year or so on the market) "magic dirt erasers" work wonders.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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John Billings
Posts: 9344
Joined: 11 Jul 2002 12:01 am
Location: Ohio, USA

Post by John Billings »

I use a brush cuz of the Tolex texture, and lots of paper towels. To finish it off I use Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant, "Non-greasy formula cleans, shines & protects." Much nicer than Armor All!
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps
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Jack Hanson
Posts: 5024
Joined: 19 Jun 2012 3:42 pm
Location: San Luis Valley, USA

Post by Jack Hanson »

I have a book by Texas tube amp guru Gerald Weber in which he recommends pulling the chassis, reverb tank, etc. out of the cabinet and bringing it to a high pressure car wash for a good spray and rinse and then letting the cab sit outside in direct sunlight to dry for however long it takes.

Have never tried this myself, but Mr. Weber likely knows of what he speaks.
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John Billings
Posts: 9344
Joined: 11 Jul 2002 12:01 am
Location: Ohio, USA

Post by John Billings »

Weber's method presents one problem for me. I don't want to get the wood and glue joints wet. His method may be quick, and most times effective, but, as a wood worker, I have a real problem with getting wood wet.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps
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chris ivey
Posts: 12703
Joined: 8 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: california (deceased)

Post by chris ivey »

frankly, armour all works great for a quick wipe to clean up an amp or a dashboard.
i actually like funky looking amps that get used.

it will make your motorcycle seat slippery, though.
Donny Hinson
Posts: 21192
Joined: 16 Feb 1999 1:01 am
Location: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Post by Donny Hinson »

Scrub brush and water with a little detergent or soap in it. In a pinch, you can also use Windex. I like to finish dry with a turkish towel, as it gets into the crevices better than paper towels.

Bill Hatcher's right, save the Armor-All stuff for shining your tires! :lol:
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John Billings
Posts: 9344
Joined: 11 Jul 2002 12:01 am
Location: Ohio, USA

Post by John Billings »

Be careful if you use Windex. If there's a scratch with wood showing, the Windex will dye the wood blue. Windex does have a new product that uses Vinegar instead ofAmmonia, and it's clear. Also NEVER use anything that contains Ammonia on anything Aluminum.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps
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Joe Naylor
Posts: 2711
Joined: 19 Jan 2004 1:01 am
Location: Avondale, Arizona, USA

my idea

Post by Joe Naylor »

NO ARMOUR ALL! for me either. Just use vinyl cleaner you get at Ace, auto parts store, etc and a paper towel

cleans it right up and does not leave an oily mess

Keep it easy tolex is not magic it is just vinyl

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP
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