What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

[krankguitarist]

see above .

Thinkin bout taking the crappy, frayed carpet covering off my pedalboard and putting on some nice leather grain tolex. Ya'll got any suggestions?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

Well, most people will tell you water-based contact cement but I had a lot of trouble with it when I covered my amp. Even when it seemed to be properly dried, it didn't stick right, and I ended up having to clamp it and wait. In the end, it has stayed on, but It was touch and go there for a while.

On the other hand, "real" contact cememt is nasty stuff - volatile, toxic, and flammable. Unless you have a wide-open ventilated space to work in (or better yet, a respirator) you're better off sticking with the water-based stuff.

Avoid the spray cans - they just don't stick very well.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

5 minute epoxy worked good for me. You will never be able to get it back off of the board if you use it.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

I've tried that 3M Industrial strength spray glue and it was a headache.

The best luck I've had is with Linoleum paste glue that comes in those little tubs, made for laying down tile and linoleum. It's a white pasty glue and you've got to spread it really thin, and make sure you sand your wood surfaces with a vibration sander first, so there's no lumps at all. That stuff holds tolex or ozite down perfectly.

With spray glue, all your corners and bent areas come loose, and it's infuriating.

 

[rog951]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

Mojo sells their own formulation of glue that they use making their cabs. It's supposed to be pretty forgiving; there's a decent amount of time before it sets. I've never used it myself though, so I can't be too adamant about the recommendation!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

I use this stuff called Tear Mender. It's a latex glue and a type of contact cement but it's differant. Any excess rubs right off...even off of tweed. You just rub it real fast with your hand and it balls up and cleans right up. But it sticks like crazy to the unsealed backside of the covering. Great stuff!

Bruce from Mission Amps turned me onto it.

http://www.tearmender.com/FAQ.htm

Lew

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

I was lookin at the mojo stuff, but at 30 bucks a quart I'm thinking I'll look elsewhere . Thats about how much I spent on the tolex itself...

Looked into the tear mender stuff, though I cant seem to find it in quantities larger than 6 oz. Not that I've ever done this before, but that just doesn't sound like it'll be enough. Eh, maybe just buy a couple of em.

I'll look into the water-based contact cement and the linoleum paste next time I hit up the hardware store. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[rog951]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

I was lookin at the mojo stuff, but at 30 bucks a quart I'm thinking I'll look elsewhere . Thats about how much I spent on the tolex itself...

Wow! I had no idea it was that expensive! :banghead:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What kind of glue should I use for re-tolexing?

I bought that linoleum glue in a little white tub at Home Depot for about $5.
It's in the same section as the vinyl and tile floor coverings.

It also works great for applying ozite fuzzy covering to pedalboards because it doesn't soak in. I can pull pedals off the ozite without it coming up.