Gerstner Leatherette Restoration

[pocosso]

Guys,
I new here and I am exited ti post for the first time.
I found few months ago a nice Gerstner Toolchest on eBay, it need some restoration but case and structure is quite in good shape.
I removed the leatherette as it was covered by some non original one. Now I have a big problem, I am in the process to order from Gerstner the original hardware (not sure yet if I decided or not to keep the current one, but I will order it anyway), problem is that the leatherette roll is not included in the free shipping program and I am in Italy, it will cost a huge Fortune shipping to Europe will cost almost 300 USD.
My dilemma is now: can I find similar leatherette in Europe? What would you do? Should I stay with the original one or just look for one locally?

 

[RTM]

Here in the US there are places that sell something called tolex which is often used to cover electric guitar amplifiers and things like that. Also, if you could find a musical instrument repair shop that does electric guitars they may be able to help as well. My US examples

https://www.amplifiedparts.com/search/node/Tolex?categories%5B0%5D=Grill%20Cloth%2C%20Tolex%20%26%20Piping

Guitar Cabinet Tolex & Tweed

Shop premium Tolex and Tweed for amp and cabinet coverings. Classic look, durable protection, and professional-grade materials.

mojotone.com

 

[pocosso]

Thank you! I was thinking about something like that, would the pattern match the Gersner one? Second question, which weight should I go for? Medium or light?

 

[RTM]

Thank you! I was thinking about something like that, would the pattern match the Gersner one? Second question, which weight should I go for? Medium or light?

Maybe match, your eye needs to pick what you like. Some definitely won’t, and that can be a conscious choice. This red crocodile pattern may not match, but what a statement it would make.

From this link on eBay from Fabric Empire outlet

https://ebay.io/m/a7y712

Fabric is usually measured in weight per area (ounces per square yard here). Looking at 54”x 2.5 yds gives 3.75 sq yards. At 5# shipping weight, approximately 21 Oz/ yd.

Google AI say Tolex runs 18-22 oz/yd.


Tolex, the durable vinyl-coated fabric used to cover amplifiers and speaker cabinets, typically weighs between 18 to 22 oz/yd²(roughly 510 to 625 g/yd²). [1, 2, 3]


Standard amplifier Tolex specifications include:

• Width: Rolls are almost universally 54 inches (1.37 m) wide.
• Weight per linear yard: A 1 yard × 54 inch cut of medium-weight Tolex typically weighs around 1.5 to 1.6 lbs (24 to 26 oz, or about 0.7 kg).
• Thickness: Usually runs right around 0.7 mm. [2, 4, 5]

If you are looking to purchase Tolex for an amp repair or custom cabinet build, you can find various textures, weights, and continuous cuts available from Amplified Parts or West Coast Pedal Board. [2, 6]
If you tell me what type of amplifier or cabinet you are covering, I can help you estimate exactly how many yards you will need to complete your project.

AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comments/11brl9f [2] https://electronics.alibaba.com/question/tolex-explained-what-it-is,-uses-how-to-choose-right
[3] https://electronics.alibaba.com/buyingguides/tolex-guide-how-to-choose-apply-amp-covering
[4] https://www.ebay.com/itm/126614773979
[5] http://www.kldguitar.com/Navigation/Resource/VinylTolex?name=FenderTolex
[6] https://www.kosovo.ubuy.com/en/product/L07DKGMK-tolex-amplifier-cabinet-covering-vanilla-cream-nubtex-18-wide-x-1-yard

 

[Ohio Andy]

Sorry I have no useful information, but what a cool project. Keep us updated as you progres

Welcome to the forum.

 

[pocosso]

Today I cleaned the back panel, the front lid and the cover.
The top Cover has still the Hardware as the rivets were probably reused, the way they are holding in the wood require me to remove those from the head to preserve the wood. tomorrow I will use the drill.

Old Leatherette has been almost all removed and the animal glue almost gone, I had to re-glue the dove tails as some were a bit loose.

i have a lot of marks given by the pneumatic U needles, everything will be covered by the leatherette but what would you do? should I Use some filler?

I also reglued and pressed the back panel it seems recovering the original consistence and it looks hard enough to be reused. Decision to use a new one is still postponed, I will try to fully recover this one bere giving up and go for a new one.

Keep you posted on my progress...

 

[four.cycle]

Knowing that product is available in Red Crocodile makes me want to own one of those boxes now.

 

[RTM]

Knowing that product is available in Red Crocodile makes me want to own one of those boxes now.

Get your own Gerstner, the ones already stripped are cheaper, and buy the Alligator tolex, and away you go. One of my buddies who's a musician turned me on to that other stuff and said my recently purchased gerstner would look really really hot set up like a rock musician's amp.

 

[AEAdam]

I feel like any vinyl would work equally well. I bought remnants at a fabric store cheap and have done different little upholstery jobs with them.

If I lived in Ravenna, I think I’d look for scrap materials maybe from automotive upholstery or maybe scrap leather!

You just want the thin cheap stuff with faux grain or pebble texture

 

[mslim]

Take a look at the "Levant" covering as used on the Marshall amps. It has a smoother pattern than some of the fender tolexes and, I think it's available in a nice green. Check out guitar amp suppliers in your country. If you have a choice go with the thinnest version of the material you can find. The corners on the gerstner will be tighter than the average guitar amp.

 

[pocosso]

Guys, one question, you can see in the wood there are the marks of the lines decorating the Leatherette, how can I do, once covered, to apply those lines? Are these done with some kind of hot metal?