Vintage Tweed Water Damage Repair

[scstill]

Any thoughts about minimizing/removing the stain from years ago water damage to old tweed?
Without replacing the tweed.

Thinking some type of fabric nourishment might help.
It is not lacquered.

[sluckey]

Is that an old suitcase? Man, have you seen the new stuff out today? Some of them even have wheels!   

[acheld]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to carry that one around . . .  But I like the old school look!

As for mitigating the water stains, it's tough to do.  My method is to soak a small area with distilled (or RO) water, then dry it by dabbing it with a microfiber cloth repeatedly until the area is just damp.  You're actually trying the draw the dirt/stain out of the tweed into the microfiber.   Repeat as needed.  Need lots of microfiber cloth.

This does work -- of course depending on the stain -- but is tedious.   I have used various household detergents (dish soap is the safest) as well as diluted vinegar on occasion when desperate for a result. The key is the flood a small area at a time, and allow the microfiber to draw the water and dirt out.  If you do use a detergent, make sure you rinse the area well and dry it using the microfiber cloths.

Suggest trying this on an inconspicuous spot first.   Your mileage may vary!   Take care.

[shooter]

an "out there Idea"


since my 1st thought was "It looks like a desert landscape"
keep darkening n blending diluted oil paint til you have the desert "relief" painting 


for more pro tips, seek professional help 

[scstill]

It's a battery powered Zenith Radio
Very complete, waiting for restore.

The approach to portable music in the day.

Question - should it live on as an AM radio or a guitar amp?
Not technically, but from a preserve the past standpoint I always struggle with this.
I would use the amp and not so much the radio, But mostly for display either way.

[sluckey]

I'd fix the radio first and then decide. Either way I'd probably just accept the water stains as part of the patina.

[shooter]

I'm with Steve, once it works, you can decide to jack-in to the audio section, with an 8-track, or guitar.

[acheld]

OK, I give, that is a really cool looking piece.   It looked like a big suitcase when I first glanced at it.   

I agree, repair is the way to go.  A simple cleaning will suffice.

[bmccowan]

since my 1st thought was "It looks like a desert landscape"

I have A-Fib and my first thought was that it looks like my EKG.
Cool piece.