Has anyone ever restored a Gillette case or know of anyone who could do such work? I'm talking about replacing the leather covering of the case and redoing the felt on the inside.
Case Restoration
- Thread starter LiveOak
- Start date
Good question. I've seen some ABC and pocket editions redone here and there. I've never seen anyone redo the leather on an old Single Ring or Double Ring box.
It seems to be pretty intricate work. I'm sure the materials can be had from a fabric or craft store.
It seems to be pretty intricate work. I'm sure the materials can be had from a fabric or craft store.
I have also seen some ABC cases redone, but I cannot locate the thread.
I'm interested to know about this as well, for my Old Type case and the interior for my Tuckaway case.
I re-did one. Silver pocket edition case, no razor. It had the embroidered Gillette logo. Took the case to the local fabric store and got a good match for the fabric. It's velvet, not felt. Cost $5 for a big piece, still some left over. You can use the old material to make a pattern. Anyway, I just pulled the old fabric of and put some Elmers on the tin plates, put the felt on top and held in place.
It turned out great, and wasn't tough at all.
Apologies, I have no before/after photos and I have since sold it.
It turned out great, and wasn't tough at all.
Apologies, I have no before/after photos and I have since sold it.
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Was the embroidered Gillette logo just a patch? And you just re-did the velvet and resewed the patch on the velvet?
Yes. It was an embroidered logo on separate material. It wasn't sewn on originally, I just glued it on. There are ways of making a stencil for fabirc for printed logos. Print logo onto label paper, cut out logo with exacto-blade. I've never done it, but I know it works.
Under the fabirc of these cases there is a thin tin plate. I just cleaned it off and gave it a thin coat of Elmer's glue. It doesn't take much, and if you over do it, excess glue will soak through. When it drys, apply glue along the edges of the backside and fold the material over. When that dries, cut off the excess fabric. Pop it back into place. Done.
I don't think I'd try to replace a leather exterior. I think in that case it would make more sense to re-condition as much as possible.
As a side note, if you intend to sell it you should let potential buyers know that it has been restored.
Under the fabirc of these cases there is a thin tin plate. I just cleaned it off and gave it a thin coat of Elmer's glue. It doesn't take much, and if you over do it, excess glue will soak through. When it drys, apply glue along the edges of the backside and fold the material over. When that dries, cut off the excess fabric. Pop it back into place. Done.
I don't think I'd try to replace a leather exterior. I think in that case it would make more sense to re-condition as much as possible.
As a side note, if you intend to sell it you should let potential buyers know that it has been restored.
I prefer 3M 77 spray adhesive. If you apply it to the tin and leave it for 5-10 minutes before applying the fabric you get a more permanent and waterproof bond without stiffening the fabric.
