I am replacing grill cloth on a console radio and I noticed that the original cloth was glued down to a board. How can I re-glue the new piece of fabric and maintain equal tension.

Tim,

Here's how I do it.....

Get a piece of scrap plywood or even heavy cardboard.
Lay the new grillecloth face down on the wood or cardboard surface and gently stretch it so it is taught and staple or pin the cloth to the work surface around it's periphery. As you are stretching the cloth make sure that all lines, chevrons etc remain straight and parallel.

Spray a good adhesive (3M is good) on the face of the backerboard then CAREFULLY lay the sticky backerboard on the pinned down cloth paying mind to keeping the edges of the backerboard parallel to the design lines in the cloth.

Put a couple of heavy books on top of the whole thing overnight.

remove the bookweights and staples/pins and trim the cloth with scissors to the edges of the backboard.

That's it. Perfect job you've got there Tim.

I thought adhesives require that both surfaces have the compound applied to it, hence it sticks to each other. I have found that adhesives and such tend to discolor the thin rayon/silk type grill cloths that people are selling now as replacements. Any ideas?

The method I describes is one I have used for several years. Usually with replacement grillecloth that I have purchased from such places as Antique Electronic Supply or Radio Daze etc. I have noticed no discoloration, also - the cloth I have purchased does not seem particularly thin to me.

The adhesive I use (3M Super 77) works very well when sprayed on only the backerboard. I do NOT ever spray the cloth directly. I spray the backerboard, let the adhesive air dry long enough to get tacky (a minute or so), then apply the board to the stretched cloth.

The instructions on the can do not say to spray both surfaces....I never have.

I have read that you spray both pieces. BUT, it was for headliners in cars that had the foam backing. Thanks for the comments as I am about to embark on the "replacing the grille cloth" journey as well.

:The method I describes is one I have used for several years. Usually with replacement grillecloth that I have purchased from such places as Antique Electronic Supply or Radio Daze etc. I have noticed no discoloration, also - the cloth I have purchased does not seem particularly thin to me.
:
:The adhesive I use (3M Super 77) works very well when sprayed on only the backerboard. I do NOT ever spray the cloth directly. I spray the backerboard, let the adhesive air dry long enough to get tacky (a minute or so), then apply the board to the stretched cloth.
:
:The instructions on the can do not say to spray both surfaces....I never have.

One problem I am having with that idea is that my fabric is the same size as my backing board. To go over size would require a lot more $$$. I guess I could staple the outer edges and then trim that off of the board after it was glued.

Tim,
Here is one solution I discovered working on an RCA console. Use thin cardboard cut an exact duplicate of the backboard. Match drill/punch all mounting holes for backboard screws. Align and glue cloth just around the outer front face of the cardboard, especially over the mounting holes, which will be hidden after mounting. Use a sharp object to punch through the cloth at the holes. Do not use drill or twist motion, as this will disturb the weave pattern. Temporairly mount the cardboard/cloth to the cabinet and verify the pattern/placement. New holes can be punched if alignment is slightly off. Trim the cloth to eliminate wraparound, and glue to back board or staple to cabinet, aligning any new holes. If possible cut a relief in the cloth around every screw hole, otherwise screw installation may twist cloth and upset the weave/pattern.

marv

:One problem I am having with that idea is that my fabric is the same size as my backing board. To go over size would require a lot more $$$. I guess I could staple the outer edges and then trim that off of the board after it was glued.

:I am replacing grill cloth on a console radio and I noticed that the original cloth was glued down to a board. How can I re-glue the new piece of fabric and maintain equal tension.

Tim: Dennis is leading you down the right path. I too have used this method for some 25 years. I use Plywood to staple the cloth to but I do use wax paper between the grille cloth and plywood. The 3M adhesive is good, you can even use a thin coat of varnish applied to the old radio backboard. I built a special clamping device for this purpose that enables me to apply about 150 lbs of pressure. Good Luck.

I have found that for smaller table radio grill cloth that I can get very good results by first applying a clear glue "FabriTack" available in cloth & sewing type craft stores. This really works nicely. I glue the inside of the radio wood area with a bead of Fabritak then I gently place the fabric down prefferably top or bottom edges first and simplly hold it with one hand as I pull the other side down slightly taught and press in place and as the glue is grabbing I apply gentle opposing tension east-west and north/south etc. The glue sets up quickly is clear and is made for fabric.

I like to staple it sometimes but this can be a problem manuvering the opened stapler in place in the tight quarters and I have had the heartbreak once of having the staple protrude through thin wood as I failed to think about that in advance. Now I avoid such things if I can get away with just fabic glue.

Peter: This may possibly be an option for you with small radios that do not have "backing boards" for grill cloth.
I usually cut a piece of "formica" (black color is best) to fit the grille area of the radio with as much overlap as space permits. I then stretch and glue my grill cloth to this formica. Since the formica very durable, thin, and stiff it is then easily attached to the inside of the radio with either glue, screws, etc.
I use a scroll saw to cut the formica pattern.
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:I like to staple it sometimes but this can be a problem manuvering the opened stapler in place in the tight quarters and I have had the heartbreak once of having the staple protrude through thin wood as I failed to think about that in advance. Now I avoid such things if I can get away with just fabic glue.