What Is Vinyl Tolex?

Use of Branded Tolex

• Tolex material was a heavy vinyl with a marginally more rubbery consistency than regular vinyl. It was used as an external covering for amplifier and speaker cabinets, for example on the products of such industry leaders as Fender, Marshall and Peavey Electronics. The mistaken belief that it was manufactured by an automotive supplier came from its also being frequently used to make the exterior vinyl car covers called tonneau tops.

Who Owns the Tolex Brand?

• At time of publication, neither the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information nor the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office has the Tolex brand registered as being associated with any corporate entity.

Tolex’ Attributes

• Much like vacuum cleaners becoming known as “Hoovers” in the United Kingdom, the generic name “Tolex” is often a misapplied use of GenCorp’s patent. Even heavier vinyls, such as Naugahyde -- a material developed for the furniture industry -- are extremely stretchy and thus prone to tearing. This is not seen as an attribute in industries such as the performing arts, where equipment is tossed in and out of transports on a regular basis.

  Aside from its resistance to tearing, the outer surface of Tolex was very resistant to moisture. Further, it had a hard-wearing fabric back intended specifically for gluing to the substrate; vinyls with foam backs -- as is the norm -- absorb glue before it sticks.

Obtaining Vinyl Similar to Tolex

• Material similar in strength, and possessing the lip welt that made Tolex so popular, is sold in stores aimed at both the music industry and the automotive industry; suppliers to the latter typically sell the same material at a much lower cost. Similar heavy material is also stocked for manufacturers and refinishers of motorcycle seats, diner booths and carnival ride booths.