Working with Tolex

[electra225]

I mentioned replacing the Tolex on a record player case. I found this video you might find interesting. I enjoy this guy's videos. Always well-explained and illustrated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGTd-UOU3l8

[hermitcrab]

I re-covered a H-500 Zenith Transoceanic with tolex , being able to dismantle the case greatly helped ... just used contact cement , turned out pretty good...

[electra225]

Technically, the material put on record players is not really vinyl like Tolex. It is like contact paper they used to line kitchen shelves with. Some kind of cheap paper. Tolex on a record player cabinet will be overkill. It may be the only product available. I can't find the contact paper stuff anyplace.

I'm glad to hear your experience with Tolex was positive. I believe I can do it. I'm going to give it a shot. I'll bet a professional Tolex installer, if there is such a person, might charge several hundred dollars to put Tolex on a record player cabinet.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I've been looking a for vinyl based paper for re-covering
hi-fi cabinets.

There might be some options at JoAnn, Michael's, and art supply stores.

My local art supply has some interesting products.
I'll report back if I find some good stuff, at reasonable prices.

Antique Electronic Supply has Tolex at reasonable prices,
but I don't want to use that heavy a materal.

[hermitcrab]

Not quite sure on what you mean overkill... tolex is not that thick maybe a couple mils...here is a example of a corner on the radio , that to me was the hardest part to get it to lie down ... otherwise it was pretty straight forward ...the picture of the zenith console i used contact paper for the ribs as I did not have any edge banding at the time ... I dabbed stain on the paper to try and match ... as you see I failed... fortunately I can just easily rip it back off ... I think the stuff you are talking about is the grey paper that is on the lid behind the wave magnet ... it is a paper with some kind of colored coating on it , it is pretty stiff , no idea what they used at the time...

[William]

Good Job, Elton. I have an RCA portable that needs redoing, when can you start.

Bill

[electra225]

The "overkill" comment I made was concerning the durability of Tolex vs. the paper material that was typically used on record player cabinets. The original paper material was easily damaged with water and even dampness. It would get dirty and stain, and it would bubble up and separate. It was not very durable. Tolex being a vinyl material should provide greater protection and durability. I reckon it would be accurately compared to the old enamel paint they put on cars in the 1950's vs. the base coat/clear coat urethanes used today. Are we then in agreement that Tolex is a correct and acceptable replacement for the paper material if the paper material can't be sourced? I think all it was was painted paper.