"How do I keep my amp clean?"

I turn down the gain.

 

Lol....

That`s beyond my capabilities !!! HNG^%$

 

Since the weather recently has been so $%?& *#*( I started doing a little clean up.

Basically, I take my amps looking like this :





Take them outside, wash them with warm water, dish soap, then scrub them with a large brush to get into the tolex then rinse with clean water.

 

And then to rejuvenate the tolex, I use either Armorall or other car products... This time I used ( No Touch ) Tire care to get this result :







I have to say that this baby is still dirty since did not go the extra mile to take out the speakers to wash out the grill cloth like I would usually do but you get the drift... Hell o`ve a lot easier to convince the wife that its something I need to keep !

What about you ?

 

From this

 

to this

 

I don't, apart from the odd wipe with a damp cloth to clean up a sticky drink

 

Spill beer on it. Overflowing ashtray.

 

A paintbrush to swipe dust, that's about it.

 

I use a "new non-used 3-inch paint brush" to wipe down my guitars and a dust mop for a quick cleaning of my amps.

 

I bought a particularly dusty head once, and after some research, I used a bit of Murphy's oil soap in water to clean up the tolex. It worked very well, especially with an old toothbrush to get into tight bits. It's certainly not shiny though. If you wanted shiny, I suppose some other product is better.

Other than that, just a dusting with a Swiffer cloth. @Frenchy99 how did you get those results?! Fabulous job!

I've tried unsuccessfully to clean up grill cloth, especially stained ones. I'd be interested to hear a sure fire way to do that.

 

Cleaning destroys the mojo.

 

50 years of other people`s Mojo is to much Mojo for me !

 

 

As long as you don't clean it like this guy does his guitar, you should be ok.

 

As long as you don't clean it like this guy does his guitar, you should be ok.

Only to the ones that I sell !!!

 

Armorall as well.
For the grill, remove from the cab if you can. Oxiclean and thorough rinse.

 

Other than that, just a dusting with a Swiffer cloth. @Frenchy99 how did you get those results?! Fabulous job!

wash them with warm water, dish soap, then scrub them with a large brush to get into the tolex then rinse with clean water.
And then to rejuvenate the tolex, I use either Armorall or other car products... This time I used ( No Touch ) Tire care to get this result.

 

I clean pretty much everything (amps and pedals, metal parts on guitars) with WD-40



It works on metal and plastic, it keeps moisture away, it doesn't leave residue
For small parts and tough to reach spots: WD-40 on a Q-Tip
So yes, I clean my amps and pedals with a Q-Tip (I am that crazy)

Don't use this stuff on pots, jacks, or any electric component though

 

I clean pretty much everything (amps and pedals, metal parts on guitars) with WD-40



It works on metal and plastic, it keeps moisture away, it doesn't leave residue
For small parts and tough to reach spots: WD-40 on a Q-Tip
So yes, I clean my amps and pedals with a Q-Tip (I am that crazy)

Great tip !!!

 

I did a few more...

 

 

I track down their dealers and beat them to death with a 14 pound 1978 P-bass.

 

I've seen past reference to Murphy's Oil Soap but I see that it's supposed to be for wood. Any vinyl cleaner should do.

 

I no longer use anything that leaves a residue behind. In my youth I used Armor All. Made everything shiny and slippery feeling. Eventually a white residue forms that is next to impossible to remove.

Now I use minimal dish soap and hot water. Old face cloths, tooth brush, whatever allows the hot water to do its magic to lift and remove. I think that this kind of clean look has a broader appeal. It is more of a closet find look.

 

Yea, but once you go in and get it, are you ever coming out again?

 

To reiterate, WD-40 stinks, made for farm machinery. Armour-all eats vinyl. If you're going to use anything on the tolex, try Meguiar's vinyl cleaner.

Edit; this stuff, new name: http://meguiars.ca/product/nature-shine-protectant/

 

I use that silly putty stuff that is very soft and if a jelly like texture on the tolex and the dials and such. It's actually used for cleaning keyboards. It morphs into any shape you need. My amp doesn't have one ding or rip on it!

I have never put a drink of top of it except for Wriff Rath. I vacuum any dust or dirt on the material cover. It's on pristine shape so not much effort is required!

The only time I clean my guitar is when I change strings! Out come the Cue tips, a plastic bread clip to remove the finger residue on the frets! I usually clean the body with a gentle bio degradable soap! Then I polish it with s soft cotton rag!

My soft gig bag had a major tear in it. My husband was going to take it to one of his clothing manufacturing buddies where they have industrial sewing machines but I said screw it! Got tired of waiting. I got some black upholstery thread and fixed it myself! It turned out so good! I took my time though and made tiny little stitches to make it more durable! It was a little tedious but so worth it. You could never even tell that there was a major tear in it!

I also have dedicated picks that are my favs! I clean those too. A squirt of Dawn in the some water, leg them soak and then I take a soft toothbrush to them to get off the finger oils and such on them! Let them dry and voila, pristine picks.

My SG gets the same treatment! I am extra careful especially with the Nitrous cellulose paint finish! A little buckle rash on the back of it but nothing major!

It's not only the guitar that makes a player but everything else as well!

 

The only time I clean my guitar is when I change strings! Out come the Cue tips, a plastic bread clip to remove the finger residue on the frets! I usually clean the body with a gentle bio degradable soap! Then I polish it with s soft cotton rag!

I clean all my instruments the same way and at string change and especially when I buy a new one used... It gets a full over hall as soon as it gets in the house.

I find it more enjoyable playing with clean stuff ...

 

Meguiar's vinyl cleaner

+1