Cleaning Grill Cloth

[longsey]

Last month someone suggested an automotive care product for cleaning grill cloth. I've tried to search the topic in the forums but I can't find that thread (just ones about the original cloth being some sort of holy grail type substance.) Can the original poster give me that tip again? I want to spiff my cab back up.

If anyone has any tips on getting tolex clean I would appreciate that too. I'll probably just use soap and water and a cloth.

[Ryan Phelps]

Longsey,
I don't know about the automotive product for cleaning grille cloth. But here is how I clean tolex: Take some household spray cleaner like 409 or Fantastik and spray it directly on the tolex. These cleaners won't leave any residue like some soaps can. It doesn't take too much and take care to keep it away from speakers cones. Then scrub it into the tolex with a stiff nylon bristle brush, using a circular motion. This cleans the grime out of the textured recesses in the tolex. Then wipe everything up with an old cotton bath towel. Viola! Your tolex will look like new! I don't recommend using Armor All on tolex because it contains silicone and I don't like silicone anywhere near my guitars. It can wreak havoc with guitar finishes (read anything by Dan Erlewine, guitar repair guru and he says the same thing). So don't grease-up your guitar cases with it either!

Ryan

[jaybird]

I get pretty good results using Windex and a stiff-bristle brush on Tolex.

[Johnny]

I use foaming automotive upholstery cleaner, and lots of it, then rinse with water and air dry. It works great.

I always remove the chassis and name plate first, and clean the tolex at the same time.

[cromag]

those are all great tips.   now, i wonder what would clean the grill cloth?  an automotive interior cleaner perhaps?

[jaybird]

If it's just a couple dirty spots/stains on the grill cloth, you might try Resolve carpet cleaner... I'd try it out on a very small spot first, but I've used it on carpet and car seats, and it removes stains pretty well without messing up the fabric.

[longsey]

Yeah, thanks for the tips on the tolex, still wondering about the grill cloth.

From what I remember in the post the 'cleaner' said the removed the grill cloth completely from the cab, cleaned it and then stapled it back on.

Perhaps I'm getting my internet guitar forums mixed up. There are too many good ones out there.

[noel]

Grill cloth is pretty easy generally (depending on where you're starting from of course).  I just use warm soapy water.  For a grill that hasn't been abused and just has the normal "crud build-up" this should be fine.  If you've got giant stains for the cloth is ripped/beat up to begin with washing it might not be the right approach.  Hope that helps.

[Johnny]

Yeah, thanks for the tips on the tolex, still wondering about the grill cloth.

From what I remember in the post the 'cleaner' said the removed the grill cloth completely from the cab, cleaned it and then stapled it back on.

Perhaps I'm getting my internet guitar forums mixed up. There are too many good ones out there.

Yea, I remember seeing that too, but I leave it mounted and just do the whole cabinet at once. That way you don't have to worry about re-mounting the cloth and making sure it is straight. The cloth is thin enough that the foaming cleaner cleans it thoroughly. I had a Musicman head with what looked like a large coffee stain in it removed completly this way.

[CLD]

Here's my original post on this subject from 1-23-09. It's based on what a local vintage restoration shop does, and they've worked miracles on the two 118, one 215 and one 415 cabs I took them.  The reason it's better (but not life-or-death) to take the cloth off the cabinet is so you can clean it all evenly.

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To clean the grill cloth, get some Tuff Stuff (made by Simonize) at an auto parts store.  If you leave the cloth on the frame, spray it on VERY LIGHTLY and wipe off with a towel.  However, the best way to do it is to take the cloth completely off the frames (pull all the staples out first), spray on the Tuff Stuff, scrub it with a nylon brush, then blast it with COLD water at a car wash or use a pressure washer if you have one at home.  (Hot water will shrink the cloth, creating new problems, so don't do that.)  It takes a lot of patience to get the cloth back on the frame straight and taut but the result is worth it.

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Good luck!

[longsey]

Awesome, thanks a lot. Tuff Stuff it is.