aging tweed...my weekend project

[Jeff_Shapuras]

Spent last weekend with a can of Minwax trying
to make the unfinished tweed on my '59 Bassman
RI look a little older - check it out at
http://www.enteract.com/~jeffnmoe/tweed ...

jeff (jeff...@enteract.com)

[RoccaforteAmps]

My cab guy uses lacquer
to age tweed.

[PMG]

On 9 Jul 2002 14:52:34 GMT, Jeff_Shapuras
<jeff...@shell-3.enteract.com> wrote:

I gotta admit, even though I generally think that aging tweed
artificially is an odd concept, but that is a big improvement. This
is my old Tremolux. http://picturefrompete.home.attbi.com/trem.jpg
I tried to adjust the color balance on the picture so that it has
approximately the same color tone as the amp has when you see it in
person. I'm only close.

Your amp needs cigarette burns on the top before it gets a more
authentic look, but you probably would have needed to do that *before*
the Minwax.

Pete

[John King]

Hey Jeff,

Great Job! I already bought a can of the Zinsser amber
for my re-tweeded '53 Deluxe, but I'm really glad you
posted your link and the link to the Zinsser coated
one on your page.

After seeing the two for comparison, I'm going to
pass on the red/orange color of the Zinsser and use
Minwax like you did. The color on yours looks good
to me.

I had been warned about the zinsser color but your links
convinced me, and I think you may have saved me a major
disappointment.

I do understand though that each different material
reacts to each coating differently so.... unless you
are using tweed / coatings that you are familiar with,
the color results are kind of a crap shoot.

Thanks,
John King

[nuke]

Actually, I tried samples of various Minwax products too and I went with orange
(ie, amber) shellac followed by a topcoat of nitro lacquer.

In comparing real aged tweed to the "fake" stuff, the problem is the shellac
and all are not really red/orange enough. Also the modern tweed seems to be a
bit too green, so the tint goes more brown than the nice orangy color that real
aged tweed does.

Here's what I'll advise:

Start with fresh, clean new tweed (or clean it darn well first). Tape off
everything you don't want paint on and disassemble the cabinet.

Use a *clear* shellac coat first, about a 1lb cut. (1lb flakes/gallon). Let it
dry thoroughly. The surface of the tweed is very porous and will take up color
unevenly unless you clear coat it first.

Then use an amber/orange shellac, also in a 1-1.5lb cut with a brush. Build up
the desired color, but seriously, don't go too overboard with it.

Once you get to the right color, let the shellac cure for at least 24 hours.

Apply a satin or gloss nitro lacquer top coat with a spray gun or use a nitro
in a can spray. (optional).

If you intend to use the nitro, use a premium quality dewaxed shellac flake. If
you don't want to do nitro, then you can just use the plain old Zinsser amber
and clear in a can. CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE ON THE CAN!

This place sells all the stuff you need:

http://www.shellac.net/

Get the premium de-waxed shellac flake, the anhydrous alcohol and the nitro in
a can.

Remember do NOT try to duplicate 40 years of aging, you can't. You can get a
nice tint though and it looks a lot cooler than bright-yellow green new tweed.

I haven't yet figured out how the original tweed was coated. The old tweed
coating is readily disolved with alcohol, which leads me to think shellac, and
not nitro, which is more resistant to alcohol.

I also have no idea what the yellow coating is on the new tweed fabric. It
seems resistant to everything, water, solvents, bleach even. I'm not sure
whether the original stuff had any coatings on it when it came from the mill.

>Hey Jeff,
>
>Great Job! I already bought a can of the Zinsser amber
>for my re-tweeded '53 Deluxe, but I'm really glad you
>posted your link and the link to the Zinsser coated
>one on your page.

>Hey Jeff,
>
>Great Job! I already bought a can of the Zinsser amber
>for my re-tweeded '53 Deluxe, but I'm really glad you
>posted your link and the link to the Zinsser coated
>one on your page.
>
>After seeing the two for comparison, I'm going to
>pass on the red/orange color of the Zinsser and use
>Minwax like you did. The color on yours looks good
>to me.
>
>I had been warned about the zinsser color but your links
>convinced me, and I think you may have saved me a major
>disappointment.
>
>I do understand though that each different material
>reacts to each coating differently so.... unless you
>are using tweed / coatings that you are familiar with,
>the color results are kind of a crap shoot.
>
>Thanks,
>John King

--
Dr. Nuketopia
Spam filtering is off. AO-Hell catches most of it now.

[John King]

nuke wrote:

I'm not sure whether the original stuff had any coatings on it
when it came from the mill.

> --
> Dr. Nuketopia
> Spam filtering is off. AO-Hell catches most of it now.

Thanks for all the tips.

I've heard several stories about the shellac / lacquer on
the old Fender tweeds. While the mill may or may not have
coated the tweed with something, I doubt it.

I've heard that; Fender treated the cabinets and /or that
it was a store / dealer done "option" and also that some
individuals treated them with clear coats themselves.
All may have been true at different times.

That would explain the inconsistency in aging / color.
But then, so would storage conditions.

I don't care so much that mine be as authentic looking
as possible, but it is important that I like the color
since I plan on having it the rest of my lifetime.

Hmmmmm, come to think of it, the color will probably change
a couple of shades if I live long enough ;=].

John King