cleaning case

[brian f]

Any ideas on what to use to clean an old case. Its a Guild case from the 70's. Maroon interior, very thin cotton flannel with not a lot of padding. just got it and it smells like the previous owner kept an ashtray in it. Some baking soda helped that some, but what do you all use to clean the outside of an old case like that?? just water on sponge?

 

[West R Lee]

On Tolex......Armourall. Make her slicker than greezed dog dung, but sure will restore it.

West

 

[brian f]

Tolex?? the black outer shell that most cases I see seem to be made of?

 

[West R Lee]

Yes, a tough thick vinyl.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolex

West

 

[brian f]

Thanks West.

The ArmourAll worked great!

Still a bit stinky inside, but I'm just gonna air it out for a while. Afraid to spray anything inside (febreeze, etc.) for fear that it will contain something that will iteract with the finish.

Brian

 

[JerryR]

On Tolex......Armourall. Make her slicker than greezed dog dung, but sure will restore it.

West

Not sure if this is sold inthe UK - what kinda polish is it - a silicone spray type :?: My old Guild case was pretty tattered - stuck bits of the vinyl back on, and wiped it with a damp rag to remove some whitish marks, but it could do with something to freshen it up.

 

[brian f]

ArmorAll has been around for a long time. Its a product that is marketed primarily to clean rubber, plastic, and vinyl automobile parts (everything except fot the pedals!!). Cleans and claims to protect against cracking, fading, and discoloration. Leaves things pretty slick as West noted. REally worked well on my tolex case. I've no idea whats in it.

 

[FNG]

Thanks West.

The ArmourAll worked great!

Still a bit stinky inside, but I'm just gonna air it out for a while. Afraid to spray anything inside (febreeze, etc.) for fear that it will contain something that will iteract with the finish.

Brian

Try some cedar chips.

 

[JerryR]

Anyone ever relined a case - is it easy :?: The hardshell I keep the epi in has very thin blue felt (unlike the guild case which has a thick rug like red lining). I'm thinking of padding the epi's case (it's quite loose in there), but presumably I'd have to rip the old lining out first :?:

 

[Guildmark]

The conventional wisdom (urban legend) on Armor All is that, once used, it must always be used. If you begin to use it and do not continue, it will lapse into a grayish, dull finish. That may be true of any such product for all I know.

 

[capnjuan]

The conventional wisdom (urban legend) on Armor All is that, once used, it must always be used. If you begin to use it and do not continue, it will lapse into a grayish, dull finish. That may be true of any such product for all I know.

Like a lot of silicon or polymer products, Armor All oxides. On car dashes; it's there and then gone 3 weeks later. If not exposed to extremes; sunlight / heat / humidity; it's fairly stable but the 'new glow' thing will dissipate after a while. If you are concerned, the tolex can be wiped off with a rag dampened with a solvent like paint thinner which won't harm the tolex. If you want to avoid Armor All, practically any furniture polish or even wax will give you the clean, fresher look.

 

[Mr_LV-19E]

Black liquid shoe polish will cover up nicks, scuff marks and gouges quite well.
Never used it to do a whole guitar case, but reconditioned an old echoplex with it and it looked like new, also touched up some scuff marks on my 30 year old 12 string case after regluing some loose edges. I used the kind that has the angled foam applicator on the end of the plastic bottle, shake and apply. I suppose if you have a different color tolex you could substitute a different color shoe polish.

Oh and almost forgot, I wouldn't use anything with silicon in it anywhere in the vicinity of your guitar. If you should ever need any finish repairs it will wreak havoc on the process.

Whoops, one more thing. Here is a link to something for removing odors. Watch the dead skunk test.
http://www.scoe10x.com/scripts/VideoReviews.asp

Cheers

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

But would it work on a Rick Astley cd?

 

[coastie99]

SNIBBO !!

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Imagine that. Amongst all of the weird things happening in the world, there's a guy with a beer in one hand and cheese in the other, and he's muttering things like "snibbo."

 

[JerryR]

Anyone ever relined a case - is it easy :?: The hardshell I keep the epi in has very thin blue felt (unlike the guild case which has a thick rug like red lining). I'm thinking of padding the epi's case (it's quite loose in there), but presumably I'd have to rip the old lining out first :?:

Just reraising this one as no one answered it - of course - no-one may have done this anyway. Hints on where to get the material and what glue to use on a standard hardshell case would be appreciated

 

[Default]

Tolex, you can get just about anywhere(AES for example) and tolex glue at the same place. A flat case would be easier to do first.
http://www.tubesandmore.com/