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Old 5th Jan 2023, 5:04 pm   #1
DMcMahon
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Default Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Have just purchased two Elizabethan LZ34 reel to reel tape recorders, generally both are in a fairly tatty condition, particularly the wooden lids that have a leatherite/ faux leather covering.

After some elbow grease with some cleaning products have got one lid looking a lot cleaner, but there still remains some very stubborn marks/stains on the off white/light grey leatherite.

Yet to try any leather cleaning/restoring cream but was wondering if anybody has tried painting the leatherite covering.

David
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Old 5th Jan 2023, 8:00 pm   #2
vidjoman
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

If it’s similar to Rexine then I’ve used a leather restorative product. It’s a bit like paint and I applied it with a small paint roller and gave it two coats with a weeks drying between them, to get a good finish. It takes a while to dry but looks good when finished. It also has the feel and look of new Rexine. I did try using a satin paint, also using a roller, but it tends to clog the texture of Rexine.
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Old 5th Jan 2023, 9:34 pm   #3
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

I use acrylic car paint. NOT enamel or two pack. It comes out perfect.

Joe
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Old 5th Jan 2023, 10:10 pm   #4
DMcMahon
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Yes similar to Rexine.

I am not sure exactly what the material covering actually is, I think I saw "Leatherite" referenced somewhere in the Elizabethan documentation.

David
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Old 5th Jan 2023, 11:08 pm   #5
paulsherwin
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Leatherette is just vinyl, though you shouldn't assume that that's what it is. These terms are used very roughly.
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Old 6th Jan 2023, 1:45 pm   #6
DMcMahon
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Is Leatherette and Leatherrite different names for the same material product ? or is Leatherrite just a trade name for leather cleaner ?

David
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Old 6th Jan 2023, 2:00 pm   #7
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Sorry, my mistake. I misread the name.
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Old 6th Jan 2023, 4:03 pm   #8
Uncle Bulgaria
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Leatherette is plastic (vinyl) masquerading as leather. I've not heard of LeatherRite before, but a quick search suggests it's a trade name for some kind of leather restoration product, as you surmise.

Rexine is nitrocellulose-covered fabric (or occasionally paper) with a grained finish. Now out of production from hazardous materials and being a fire risk. I've found the closest current replacement is 'leathercloth' as used for bookbinding.

It's possible that painting your covering will give different results depending on what the material is. If it's a leatherette vinyl, then there are lots of vinyl paints out there. Rexine might be a different kettle of fish, but probably worth a try if you don't want to replace it and the alternative is to leave unsightly stains.
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Old 8th Jan 2023, 4:23 pm   #9
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

I've had success with shoe cream. What used to be called "Meltonian"
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Old 8th Jan 2023, 4:41 pm   #10
Andrewausfa
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paint-Leath...st_sto_dp&th=1

Huge variety of colours

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Old 8th Jan 2023, 5:52 pm   #11
vidjoman
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

I don't think 25ml is going to cover a record player case. I got mine off ebay in 100 or 250ml for not much more cost. Used about 100ml to do the red part of a Dansette. Not in the workshop at present - next time in there I'll look up the name.
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Old 8th Jan 2023, 8:46 pm   #12
DMcMahon
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Quote:
Originally Posted by DMcMahon View Post
Yes similar to Rexine.

I am not sure exactly what the material covering actually is, I think I saw "Leatherite" referenced somewhere in the Elizabethan documentation.

David
I have now seen a couple of Elizabethan refences to the material covering being Rexine, so maybe my memory of Leatherite (Leatherette) being referenced was incorrect.

David
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Old 9th Jan 2023, 6:00 pm   #13
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

I think there's a product called VinylDye which is for use on car interiors etc. I know some have had success using this on old computer cases, and on flexible vinyl seat covers .
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Old 10th Jan 2023, 4:52 pm   #14
Malcolm T
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Default Re: Leatherite Lid Cleaning/Painting

Not strictly radio but its allied to it in this way.
Leatherette is also found on camera bodies, well, the older cameras such as pre 2000s (real cameras) !.
Can be had in various colours and sizes for re covering camera bodies. My camera body is in bits and is in need of a make over LOL.
One UK supplier is here.
https://cameramill.co.uk/
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