VOX V15 tolex cleaning

[Robert M. Martinelli]

Ok, I must admit this one has little to do with electronics, but I have one of my Voxes, a 1981 V15, which has been painted in white in one of its previous lives.... I like very much the way the amp sounds though ( close to my 1964 AC30 but more compressed and saturated at high volumes, and very British-sounding though the circuitry is slightly different ).

Anyway, does anyone has suggestions on how to cleanse the tolex without ruining it and bring the amp back ( in black ) to its original splendor ?

Thanks in advance

Best regards

Bob

[52 Bill]

Anyway, does anyone has suggestions on how to cleanse the tolex without ruining it and bring the amp back ( in black ) to its original splendor ?

Bob:
I've cleaned a few white Fender amps that had been painted black and here you have a black Vox amp that was painted white!

I have found that you first need to determine what kind of paint was used on the vinyl. Do some tests on an area of the amp that will not show, in case there is a problem.

I don't know what is available to you in Italy, but I test with all of the basic paint solvents to see which one if any will soften the paint without damaging the vinyl. I'd try mineral spirits, denatured alcohol, turpentine, naptha, etc. Watch out for stronger solvents like acetone which may soften the vinyl itself. If you are lucky, the paint will soften with a mild solvent and will clean up without too much trouble.

You might also try spray cleaners. I found that while trying to remove the black paint from a rough white Bassman head, that spray automotive mag wheel cleaner softened the black paint enough that I could then scrub off the black paint with a stiff bristle brush. This cleaner didn't melt the paint, but instead caused the paint to separate from the vinyl.

If you can't remove the paint, you can always repaint it with black paint.

Hope this helps.

[Robert M. Martinelli]

Hi Bill,
Thanks a lot for your suggestions, I' ll start trying with the lower part of the cab, so in case I do something wrong the damaged tolex will be barely visible....and you' re right, there' s always the possibility of re-repainting the thing in black in case I'm not able to take the white paint away....

Amp painting should be considered a major felony, though!

Again, thanks!

Best regards

Bob

[Richard B]

Bob: You might try lifting the paint off with duct tape. I've never done this myself, but I've heard of this method and would like to pass along the suggestion.

Cheers, Richard

[Robert M. Martinelli]

Hi Richard, thanks for your kind advice, I' ll try that, but it looks the paint' s stuck to the tolex pretty well, the big problem here is that it' s impossible to identify the kind of paint used ( nitro, polyurethane, other? )....

If nothing else will work I' ll have to re-paint it black ( I see a white amp and I want to paint it black....no colors anymore, I want them to turn black....Feeling kinda Mick Jagger today ).

Regards

Bob

[womantone]

Naptha and denatured alcohol seemed to always do the trick for me. Just try it on a small area first. Don't ruin good tolex like I did. And then to finish the job I use industrial strength armor-all wipes. They are the bomb for regular tolex cleaning, they get rid of all the nitty gritty.

[Robert M. Martinelli]

"Paint it black"

I want to thank all of you for your advice, I tried several "routes" but with some of them the tolex was suffering damage, some others cleaners seemed milder, but removing the paint with them was a real PITA ( I think the paint had a very close chemical affinity with the tolex to stick to it so well, what a lucky guy I am ), so I ended up painting the cabinet in black.
Thanks to all and each one of you.
Bob