Lesson learned, don't use black sharpie on red tolex!

[Randall]

Or any other light color for that matter. I used it on a black tolex job recently which went well, and thought nothing of marking out some things on a red tolex job I am about to do. Luckily it was mostly on the margins that will be cut off, but I did use it to outline the back panel of a 2x12 Marshall cab. It shows right through now, but it will be against black and on an edge where it shouldn't be seen. I did write on one side panel, I'll shoot that cab panel black and hope for the best I guess. Doh!

[nosaj]

Or any other light color for that matter. I used it on a black tolex job recently which went well, and thought nothing of marking out some things on a red tolex job I am about to do. Luckily it was mostly on the margins that will be cut off, but I did use it to outline the back panel of a 2x12 Marshall cab. It shows right through now, but it will be against black and on an edge where it shouldn't be seen. I did write on one side panel, I'll shoot that cab panel black and hope for the best I guess. Doh!

Or you could try marking on the backside of the tolex.
Ok or use a roller ball ink pen.
nosaj

[The Dude]

The way I read it, Randall says, "It shows right through now", so I think he did mark on the backside.

[Randall]

"The way I read it, Randall says, "It shows right through now", so I think he did mark on the backside"

Of course is was the backside, why would you mark up the front?

[nosaj]

"The way I read it, Randall says, "It shows right through now", so I think he did mark on the backside"

Of course is was the backside, why would you mark up the front?

We've all done questionable things when looked at in a different light.

nosaj

[Justin Thomas]

Like taking a hammer to a toilet with no gloves. Shrapnel's a bitch!

Sorry, just had ro vent about my latest Dumbis moment.

Jusrin

[DrGonz78]

Well I have not worked with red tolex and probably would have used a black sharpie when measuring to cut. So thanks for the heads up warning. 👍

[J M Fahey]

Why would *anybody* use solvent type, a.k.a. "PERMANENT" (hint hint) marker on Tolex is way beyond me.

Kids: repeat with me:

1) Tolex-is-porous

2) avoid using solvents to "clean" Tolex.
Least they will do is soak through it, remove and splotch colours, etc. (any colour but black that is)

The point being that if you use a solvent based marker it will go where you don´t want to and trying to clean it will be a mess.

3) even a ballpoint pen which uses grease based ink (hint: only removable with solvents) can be dangerous.

4) if at all needed, try to use water based stuff, or chalk (I use seamstress/tailors type chalk, which allows for quite precise marking and can be removed if necessary with a damp cloth opr plain brushing away)

[glebert]

4) if at all needed, try to use water based stuff, or chalk (I use seamstress/tailors type chalk, which allows for quite precise marking and can be removed if necessary with a damp cloth opr plain brushing away)

And it looks like big guitar picks!

[Leo_Gnardo]

And it looks like big guitar picks!

I'm likin' that! I was gonna suggest china marker. And I have a box of old yellow overhead-projector pencils, left over from the days when dinosaurs stalked the earth (1960's). But these fall afoul of the "no grease based" rule. Oh well. I'll leave the tolexing to those who are expert. Luckily we have an excellent cab builder & repair guy in New Rochelle NY, not too far away. I've seen him do miracle work & recommend him all the time.

[Chuck H]

FWIW, Randall, I've only covered a couple of cabinets and none in red. Without the benefit of your experience I might well have made the same mistake.

[Bill Moore]

I never have thought about using a sharpie, I have some white pencils that work well. (I have always used them when making gaskets that are difficult to buy!)

[eschertron]

In my vast experience (I've done TWO cabinets ) I used a chalk line for the long cuts. Probably because I'm really bad with straight lines! I probably did use sharpie for outlining the glue areas. I must have lucked out, working with wine-colored vinyl. Good caveat going forward. I appreciate the post, Randall

[nosaj]

FWIW, Randall, I've only covered a couple of cabinets and none in red. Without the benefit of your experience I might well have made the same mistake.

Not a 100% on this but I think Sharpie brand markers will look purple under black lights(bars, clubs , what not)

nosaj

[Chuck H]

Not a 100% on this but I think Sharpie brand markers will look purple under black lights(bars, clubs , what not)

nosaj

I may never know. On one cabinet (also "wine" eschertron, but tolex) I only marked the back panels. So you'd never see it from the front. The other was a Gibson clone in fawn for a harmonica player that I'm no longer in contact with. Maybe he's enjoying the mystery script under the right light.