How to re-glue tolex?

[Okieactor]

I feel like there should have been a thread on this, but I couldn’t find it.

I have a 5e3 kit that I bought from an independent builder and it has some peeling tolex on the top seams.

Is there a recommended glue and method for trying to stick it back down?

 

[corliss1]

Any old white glue will work fine. Titebond, Elmers, whatever you've got. You likely don't want to get into contact cement for such a small area.

 

[dankilling]

I just use wood glue. Works well and easy cleanup

 

[Killing Floor]

Weldwood cement is what I use to cover cabs. Works like a charm.

 

[zook]

Any old white glue will work fine. Titebond, Elmers, whatever you've got. You likely don't want to get into contact cement for such a small area.

^^^ This. Even if the original is contact cement. I cover with contact cement, but it usually lifts where the overlap is. Titebond will seal it back down well. Use a wet paper towel to wipe off the squeezed out glue. You may need to tape the seam down with painter's tape until it cures.

 

[Milspec]

Elmers Glue-All

Works really well, just used it on an old speaker cab.

 

[Peegoo]

Work cleanly and the repair will look great. Here's how.

Gently press the loose Tolex down and carefully lay a strip of painter's tape right along the seam line on the portion of the bottom Tolex. Press it down firmly. Next, do the same on the upper secion...lay a strip of tape flush along the edge of the lifted Tolex. This will keep glue squeeze-out off the vinyl.

Use a small artist's brush to paint a thin layer of Titebond inside the lifted area. Try not to stretch the vinyl as you work. A good way is to slip a few round toothpicks into the damaged area to lift the material a little while you work. Use more glue than you need; you want excess glue to squeeze out because that ensures you have no dry areas.

Remove the toothpicks and gently press the loose material down, from the tight area toward the loose seam. Do not use too much pressure because you need some glue to remain in there; the idea is to push excess glue out. Wipe it up as you work.

Lastly, carefully dry everything off and lay a strip of tape along the seam, covering the two strips you previously applied. Allow it to dry for at least three days before carefully removing the tape.

 

[ETMusic777]

I literally just finished gluing down a small piece of tolex that flipped on the corner of my 67 Pro Reverb, with a dab of Super Glue, and then I saw this thread 5 min later.

 

[Jon Snell]

If you use petrolem based contact adhesive, you will never have trouble again.
I have tolex clad speaker and amplifier boxes that were covered back in 1980 and they show no signs of coming apart. All older cabinets used petroleum based adhesives.
Newer policy in factories is to use water based adhesives.
These do not last very long and come apart in damp atmosphere.

That's progress for you ... not!

 

[dogmeat]

good luck finding petroleum based contact adhesives these days. and the solvents are some ketone type (which may not be petro?). anyway, I've been looking for some since I ran out almost 2 years ago and all I found was one little bottle. maybe its different where you are but nada here.

 

[Peegoo]

Many makers used hide ("animal") glue to attach fabric/Tolex to their cabs. It's one of the reasons why some smell bad or get chewed on by mice and bugs. Same goes for stinky guitar cases.

 

[stormsedge]

I do not recommend spray glue, having had to do the overspray cleanup. But, I love this visual

 

[Dacious]

Hot glue works fine, and you can peel off any that escapes the join. But white PVA glue is good.

 

[schmee]

Yeah, regular wood glue works. Push it in there and then tape the seam with blue masking tape until it dries.
For small "peels" I often use thick CA glue, with the tape to hold it.
For small "peels" / hanging tolex divots, I have used black silicone sealant, or better; black polyurethane sealant. it will fill the missing part. Taped down with wax paper.

 

[Silverface]

I prefer contact cement. It remains pliable like Tolex and stays in place if bumped hard.

Many wood glues dry hard and stiff - a hard impact can loosen an edge glued down with a hard-drying wood glue. And don't use hide or fish glue - they dry VERY stiff and hard. Great for wood joints, lousy for soft Tolex.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Re-gluing tolex is totally different from gluing tolex.
Getting tolex to stick to wood is easy; getting a layer of unknown adhesive to stick to another is a different story.
I'd start with trying to clean both surfaces with naphtha.

 

[Okieactor]

I did the painter’s tape on both sides, wood glue, and then tape over the gap. It looks very clean so far. I also left books lying right next to the seams overnight after removing the tape, just in case. Looks really good right now. We’ll see how it lasts. The rest of the tolex is not perfect anyway, and it’s a black/grey 5e3, so there’s a chance one day I’ll get motivated and do it in tweed.

 

[Okieactor]

Thanks, everyone for the help.