Amp Cleaning: The Exterior

Question:  I have a Peavey Classic 50 - pretty much, it's a Fender Twin rip-off...looks just as cool, sounds just as good, but costs half.  Killer.   But I only mention that so you can get a visual of the amp in your head.   Here's where my question comes in.  I'd like to clean the chrome panel where all the knobs are, but every time I've rubbed any of the dirt away, it seems like the white-colored numbers and notches rub off as well - and I obviously don't want that to happen.  What's the best way of cleaning said panel without removing all the white "ink"?

And for the record, I like my amplifier looking dirty - but I want to make sure I can read my settings a little easier, so one good cleaning (bought it used) should suffice.  

Really?  Nobody's cleaned a similar amp before, and has any advice?

Leave it as is and rock with the dirt!

Oh believe me, there are cigarette burns, tears in the fabric, the whole nine yards...and it sounds great.  I just want to clear up the panel a bit without rubbing off the numbers.

2 parts goat's blood + 1 part baking soda will get it right out.

In other words, I bring nothing to the table.

 Use one of those 3M cleaning cloths.  They will take off the chunky stuff.

On a side note.....my amp is getting really loud when I'm not playing.  How would a guy clean out the tube sockets. 

Use a sharpie to redraw the settings!!

Ok no have no idea man.......

I guess don't use any chemicals but maybe some vinegar or lemon water would help......or a ph neutral soap......

pumarolo:

Use a sharpie to redraw the settings!!

Ok no have no idea man.......

I guess don't use any chemicals but maybe some vinegar or lemon water would help......or a ph neutral soap......

Haha!  Yeah, a sharpie...or maybe one of those Chinese markers? 

Etch it into the metal

Toddah:

Etch it into the metal

Good call!  

Get some blue 1" 3M masking tape.

The blue stuff is a little more, but its worth it.

Mask off the numbers in a semi-circle pattern, pressing only the outer edge of the tape.

Clean with a dish sponge (or use the abrasive side for the tough stuff ) using warm water with a little Dawn.

Remove the tape and spot clean with a small toothbrush.

For duct tape residue, use rubbing alchohol and a clean cotton cloth.

Good luck. 

cletus:

Get some blue 1" 3M masking tape.

The blue stuff is a little more, but its worth it.

Mask off the numbers in a semi-circle pattern, pressing only the outer edge of the tape.

Clean with a dish sponge (or use the abrasive side for the tough stuff ) using warm water with a little Dawn.

Remove the tape and spot clean with a small toothbrush.

For duct tape residue, use rubbing alchohol and a clean cotton cloth.

Good luck. 

Holy crap - that was quite detailed.  THANK YOU!  

lmichelutti:

Holy crap - that was quite detailed.  THANK YOU!  

So, did it work? 

cletus:

lmichelutti:

Holy crap - that was quite detailed.  THANK YOU!  

 

 

So, did it work? 

Yes and no.  The letters still started to come off a bit.  So I stopped at the moment.  I might literally just etch my settings into the metal and wipe it down.  If the numbers remove, big deal, I guess.  I'd rather have them on there, but whatever.

Could the knobs be swapped out with some Fender-style numbers-on knobs and then just etch a mark above each knob?

Can I say knob any more in this post?

Knob? 

I guess so.