Tolex seams coming loose on amplifier

[Gluvhand]

Hope a mod stickys it

They will. My word is my bond.

 

[el jeffe bass]

This just proves that alcohol isn’t the cure all that I always thought it to be. My world is shattered

 

[mikenyc]

2. What is the BEST way to glue down those seams?

+1 for gorilla glue, I had good results regluing old tolex. The job I did wasn't perfect and there was a little excess visible once it dried, but it was clear so it wasn't that obvious. And it expands as it cures, so once it hardened the seam felt stronger than all the surrounding materials. Might have been a little raised up compared to everything else. So doing it the recommended way, with contact cement, may give a result that's better cosmetically. For my repair though, it was on the back so durable + not perfect looking was totally fine.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

View attachment 5494617

Search and ye shall find … from a “leave the amp in the car” thread. I’ll see myself out now.

HAHAHAHA. Go figure. It's almost like @agedhorse knows what he's talking about and does this for a living.

 

[eddiemac]

After trying many products in vain, I stumbled upon E6000 multi-purpose adhesive to hold the seams down on speaker cabs previously glued with 3M spray adhesive. It worked (wasn't actual Tolex).

 

[fretlessman71]

I am going to try acetone to remove the white residue from my ill-advised 1st attempt. Bad idea?

 

[fretlessman71]

After trying many products in vain, I stumbled upon E6000 multi-purpose adhesive to hold the seams down on speaker cabs previously glued with 3M spray adhesive. It worked (wasn't actual Tolex).

I don't know if mine is "actual" Tolex either. It's whatever Hartke puts on their KB12 amp.

 

[agedhorse]

I am going to try acetone to remove the white residue from my ill-advised 1st attempt. Bad idea?

Very, very bad idea. Acetone will destroy all vinyls/Tolex that I have every worked with.

 

[beans-on-toast]

How to do the repair depends on the age of the amp. Many vintage amps used water soluble hide glue as the adhesive. Newer amps use a variety of adhesives, some are water soluble some aren’t.

The affected area should first be cleaned of dirt and residue. Be it water or an organic solvent such as alcohol, don’t use too much as it can creep and lift what is currently well affixed.

There are two types of contact cement, water soluble (white) and solvent based (yellow). The yellow stuff sticks better in difficult cases, the WBCC is more that sufficient in most cases. Both adhere well for amp cab work.

I often use hide or fish glue, it is available at better wood stores. Both release with heat and high humidity.

If the cab is often in a car, I’d use cyanoacrylate (CA aka super glue). They are available in a rubberized black if you want but clear if fine. Apply with toothpicks or pins, limit the amount so as to not have it seep out. Use good lighting and a head magnifier if you have one. Small gaps can be filled with CA. These products are unforgiving if you screw up. Not all CA adhesives are created equal. I prefer ones from Bob Smith Industries.

 

[fretlessman71]

Very, very bad idea. Acetone will destroy all vinyls/Tolex that I have every worked with.

So I'm stuck with the white residue forever?

 

[agedhorse]

So I'm stuck with the white residue forever?

Depends on how much more damage you are willing to live with. You may just want to blend it in with a Sharpie or such.

 

[Gluvhand]

I don't know if mine is "actual" Tolex either. It's whatever Hartke puts on their KB12 amp.

I wouldn't use acetone on "good" tolex but I wouldn't even put it in the same room with whatever it is Harte uses. I love my Hartke cabs but they tear if you breathe on them lightly.

 

[fretlessman71]

Depends on how much more damage you are willing to live with. You may just want to blend it in with a Sharpie or such.

Maybe I'll just take a torch to the seams and tell people it's been relic'd.

 

[eddiemac]

On vinyl covered cabs with ground-in dust, stains, etc, I've been able to make them look nearly new by using black dye stain (as sold to wood or leather workers). Just put it on a rag and wipe on, then wipe off.

 

[JLS]

Contact cement smells way more fun than rubber cement, just sayin'

There's excellent waterborne contact cement, too.

 

[JLS]

On vinyl covered cabs with ground-in dust, stains, etc, I've been able to make them look nearly new by using black dye stain (as sold to wood or leather workers). Just put it on a rag and wipe on, then wipe off.

Or black sharpie.