How do you repair a tambour roll top desk?
- Open the rolling top, and unscrew the straps on the back of the desk that hold the top section.
- Remove the tambour.
- Ensure that you have the loose slats properly aligned when you apply the new backing.
- Inspect the canvas backing that gives the tambour its flexibility.
How do you fix a tambour on a rolling desk?
Open the rolling top, and unscrew the straps on the back of the desk that hold the top section. Remove the tambour. Ensure that you have the loose slats properly aligned when you apply the new backing. Inspect the canvas backing that gives the tambour its flexibility. Click to see full answer.
How to fix a broken roll top desk?
The roll top on my desk was only broke into two sections, so I did not tear the old fabric off and re-position everything. If yours is broken in many pieces, though, it may be wise to take each section apart and glue it back onto the new fabric piece by piece.
How do you cut a roll top desk top?
Cut the fabric to be about four inches less than the width of your roll top and just slightly less than the length. The roll top on my desk was only broke into two sections, so I did not tear the old fabric off and re-position everything.
How do you repair a broken tambour cloth?
Trace around the old tambour onto the cloth using a pencil, making dots on the new tambour cloth where each slat is positioned, as a guide for gluing. Cut the new cloth along the traced lines using scissors. Skip to Step 8 if the cloth is fine but slats require more glue.
How do you fix slats on a roll top desk?
Brush glue over the lift bar and wrap the end of the tambour cloth around it. Nail and clamp the cloth in place. Then apply a thin layer of glue over the lift bar and the slats using a foam brush, or by squirting lines of glue randomly over the bar and slats, rolling it smooth with a paint roller.
How do I fix my tambour?
0:1010:32Tambour Door Gets a New Canvas Backing - Thomas Johnson Antique ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is a late 18th century English cabinet and it's in pretty good shape I need to take it apartMoreThis is a late 18th century English cabinet and it's in pretty good shape I need to take it apart and reglue it all the joints are coming apart it has this Tambor door and the tambour door has
What kind of glue do you use to repair a roll top desk?
All that you'll need to fix the desk is some heavy duty fabric and glue (I used wood glue, but I'm sure craft glue would work as well). Cut the fabric to be about four inches less than the width of your roll top and just slightly less than the length.Jul 28, 2014
How do you put a roll top desk back on track?
Try reducing any high spots, using a chisel for the grooves, a wood rasp for the slats and a low-angled block plane for trimming end grain. Try another fitting, and if the tambour now moves more comfortably, rub paraffin along the edges to make for a smoother run.Jan 31, 1991
Do roll top desks come apart?
Separate your roll top desk into sections (if applicable). If your roll top desk is a model that comes apart in two pieces (a bottom half and a top half), separate the two sections before attempting to move. This will prevent the desk from coming apart during transportation, which could permanently damage the desk.Jul 21, 2017
How do you repair a tambour cabinet door?
0:496:16Need to repair your tambour kitchen unit- here's how. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDoor the 3m tape i'll put a link below the 3m tape which is the extreme sealant tape. That's goingMoreDoor the 3m tape i'll put a link below the 3m tape which is the extreme sealant tape. That's going to be the tape to use as it looks like. It's had no movement in it whatsoever.
What is Tambour cloth made of?
cotton twill Tambour ClothRepair those sticking or broken roll top desks with this all natural, cotton twill Tambour Cloth. Human hands cannot tear this remarkable fabric! Tambour cloth is sold by the yard.
When did they stop making roll top desks?
The roll top desk fell out of favor in the early 1900s with the introduction of sleek glass and steel desks. Larger quantities of documents also made the small stacked drawers and mini-shelves impractical.Oct 24, 2016
Clean up & Arrange
The tambour was sealed shut when I bought the desk. It took a lot of pulling and wiggling to get it out. The glue had dissolved and the fabric strips were falling apart so the wood slats that make up the tambour were in multiple pieces. I pulled the old fabric off and chipped away any last glue bits.
Fabric
The fabric! I used duck cloth which is basically a lightweight canvas. I had leftovers from a project I did YEARS ago and it finally came in handy. You can purchase this at any fabric store I had bought mine at Hobby Lobby. Whichever you prefer will work! With the slats positioned properly, I measured and cut my fabric into three equal sections.
Gluing
Next, I applied a thin strip of wood glue on each wood slat the width of the canvas. You do NOT want the glue spreading in between the slats. The slats need to move independently to work properly so do not glue them together. Place your fabric over the top and smush the glue and fabric together.
Finishing Touches
Once it has properly dried take the spray silicone spray and spray a tiny bit along the grooves of the desk that the tambour will slide in too. Wipe up any product that ran down the side or pooled down at the bottom. Grab your newly assembled tambour and wiggle it back up through the grooves.
What is a roll top desk?
A roll-top desk's door or "tambour" is what sets it apart from any other wood desk, offering a way to keep things out of sight, out of mind after the day's work is done . As the tambour wears over time, some of the slats may come partially unglued from the backing fabric, jamming the roll top, or the backing cloth may tear or deteriorate.
How to remove a screw from a desk?
1. Open the roll-top portion of the desk to expose screws that hold the top to the base of the desk. If there are drawers atop the desk, beneath the roll-top area, you may have to remove some of them to locate the screws. Remove the screws with the appropriate screwdriver type, either slotted or Phillips, and set them in a safe place.
How to get hide glue off a desk?
Dampen the old cloth with a sponge to loosen the hide glue if the desk is old. If the desk is somewhat new and the glue does not respond to water, use vinegar instead. Pull the lift bar and the slats off the old cloth and wipe them dry with paper towels. If necessary, sand remnants of the old glue away and wipe the dust off with a soft cloth.
How to make a tambour cloth?
Spread a new piece of canvas or tambour cloth over the work surface, if needed, and set the old tambour atop it. Press the sides so the slats align evenly. Trace around the old tambour onto the cloth using a pencil, making dots on the new tambour cloth where each slat is positioned, as a guide for gluing. Cut the new cloth along the traced lines using scissors. Skip to Step 8 if the cloth is fine but slats require more glue.
How to make a lift bar?
Brush glue over the lift bar and wrap the end of the tambour cloth around it. Nail and clamp the cloth in place. Then apply a thin layer of glue over the lift bar and the slats using a foam brush, or by squirting lines of glue randomly over the bar and slats, rolling it smooth with a paint roller. Smooth the tambour cloth down over the glue, with the lift bar to the right of the slats, using a rubber sanding block without sandpaper. The weight of the rubber helps press the cloth down. Place a cut-to-size piece of plywood over the tambour cloth, then several heavy weights such as full paint cans to keep the cloth in place until the glue dries completely. Remove the cans and plywood once the glue is dry.
How to access a wood desk cover?
In order to access the wood desk cover, you'll need to first take the back panel off of the desk. It should be held on with small nails. Once the back is off, you should be able to pull the roll top right out of the track. After taking it out of the desk, I realized that a roll top is constructed of wood slats attached to a fabric backing.
Can you paint over a roll top?
Painting a rolltop is a lot easier if it is done before putting it back in the desk. If you are interested in painting over the fabric to make it "disappear," it helps to thin the paint out a little with some water. Allow the paint to dry and then insert the roll top back into the track.
How to replace a backing cloth on a desk?
1. Set a piece of canvas or tambour replacement cloth atop your work surface. Open the roll-top portion of the desk, looking inside for straps or screws which hold the top onto the rest of the desk. Remove the screws with a slotted screwdriver.
How to remove glue from old desk?
Pull the old cloth off the slats. If it doesn't come up easily, apply water to the cloth with a sponge; the water loosens hide glue, which is typically used for roll-top desk cloth, especially on antique desks. Wait a few moments, then lift the cloth again. Once removed, wipe down the slats with a damp sponge to remove the rest of the glue. Allow them to dry completely.
How to glue a slat on a table?
Set the cloth back on your work table. Squeeze a bit of glue or adhesive into a disposable container. Dip a cotton swab or small paintbrush into it, then apply the glue to the previously-glued surface of each slat, but not all the way to the edges.
How to cut a cloth?
Line up a straightedge implement along the top and bottom markings for the old cloth, then draw a pencil line connecting them as your guide for cutting the new cloth. Do the same for the sides of the cloth. Cut the cloth along the lines using scissors. Set the cloth back on your work table.
