Case Restoration

[futrconslr]

I have a case that I want to make look better. It looks as if it spent alot of time under someones bed or in their basement. It is not a particularly old case. My mando was built in 1996 and this is the original case. I am the second owner. There is alot of dust between the crinkles and the hardware is pitted with a little rust. I dont mind it looking old. Old is good. I just dont like it looking dirty! lol OCD setting in. I could touch up the hardware with some fine steel wool and WD-40 but was wondering if something else would be better. Also, what do I use on the outside of the case?

[sunburst]

Armorall makes black vinyl covered cases look pretty good.

[futrconslr]

Is that good for cleaning? Also, I wasn't sure if the silicone would cause long term damage.

[mandough]

Use a toothbrush to get bits of dust out of hard to reach places. If you're mad at your wife, use hers.:D
I use armorall or spray vinyl cleaner on my guitar cases from time to time. It seems to do the job just fine.

[Rob Anderson]

Hello,
I make custom instrument cases and sometimes use scavenged suitcase hardware on special cases to capture that vintage Americana look. Here's my two cents regarding tolex and hardware cleaning.
Unless it's just light dust, don't use the armor-all right away- it just seals in the stubborn dirt. A nylon bristle brush with dish soap and water will actually remove just about anything. Do a couple of scrubbings if it's really bad and wipe it off with a clean rag. You will be able to see the dirt come off onto the rag. After it's all clean the armor all will put on a protective glossy coat that dirt won't like to stick to.
On the hardware, fine steel wool and WD-40 as a lubricant is my first step followed up by rubbing compound. The WD-40 seems to be key in preventing any scratching of the plating. A little buffing wheel on the Dremel tool makes things go much quicker with the rubbing compound. Rubbing compound is quite course, but to my eye puts on enough shine, and doesn't show significant scratching. You might want to use a finer polishing compound instead. It just depends on how much shine you want, you may be happy with the first steel wool step only.
Hope this helps.

Rob Anderson-Dunamis Designs

[futrconslr]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to work on it this weekend and Ill let you know the results.

[futrconslr]

Tooth brush with soap and water worked great, then wiped down with armor-all. It has held up well. Cleaned up the rust with fine steel wool and wd-40

[Luthier Vandross]

GoJo, don't waste your time with anything else. It's the best for cleaning monkey dew off of anything

M

[uncle ken]

Does anyone know if it's possible to restore a Gibson A style case from the 20s? Mine has the emerald green fuzzy lining which might put it in the snake head era although I'm not positive about the age. It has duct tape holding it together in a couple places. The fuzz could also use some cleaning.

[Mark in Nevada City]

Sorry to horn in on this thread! I read this because I'm in need of case restoration, but my case is a bit older and not in that good of shape. Its the orig. 1917 case for my F4. I don't recall seeing any discussions here regarding restoration or partial restoration, or maybe I've missed'em.

Over the years I've thought numerous times about how to do the restoration, and have always "let sleeping dogs lie." However the orig covering has peeled back on the top of the case near the peghead to expose about 10 sq. in. of bare plywood. Is it possible to splice in a section of the covering rather than covering the whole case? Is it even possible to find a close match to the old covering material?

thanks, mmm

[Tom C]

<span style='color:slateblue'>Just cover it with stickers</span> http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Mark in Nevada City]

I just knew somebody would come up with stickers! Thanks, but no thanks, Tom ;)

[Tom C]

<span style='color:blue'><span style='font-size:15pt;line-height:100%'> Duct Tape!</span></span>

[mandroid]

FWIW: I used Shellac on my '20s cloth covered cases, 3M cloth backed tape for the bared wood spots.

[uncle ken]

Is there anyone out there who has tried restoring these old cases as a business or as a hobby? It seems like there would be a market out there for it. Someone would have to track down or make the matching materials for the coverings and the linings.