The PHILCO Phorum

Last week I stopped in to a local shop that usually has a few old radios. I saw this one and got it for $12 (down from $20).

https://flic.kr/p/np3Doz
and
https://flic.kr/p/nHjmGK

It's dirty, but appears to be intact and I hope to be able to clean it up and use it as a daily driver after refurb. The Photo Gallery blurb on this radio says it has a leatherette cover. What is leatherette, i.e. what is it made of? I'm sure it isn't real leather, but is it rubber or some kind of synthetic material?

Also, what is the best way to clean up leatherette without damaging it?

Thanks
Jon

I am not sure but I think if is tolex. Pleather as I call it

From Wikipedia:

"Leatherette is a form of artificial leather, usually made by covering a fabric base with plastic. The fabric can be made of a natural or a synthetic fibre which is then covered with a soft PVC layer."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherette#Leatherette

Further reading:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/leatherette

http://ask.cars.com/2011/06/what-are-the...rette.html

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/02/04/leathe...ou-choose/

And there's more...Bing (not Crosby in this case) is your friend. Or Google. Or DuckDuckGo.

If at all possible with the Rexine or leatherette I just use warm soapy water on a cloth with firm pressure but on heavily soiled cases the need of a cream cleaner can be useful. Various polishes can be used when the case has been cleaned to bring back a nice lustre or shine including standard furniture polishes, liquid beeswax used sparingly or car interior cream polishes. A small hand brush and old toothbrush can often be useful with Fairy Liquid or cream cleaner to get stubborn stains off. Although the Rexine or leatherette covers on the wood case are well stuck on caution is needed not to get too wet while cleaning as lifting can occur specially at the edges, it is fairly common to see some lifting of the edges due to the original adhesive drying out but with care these can be stuck back down.

Thanks guys.