Hi All, been trying to cover a wooden radio with cloth, well you would think that old 77 spray glue would be just fine but I must have a bad can. The cloth just peels off after a couple days of drying. I've tried wood glue and other glues same thing, I really don't want to use contact cement because you have to basically paint it on both surfaces and the cloth is flimsy and I don't want lumps. If anybody has a sure fire method for doing this I sure would like to hear it. Many Thanks, George T PS this is my first covered project. Old dogs new tricks!!!!

:Hi All, been trying to cover a wooden radio with cloth, well you would think that old 77 spray glue would be just fine but I must have a bad can. The cloth just peels off after a couple days of drying. I've tried wood glue and other glues same thing, I really don't want to use contact cement because you have to basically paint it on both surfaces and the cloth is flimsy and I don't want lumps. If anybody has a sure fire method for doing this I sure would like to hear it. Many Thanks, George T PS this is my first covered project. Old dogs new tricks!!!!
:

Does the cloth peel off WITH the adhesive residue, or without it? If the residue sticks to the wooden case but not the fabric, I would guess that there is some contaminant in the cloth- such as flame retardant- that is preventing a good bond. Laundering it with a strong detergent might improve the bond.

If the residue sticks to the cloth but NOT to the cabinet, the wood is probably impregnated with a contaminant- furniture polish, ArmorAll or similar "protective" chemical. These can be removed with acetone followed by a denatured alcohol rinse.

I've used 3M Super "77" for years on light bonding projects (mostly paper on paper) and it works well enough. You could also try its "big brother", 3M Automotive Trim Spray Adhesive. Although it is a contact adhesive (you have to spray it on both surfaces to be bonded, then let them dry), it is designed for automotive headliners and other car interior fabric bonding, so it should work well for your purpose. I use it for bonding thin wood veneer to radio cases, and it works great- instant "grab", smooth finish, and permanent bond.

::Hi All, been trying to cover a wooden radio with cloth, well you would think that old 77 spray glue would be just fine but I must have a bad can. The cloth just peels off after a couple days of drying. I've tried wood glue and other glues same thing, I really don't want to use contact cement because you have to basically paint it on both surfaces and the cloth is flimsy and I don't want lumps. If anybody has a sure fire method for doing this I sure would like to hear it. Many Thanks, George T PS this is my first covered project. Old dogs new tricks!!!!
::
:
:Does the cloth peel off WITH the adhesive residue, or without it? If the residue sticks to the wooden case but not the fabric, I would guess that there is some contaminant in the cloth- such as flame retardant- that is preventing a good bond. Laundering it with a strong detergent might improve the bond.
:
:If the residue sticks to the cloth but NOT to the cabinet, the wood is probably impregnated with a contaminant- furniture polish, ArmorAll or similar "protective" chemical. These can be removed with acetone followed by a denatured alcohol rinse.
:
:I've used 3M Super "77" for years on light bonding projects (mostly paper on paper) and it works well enough. You could also try its "big brother", 3M Automotive Trim Spray Adhesive. Although it is a contact adhesive (you have to spray it on both surfaces to be bonded, then let them dry), it is designed for automotive headliners and other car interior fabric bonding, so it should work well for your purpose. I use it for bonding thin wood veneer to radio cases, and it works great- instant "grab", smooth finish, and permanent bond.
:
Hi, I think I will get the auto bond spray and use it with the RTV in the corners. The 3M-77 was sticking to the wood but not the fabric. I've been testing it on a scrap piece of wood. I already did one radio out of the two needing done and I put a vinyl on it but was able to hold it down with lots of staples. I'm using cloth on this one and it has sections of different colors so staples are not an option. I think I will wash it down as mentioned earlier before covering, it sure can't hurt. I did remove the old cloth and it is down to bare wood. I would have let the old cloth on and recovered it but it had been damaged probably by a cat using it as a scratching post and of course marking his territory. Lots of damaged wood on this one. I think my other problem was heat, I did the first one outside in 120 degree plus weather and I know contact cement loosens up in high temp weather. You know it is funny the radios you think are going to be an easy fix turn out to be a nightmare. Thanks For Your Help, George T

:Hi All, been trying to cover a wooden radio with cloth, well you would think that old 77 spray glue would be just fine but I must have a bad can. The cloth just peels off after a couple days of drying. I've tried wood glue and other glues same thing, I really don't want to use contact cement because you have to basically paint it on both surfaces and the cloth is flimsy and I don't want lumps. If anybody has a sure fire method for doing this I sure would like to hear it. Many Thanks, George T PS this is my first covered project. Old dogs new tricks!!!!
: Try using some RTV spread REAL thin after sanding down the wood case very lightly. The sanding helps the RTV to stick better because of a rough surface. Probably don't have to do the entire case & covering totally, just in a lot of important places like corners & edges. Do it very thin though. Even a light coat will do as much good as a heavy coat--&--take less time to dry/cure. RTV is commonly known as silicone rubber. It will stand up under extreme heat & cold. I.E. remain flexible under a lot of variable temperature conditions. Even moisture in a basement. When you put the covering on, try not to stretch it too tight, just snug. Thats it!!!! RTV does NOT stretch but be on the safe side. When I say rub it on ,I mean use the palm of your hand or your finger tips & "paint it on". Rub it in to the wood & cloth as good as you can. I hope this will help you out at least a little bit.