How to go about removing spray-can paint from old grillcloth?

[MikeL]

I sure you've encountered late '60s/early '70s Sunn heads/cabs where the grillcloth was A)sprayed black because someone(usually in the '80s)decided that silver sparkle wasn't cool anymore, or B)sprayed with red, orange, or dayglo because it was a punk rock thing to do. I've got both situations on some newly acquired classic Sunn gear, both the woven angled cloth and the post-'68 Fender rectangle style. The rectangle pattern type can be replaced if need be, of course, but I don't want to go through the grief of ordering thru Melotone the angled woven style if it's even available; can either type of cloth be removed(I know, a very laborious task of pulling staples)and washed with bleach or anti-graffitti spray can paint remover now available, or would either of those methods damage either of the cloth types? Could I just use the paint remover while the cloth was still mounted, of would that negatively affect the wood underneath?

[Ryan Phelps]

I'd love to hear the answer to this question too. I have a matched pair of Sunn Studio PA speakers from 1967 with the original JBL drivers, crossovers and factory covers.......and the old-style Sunn grill cloth has been painted black!
I was thinking that I would remove the baffle and take the grill cloth off (so as not to damage the plywood baffle, speakers or Tolex when cleaning the grill cloth). Then I would tape the edges of the grill cloth so they don't start unraveling. Then I would start with the least aggressive cleaner I could find....like 409 or Fantastik household spray cleaners with a soft  nylon-bristle brush and a bit of elbow-grease. If that didn't work, I'd try some of the new "Goof Off" product for removing dried paint and sticky residue....try it on an inconspicuous edge of the fabric first. I'd also keep a spray bottle full of water handy to neutralize the cleaning solution and an old towel to wipe the grill cloth dry. My sense is that paint remover and bleach are too aggressive and would likely damage the grill cloth, but you could try it on a scrap of sacrificial grill cloth before you attack the vintage Sunn grill cloth. I've used paint remover on painted blonde Tolex before with reasonable results, but you have to quickly neutralize the paint remover with water and wipe the Tolex dry before the paint remover eats it!
If anyone tries cleaning their grill cloth, please report back with your experience!

Thanks!
Ryan

[bigobassman]

I've never tried for this problem, but a product called Krud Kutter has worked on carpet with dried paint and an early 60s Kay Barney Kessel with splattered paint on it.  Get it at Home Depot, Lowes or paint stores.   

[wildbill96]

Look at it this way...if you don't like the way it currently looks then you have nothing to loose in trying to clean it.  If the cleaning products you use damage the existing grill cloth you always have the fallback option of ordering replacement cloth from Wendell Fabrics.

Given that you think it is spray paint you are probably going to have to use a solvent based paint remover.  If the grill cloth has any plastic content at all you are most likely going to damage it with the paint remover.

I chose to replace the grill cloth on my two 412s cabinets not because of paint but because of rips and tears.  The fabric wasn't cheap the the results weren't factory perfect but after installing the new cloth and scrubbing up the tolex my stack looks pretty darned presentable now.

Good luck with whatever approach you decide to take.

[george]

3M adhesive remover - wear HAZMAT

[MikeL]

Look at it this way...if you don't like the way it currently looks then you have nothing to loose in trying to clean it.  If the cleaning products you use damage the existing grill cloth you always have the fallback option of ordering replacement cloth from Wendell Fabrics.

Given that you think it is spray paint you are probably going to have to use a solvent based paint remover.  If the grill cloth has any plastic content at all you are most likely going to damage it with the paint remover.

I chose to replace the grill cloth on my two 412s cabinets not because of paint but because of rips and tears.  The fabric wasn't cheap the the results weren't factory perfect but after installing the new cloth and scrubbing up the tolex my stack looks pretty darned presentable now.

Good luck with whatever approach you decide to take.

Thanks, WildBill; now, here's my stupid question: does the circa '68 woven cloth have any plastic in it? I'm sure the post '69 Fender style does(correct me if I'm wrong). Also, I've sorta lost track of the Wendell Fabrics saga(and I know it's subject that's been beaten to death)---I don't know why I called them Melotone---but anyway, in a nutshell, is the angle pattern woven cloth currently available? On the grill that was painted black, I'm assuming it was spray paint(certainly the easiest way to do it); the dayglo(gotta be spray can)is on a grill with the older style cloth. I'll tread lightly with the solvent &/or that 3M stuff that george mentioned(I don't think Goo-Gone is gonna cut it). If it all goes bad I'll have to order some new cloth.

[tacklebox455]

if its not to thick you can use WD-40 also works wonder on spray painted tolex let it soak at least 5 mins and be sure to try it in a small area first sometimes it work the wrong way if ya get my drift.

on the other hand i have used this several times only problem i ever had was when i used it on wicker grill cloth it turned it a greyish brown like color.

also after the WD-40 has set for 5 mins use a brush (like you clean floors with the ones that have plastic bristles) you dont have to push on it but you do have to work it back and forth alot and in circles.

hope this helps ya out

[wildbill96]

MikeL:

Yes I was referring to the post '69 Fender style cloth which is what I had to work with on my application and yes it does appear to contain some plastic threads.  I ordered a type that was not shown on their website but was recommended by a fellow that I spoke to at Wendell.  What I ordered has a touch of yellow/tan in it that gives it a bit of an aged look as opposed to that factory fresh look which is a bit more silver/gray.

From what I've seen on this forum the pre '69 angled patterned cloth is almost impossible to get unless you do a special order for some ridiculous minimum quantity.

As I can remember Melotone is the brand name for one of the fabric lines at Wendell Fabrics.  If you search for "Wendell Fabrics" on the forum you'll find plenty of posts regarding Wendell, the types of fabrics folks have used for their restorations, etc...

[Isaac]

3M adhesive remover - wear HAZMAT

Wear PPE.