Speaker cloth cleaning Cossor Melody Maker

[murphy512]

Can anyone suggest the best way for cleaning the speaker cloth of my Cossor?

[mark_in_manc]

I did a very similar cloth to this on a Cossor 501 (or is it 500 - the Bakelite one). I think I soaked mine off the back board (applying water sparingly and peeling back slowly, as I remember), washed it by hand with some washing powder - and it came up like new. I was less successful getting it back 'tight' on the board but I have been loathe to risk taking it off again for another go!

[David G4EBT]

It's hard to get much improvement without wetting it, and if you're going to remove and wet it, soapy water may work fine, but you might wish to use stain remover powder, which you add to warm water and is very effective. I use some from Poundland called 'Wizz Oxy' which is widely available.

Poundland now sell Vanish stain remover powder:

https://www.poundland.co.uk/astonish...BoC87YQAvD_BwE

You can buy spray stain remover, but it's meant to be sprayed onto fabrics before they're put in the washing machine.

One way or another, it's hard to get an effective result without wetting the fabric and wetting means some shrinkage. Best to not let it soak - remove it and damp it dry then let it fully dry at room temperature, rather than for example, ironing it.

When you've glued it back on the board, it might help to tighten it by using a hair dryer.

Hope that might help.

[Wellington]

Some previous threads here:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ead.php?p=8603

and here:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=41733

[Iangebbie]

With respect to re-gluing back on, (After washing or if replacing the cloth) use a spray on iron starch on the cloth, and use an iron at low heat, this will produce a flat cloth ready to glue, apply glue to the board, place cloth on board and use a hand roller to finish off.

Regards Ian G

[murphy512]

Thank you all,
I will try your suggestions
Aldo

[geffers]

Originally Posted by murphy512

Can anyone suggest the best way for cleaning the speaker cloth of my Cossor?

I have been restoring wireless sets since around 1991 and this is the best way so far that I have come up with for rejuvenating the speaker material.

You can see the outline of the clean material on your baffle board so just use a small paintbrush and use Evostik PVA waterproof glue to paint around the unseen edge about half inch wide......this stops the material from shrinking or releasing from the board when washed.

When the glue is dry and hard then wash the whole board in luke warm water with completely dissolved washing powder....you will see the dirt float off and after a while will look clean.....the board will not warp as it is made of ply with resorcinol glue holding the veneer layers together.

Don't leave in the water more than needed and rinse after then just let dry normally but not in front of fires or on hot radiators.

When washed the material probably will go flabby as it cannot move because of the waterproof glue but it will go taught again after it has dried thoroughly.

Please don't hold me responsible for any failures as this is only my own way of dealing with the problem.

[medge799]

At risk of drifting this topic a little; what glue do you use to reattach cloth to a baffle board? I was thinking a weak PVA solution. The cloth is new but in period (the old cloth was too far gone).
Thanks in advance...