Refreshing guitar amplifiers and music equipment

What is Tolex?

Tolex is not leather, but a grained artificial leather (PVC-coated fabric) that has been used since the 1950s for guitar amplifiers, speaker cabinets, cases and other music equipment. Tolex is usually black, but is occasionally available in other colours. It looks similar to pigmented smooth leather, but behaves somewhat differently when treated. It does not absorb colourants; it is coated from above.

Some high-quality cases are actually covered with genuine leather. The water-drop test helps to distinguish them: if a drop is absorbed, it is genuine leather. If it beads off completely and leaves no trace, it is artificial leather or Tolex.

What can be refreshed and what cannot

Minor signs of wear, dulling caused by abrasion and slight colour loss can be refreshed well. Deep scratches, torn areas or completely rubbed-off areas are more difficult; the result will remain clearly visible, but the condition will nevertheless improve noticeably.

Procedure

Step 1: Cleaning and degreasing
Thoroughly degrease the affected areas with Leather Cleaning Spirit. Old grease, wax or dirt prevents the tint from adhering. For heavily soiled surfaces, first clean with a lightly moistened cloth.

Step 2: Smoothing
Smooth areas that have become rough with the Colourlock Sanding Pad without applying much pressure. Then remove all sanding dust.

Step 3: Colouring
Apply Colourlock Leather Fresh tint in black (or a matching colour) by dabbing it on in circular motions with a sponge. Dry each layer with a hairdryer before applying the next; this is crucial for coverage. Three to four layers are usually sufficient.

Uneven layers can be evened out again with the Sanding Pad and then thinly recoloured.

Step 4: Preserving the grain side (outer side)

Treat the leather on the grain side (outer side) with Colourlock Elephant Leather Preserver. The Preserver is acid-free and synthetic, ideal for old leather. Apply only thinly, allow it to absorb and polish with a woollen cloth.

→ Never seal the reverse side with pure grease; this has no deep effect. In very inaccessible places, especially around seams, Colourlock Old Leather Softener can additionally be applied with a fine brush; the linen threads used in the past have also dried out and become brittle.

→ Vegetable and animal greases from equestrian-care products, saddle soap and ordinary creams damage old leather, even if they are suitable for new leather of the same type.

Care

For genuine leather on equipment cases

If the leather is not Tolex but genuine leather, care for it after colour refreshing with Elephant Leather Preserver. This protects the result and extends its lifespan.

For Tolex

For Tolex, use our Artificial Leather Protector. It protects and cares for the material against drying out.