Tolex getting sticky on 70's SVT cab - What to do?

[JoeYello]

The tolex my 70's SVT 8x10 is starting to feel sticky. I've owned this cab since about 1976 and it has always been stored in a temperature controlled environment. It has it's share of bumps and bruises but it is odd how the tolex is getting sticky...pretty much uniformally around the cab.

Has anyone else seen this?? What should I do?

Thanks!

[Downunderwonder]

How do you mean sticky?

I have no idea how tolex could gas off 25 years worth of volatiles and yet become softer. Perhaps an industrial chemist bassist in the ranks can explain that.

If nobody knows you might try wiping the bottom with a variety of nasties and see if anything hardens it back up. Bleach, alcohol, gasoline, citrus cleaner.........not going to do any harm on the bottom.

[woody357]

Soap and water works!!!

[beans-on-toast]

Organics and dirt will build up over time and combine to feel sticky. If the cab was wiped down with a cleaner, any residual can account for this.

I wash the vinyl with a mild soap like ivory, water and a fingernail brush. Don't flood the seams with water as they used a water based glue to affix the vinyl. If any seam separation occurs, I usually use a cyanoacrylate but a carpenters glue will work as well. If you want it to shine and add a little protection use Armor All original and buff with a clean cloth.

[panama]

Stop spilling beer on it, Mr. Tipsy.

[JoeYello]

Originally Posted by panama

Stop spilling beer on it, Mr. Tipsy.

I wish that was the problem!

[JoeYello]

By sticky I mean when you touch it there is a tacky feel to the tolex.....

Has anyone tried "Simple Green"?

[Downunderwonder]

I'm liking the buildup of organics over 25 yrs vs degradation of the vinyl. Simple Green is some pretty nasty stuff for all its advertising. I'd go with my organic dishwashing detergent myself.

[georgestrings]

A quick wipedown with some Armourall(sp?) oughta take care of it, and put a little moisture back into the tolex...


- georgestrings

[woody357]

Like I said, soap and water. Dish washing soap will work just fine.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

A quick wipedown with some Armourall(sp?) oughta take care of it, and put a little moisture back into the tolex...


- georgestrings

Agreed. Armour All is what I use to great effect.

[1n3]

Armor All alone may consolidate grime as much as remove it. I would first use dishwashing detergent with a soft scrub brush, then rinse thoroughly. If that doesn't remove the stickiness, try using a rag dampened with mineral spirits. And yeah, don't soak the seams. When the stickiness is gone, a light application of Armor All is good.

[BigOldHarry]

I know what the OP is talking about - sometimes, plastic will deteriorate and get gummy. It was probably exposed to something at some point - some chemical or left in the sun or something. If this is the case, there really is no solution short of stripping off the old tolex and putting new stuff on. There was a time when this was a not-uncommon thing to do on amps - This stuff does wear out, ya know. Anymore, folks are wild about beat-up looking gear so you see fewer folks re-covering their amps. Were this my cab, I'd be buying some bulk tolex and gettin' her re-covered. But that's me.

[okcrum]

I'd hit it with Windex or something similar first, to see if that cleans up some residue. I suppose it could have twenty years of Armor All gunk already built up on it.

[JoeYello]

Originally Posted by okcrum

I'd hit it with Windex or something similar first, to see if that cleans up some residue. I suppose it could have twenty years of Armor All gunk already built up on it.

I don't think it's residue..I am thinking that the vinyl is just breaking down. It has never been in the sun and has spent most of the last 10 years sitting in my room.

I'll try some different things. I did try some orange oil based cleaner and it did nothing.

[okcrum]

Yeah, if it's not cleaning up then it's breaking down and needs recovering.

[1n3]

Originally Posted by JoeYello

I don't think it's residue..I am thinking that the vinyl is just breaking down. It has never been in the sun and has spent most of the last 10 years sitting in my room.

I'll try some different things. I did try some orange oil based cleaner and it did nothing.

That's possible. The vinyl may be breaking down, or the plasticizer may be leaching out (same thing, really).

Replacement might be the ultimate solution, as BigOldHarry suggests, but if that's your next move, nothing to lose by trying a few things first. I thought a solvent like mineral spirits might help in this case, but many of those orange-oil cleaners have a mineral spirits base, so maybe not. I doubt a polar solvent like alcohol would work, but you could try it. If mineral spirits doesn't work, you could step up to something like xylol/xylene. Test on a small area, and work outdoors.