Cleaning original grill cloth - Printable Version

+- The PHILCO Phorum (https://philcoradio.com/phorum)
+-- Forum: Philco Radio Discussions (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Philco Cabinet Restoration (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=9)
+--- Thread: Cleaning original grill cloth (/showthread.php?tid=4071)

---

Cleaning original grill cloth - BDM - 12-26-2011

So what are your techniques for successfully cleaning grill cloth that is in good shape, but may need a little cleaning?

---

Re: Cleaning original grill cloth - codefox1 - 12-26-2011

Much has been said about this, and much to be learned. Pretty much dyes are not water soluble, but may be bleached to white by the sun if so exposed. Nicotine and grease may be dissolved by alcohol, but no guarantee; dust by clean water and maybe a little detergent. May/will shrink, so make sure you have at least 10% reserve. Very little original or matching cloth available nowadays.

---

Re: Cleaning original grill cloth - BDM - 12-26-2011

Yes that is what I'm afraid of. The current state of replacement cloth has me re-thinking what to do

---

Re: Cleaning original grill cloth - Dan Walker - 01-03-2012

I have taken some of my grill cloth and sprinkled baby powder on it. Use a soft tooth brush to work the powder into the fabric. Leave it for a day or so and vacuum the cloth with the brush attachment. The baby powder absorbs a lot of the grease and so forth.
I think you will find that the cloth comes out a lot brighter..

---

Re: Cleaning original grill cloth - Arran - 01-04-2012

I knew a fellow that used to have them dry cleaned, at least the ones in consoles. Dry cleaners use perchloroethylene as far as I know so if you could get ahold of some of that it may work. I cleaned a grille cloth in a late 1950s radio last year using gojo and a soft tooth brush, and then rinsed it aff and let it air dry, it was glued to plywood and I did not remove it.
Regards
Arran

---