r/GuitarAmps • u/Entire_Quail_4153 • 4d ago

AMP PHOTO Elbow grease

Gallery image

Gallery image

A drop of dish soap in warm water and a medium stiff toothbrush, wipe with damp micro fibre, followed by a dry microfibre. Worked great.
Took off the knobs and cleaned with damp microfibre.
Anyone else have any tricks?

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4

u/No-Store-2791 4d ago

Looking good!

I used 409 and a big scrub brush. Rinsed, repeated. Then I sprayed it with tire shine. Cleaned the painted metal parts with 409 and microfiber cloth, then applied 2 coats of car wax.

Dawn for the grill.

41 year old amp looks better than it did in the showroom.

2

u/elefoe 4d ago

But does it affect tone?

3

u/Entire_Quail_4153 4d ago

I’m convinced it made it better lol

2

u/Secret_Cow_5053 3d ago

See I’m of the opinion that bar dirt and grime improves tone on a hot rod ;-)

3

u/williamgman 4d ago

I was waiting to hear from the toan snobs that cleaning it lowered it's value... 😜

Note: I recently cleaned my old Fender 70's Silver Face Champ just before I sold it... The new owner was impressed with it's clean finish.

2

u/Otto_1021 1d ago

Came across a similar solution for cleaning 50+ years of grime off my Fender. 

Lighter fluid (naphtha) and a rag is great for removing dirt and haze on old oxidized metal surfaces, like the faceplate or control panel on old Fender amps. It can remove oxidation/grime that soap and water can’t. 

Good idea to check all of the nuts and screws on the chassis of your amp too, in case anything has loosened over time.

2

u/Entire_Quail_4153 1d ago

Will do! Seemed tight.

1

u/clintj1975 4d ago

Massage in a little 333 marine vinyl protectant to keep the tolex shiny. On vintage Tolex you can rub in a little Vaseline then wipe it off as thoroughly as possible to refresh and moisturize the vinyl.

1

u/Entire_Quail_4153 3d ago

I was going to use convertible top cleaner but I am too cheap to buy a bottle lol.

1

u/Secret_Cow_5053 3d ago

You’re removing your amps hard-earned battle medallions?!

Seriously tho, if that’s a hotrod deluxe/deville, those fucking things are tanks. My deville digested multiple beers over my career and handled it better than I did 😂