Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

big kurka

big kurka

Active member
First off before you guys say to use tolex glue let me say there is no store around here where I live that has is. So for the those that use tolex to cover their amps and cabs, what type of glue do you guys use???? I read and read and many different threads about building cabs and covering them but they never really mentioned the type of glue they used. Some said to they used 3M M77 spray glue, some said it worked good and others said it sucked. A couple also said they used wood glue or white glue with so so results. Then I read that a great substitute for tolex glue was a water based general purpose vinyl flooring glue for your local hardware store. Well I used the flooring glue and I'm sad to say I'm not happy with it. The glue took forever to setup and dry to actually hold the tolex in place. Also I'm not sure how it happend but my tolex seems to have shrunk a tad exposing my main seem on the bootom of my cab. Thank god it was on the bottom. So what knid of glue do you guys use? ? ? ? ? ? Thanks Big Kurka
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

Contact cement works fine, like the 3M spray stuff. Just make sure to follow the instructions, and that the wood doesn't absorb it all.
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

"Tolex glue" is just water based laminate glue. You can pick some up at any counter top (or home center) store.

Just make sure you don't get old stock. The shelf life is about a year.
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

big kurka said:
Thanks Ayrton I'll go check my local home depot.
Click to expand...

I would caution you to check for the "sell by date" at HD or Lowes.

Wilsonart H2O is what you will find (that is what you want), but if it is much past the date, it will be separated and no good.

Hybond 30 or Formica F160 will also work just fine.

In fact, the "tolex glue" that Mojo sells is most likely Hybond 30.
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

Ayrton said:
I would caution you to check for the "sell by date" at HD or Lowes.

Wilsonart H2O is what you will find (that is what you want), but if it is much past the date, it will be separated and no good.

Hybond 30 or Formica F160 will also work just fine.

In fact, the "tolex glue" that Mojo sells is most likely Hybond 30.
Click to expand...

Is there a good technique for holding folded tolex in place while it dries - like in the backs of open back combos?

Also, this would be a good thread to display some of the cabs you've retolexed. I love how they've all turned out.:cool2:
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

The glue works like contact cement, you apply to both the tolex and cab, then let it "flash" for about 10-20 minutes (depending on weather).

Once you stick, it is stuck.

Now for tight corners, or seams, I use super glue. :D

I have one more head/cab combo to go. I am doing my JTM45 in white.
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

The once you stick it, it's stuck part scares me. This will be my second time covering. The first time didn't go to well. The final out come was ok, but if I wasn't able to reposition the tolex it would have turned out really bad.

I must say Ayrton I've read many of your threads and your work is outstanding.
What would happen if you didn't let the glue flash or only let it flash for a very short time like 5 min???
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

The longer you let it flash, the faster it sticks. You will kinda get a feel for it as you go.

The water based stuff is more forgiving than solvent based.

The glue goes on white, and turns clear as it flashes. The "wet" becomes dry to the touch and "tacky".

I like to mark the back side with layout lines. That way once I have it glued up and ready to apply, I can lay it exactly where I want it.

That make sense?
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

It's a good idea to test whatever adhesive you are using on a scrap piece of wood first; tolex from different suppliers react differently with adhesives. Some will cause the tolex to shrink significantly over a 24 hour period.

I cut a 2" square piece of tolex, scribe a 2" square box on whatever wood I'm using, go through my normal gluing process and observe the "fit" after 24 hours whenever I've sourced tolex from a different supplier.
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

Ayrton said:
The glue works like contact cement, you apply to both the tolex and cab, then let it "flash" for about 10-20 minutes (depending on weather).

Once you stick, it is stuck.

Now for tight corners, or seams, I use super glue. :D

I have one more head/cab combo to go. I am doing my JTM45 in white.
Click to expand...

This. ^^^^^^^
Sure-Stick and other names of wall paper paste work just fine. The trick is as described above, including corners.
Elmer's wood glue also works fine.
Again, you just have to hit the surfaces evenly with glue, put it down, then pull it back and let it tack up for a few minutes.
good luck
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

big kurka said:
Ok so my tolex came yesterday and I was going to try this this glue http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100174435/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=contact+cement&storeId=10051

Do you think this will be good???

Thanks again everyone! Big Kurka
Click to expand...

I trust opinions on this forum as much as anyone, but I wouldn't ignore the very negative reviews for this product on Home Depot's website.

That said, you never really know if those reporting bad experiences followed the application instructions.
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

big kurka said:
Ok so my tolex came yesterday and I was going to try this this glue http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100174435/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=contact+cement&storeId=10051

Do you think this will be good???

Thanks again everyone! Big Kurka
Click to expand...

That is water based laminate glue, but again it is probably too old and that is why it did not stick (bad reviews).

You really have to try a counter top or kitchen place that will have fresh stock.

That or just order a quart from MojoTone.
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

Yeh I read that review also. I was kinda figuring that the guy didn't know how to use it properly (the flashing part). I would order it from mojo's but I kinda what to work on the cab this weekend and the glue wouldn't be here soon enough. I guess it time to go to the yellow pages. Thanks again. Big Kurka
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

Well I contacted DAP about the production date of the contact cement I asked about. According to DAP this cement was manufactured Sep. 13. I read a few "how to's" about water based contact cement and they said you have to really let it flash alot longer than no water based. It was recomended to let it flash for 30 - 40 minutes. I've tried calling several couter top shops and non had water based CC. So I've decided to try this stuff. It can turn out any worse than my first cab I did, It's been drying for a week now and it still tacky. Wish me luck
 
Re: Help ! ! ! Glue for tolex

Good Luck, Big Kurka,
hope it all works out well for I will be doing it to an amp cabinet head in a couple of weeks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Z
NAD that ended in tragedy
2 3
Replies
44
Views
1K
ehdwuld
ehdwuld
C
New Rat Day
Replies
3
Views
319
Chistopher
C
ehdwuld
Candy Apple Indonesian Squire Upgrades
2
Replies
23
Views
318
magillver
magillver
blakejcan
Paisley top help needed
2 3
Replies
40
Views
1K
Securb
Securb
xxxplorer
Played a Peavey JSX and XXX cab
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
Fender_Punk
Fender_Punk
Back
Top