Grill Cloth Restoration - Product Review..
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City: Kentucky
As you all know, I've been working on an old GE radio. The radio and the grill cloth were filthy. Mud, dirt, grease.. you name it. Seventy-five years of accumulated crude. When I removed the grill cloth, I could see that it was in decent shape, fabric wise. No holes, no thin spots, no snags... but very, very, dirty. I picked out new cloth and planned to replace it.
The other day I was at the refinishing store, and I noticed a product made by Mohawk, called ZipKleen II. It's labeled as an upholstery, Rug and Fabric cleaner. I love Mohawk products, so today, I drove back over there and bought some.
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
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Joined: Jul 2013
City: Kentucky
The instructions say to cover the fabric with a terrycloth rag or paper towel, and spray. Tamp with a sponge or cloth to remove the spot.
Well, as you can see, I tried that. It didn't work out so well.
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
Posts: 761
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City: Kentucky
Time to get more aggressive! 8) I sprayed the product directly onto the grill cloth, then rubbed it with a paper towel. I used medium pressure, and I cleaned in the direction of the grain of the cloth. As you can see, dirt began to come off.
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
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City: Kentucky
Here are the final results. Pretty amazing if you ask me. I worked around the entire cloth, doing 3 inch sections at one time. It took me about 30 minutes, and I had to go over it several times, before the cleaning cloth showed no dirt. It won't repair faded or torn cloth, but it will clean the heck out of it. I used Scott's "Rag's" paper towels. I can now use this grill cloth in the radio.
Mohawk ZipKleen II isn't cheap. I paid $17 for the can. I used about 10% of the contents. Considering the cost of new grill cloth, it's a bargain. The can says "Removes tar, grease, oil, adhesive tape, gum, etc., from the finest of fabrics".
I give it a thumbs up. 
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
(This post was last modified: 10-18-2013, 12:27 PM by Jamie.)
Posts: 761
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Joined: Jul 2013
City: Kentucky
Just to illustrate the difference. Top photo is what it looked like before. Bottom is after using ZipKleen. It's a good product. Original grill cloth can make or break a set...
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
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Joined: Aug 2013
City: Petaluma, CA
Absolutely beautiful! I learn so much by following your step by step procedures. And you really crank them out!!!
Craig R.
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Joined: Mar 2012
City: Riverside, CA
Great job! Always good to hear about new ways to clean grill cloth for which there is no reproduction being made.
Posts: 13,776
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City: Ferdinand
State, Province, Country: Indiana
WOW!  Fantastic!
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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Joined: Jun 2011
City: Chicago,illinois
Nice job...have to keep this in mind.
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Joined: Jul 2013
City: Horsham, PA
Amazing job!! I can only hope to be able to that quality of work one day.
Jon
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City: Clayton, NC
Very nice job!
Color me VERY impressed!!!
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City: Kentucky
Hey, thanks everyone. I only hope my chassis work is up to snuff. We'll find out Monday when the new ballast tube shows up.
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
Posts: 139
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Joined: Aug 2013
City: Central PA
Wow! What nice work! I think it's really great to preserve and save these little bits of history for another generation. I especially appreciate your step by step restorations as well - what a great way for the rest of s to learn. Thank you!
Eric
Posts: 403
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Joined: Feb 2011
City: McPherson, KS
Nice nice!!
Wish I had a Mohawk distributor close. I've used an upholstery cleaner called "Tuff Stuff." Works great on car floor mats, house carpet spots, etc. Wonder if it would be good for grille cloth? Anybody tried it?
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Joined: Jul 2013
City: Kentucky
You can mail order it. I got mine at Cincinnati Color on Dalton St, in Cincinnati, Ohio. I believe they will send it to you if you call them.
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
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