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How do you clean and polish the leatherette type material on a portable machine? i am bought a 1927 Columbia Viva-Tonal model 160. The case is in excellent shape but the black color is dull and a bit dirty? I want to bring back the shine and the luster to the case work. Someone said you use black shoe polish but i wanted to make sure and ask people here first, Id hate to cause damage or ruin it.
If you have any before and after pictures of yours so i can see how it would look after id be greatfull.
Thanks all for your help.

Some people may cringe, but I've had great success with Armor All products (the stuff used for cleaning and polishing car interiors.) It comes as wipes or spray, I use the original.

Sorry, don't have any "before and after" pics, but as a collector of portables, I've done any number of these cases.
Firstly, make sure that what you are dealing with is fabric of some sort, as some of the cheaper portables used textured paper as a covering. First remove all exterior fittings, as you won't want water to seep underneath them.

Make up a solution of hot water with a generous helping of biological washing powder (amounts are not critical), and make sure you have an ample supply of absorbant kitchen towel to hand. Using an old stiff toothbrush, dip it in the solution, and scrub gently at a section about four inches square, using a circular motion. You will see a dirty brown mess appear almost immediately. Don't let this lay on the surface for more than a few seconds. Wipe off with the kitchen towel, and move on to another section. Go over the whole case, and then do the whole thing again. If there is still gunge coming off on the kitchen towel, keep doing this until all dirt is removed. At this stage the case will look really dull and lifeless. Leave for a day or so, until the covering is really dry, and then go over it with a soft cloth, at which point it will regain some of it's original sheen. Then apply black renovating shoe polish, leave for a few hours to dry, and buff up with a soft cloth or shoe brush. I think the Columbia 160 is the equivelant of the 113A, which was the British model. If it is, then the top and base will be padded. If there are any splits or holes in the covering over the padding, be careful not to let any water seep into the padding.

Barry

Shoe polish of the appropriate color.

Ok. I take it you use the paste and not the liquid type?

Brandon wrote:Some people may cringe, but I've had great success with Armor All products (the stuff used for cleaning and polishing car interiors.) It comes as wipes or spray, I use the original.

I cringe. I'd use dish liquid (diluted w/water) or any of the household spray cleaners like 409 or a newer, similar "green" product before I'd touch anything with Armor All, which made a real cracked mess of the vinyl dash on my '70 Dodge Dart. YRMV.

If it's a solid black I'd use black paste shoe polish rubbed in with a cloth then buffed with a brush. If it's one of those multi shaded imitation leather finishes I'd use a neutral shoe polish or paste furniture wax.

I clean them with GoJo, then shoe polish of the right color. I have to say though, that I leave some patina/scars, etc. I think it adds to the interest to see that the machine has been around a bit. Like my head, it's earned its gray hairs.

Henry wrote:I cringe. I'd use dish liquid (diluted w/water) or any of the household spray cleaners like 409 or a newer, similar "green" product before I'd touch anything with Armor All, which made a real cracked mess of the vinyl dash on my '70 Dodge Dart. YRMV.

Really? I never had a problem with it...

Thanks guys, i will clean it with the gojo first and let it dry good for a day and i will use the black shoe polish. Its not that bad realy just you can tell it needs a cleaning and it is dull.
Next thing is where do i get gaskets and stuff for the reproducer? i mostly collect and deal with Victor stuff so im new to he viva tonal machines.
It does sound great now but im sue it would be better with new gaskets and flange. Im not sure if this type uses the ball bearings like the Orthophonic type?