I thought I might tag on to this thread with some recent work I've been doing on a couple of pitiful FW cases, one from 1929 and one from 1950 (IIRC). They both had the material loose from the boxes, and were discolored and shabby with scratches etc. I wasn't into a complete strip and redo yet. so
[ATTACH=CONFIG]487697[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]487698[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]487699[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]487700[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]487701[/ATTACH]
Basically just using Elmer's white glue and a wet finger or sponge to rebond the tattered edges. I changed the order and bonded the bottom material first and the side material over it. The factory used the reverse order, therefore the sides were in better shape than the bottom. Even the tattered corners and tears elsewhere were just white glued back down. Even the interiors. The finger or sponge or plastic glue spatula can work out the bubbles. Afterwards, I used an idea from a Joe Miller post and used black shoe polish, the liquid black for scuffs and sole edges, to reblacken them. I guess I could use clear something over that, but they do look a whole lot better, IMO.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]487703[/ATTACH] Now if I can find a pair of the top latches for the older case...