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Old 24th Dec 2016, 12:44 pm   #1
Aristotle
Tetrode
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Saffron Walden, Essex, UK.
Posts: 54
Default Rexine ? for handle on Hacker RP25B

Back in August posted asking for advice on obtaining then replacing the faux leathercloth fabric for the handle on my RP25B.

Best match for the original fabric I could find was Martrim Vinide Black - right amount of graining and had the non shiny finish of the original. Other samples I received from suggested suppliers were I felt just too shiny.

I baulked a bit in buying from Martrim as I felt their postage charges were a bit on the high side and in pausing before I bought managed to get an RP25A which I needed a bit specialist help with.

Chap who fixed my RP25A also had a small amount of fabric which was a match for the Vinide Black - just enough for the handle - so bit of a result.

Re-reading the advice on original thread soaked the handle overnight and it removed all the old lining from the handle by pushing thumb along the handle - so it didn't get scratched.

Did buy some double sided tape from Screwfix which was a perfect width for the handle but when applied was too thick - so went back to Plan A which was to use glue to attach the fabric.

Eventually settled to use PVA glue as it doesn't set straight away and you can move the fabric around if not perfectly straight when first applied - also if you get an overspill it can be wiped off and it dries clear. The fabric I cut the width using a steel rule and a first use Stanley knife blade - I left the fabric strip over length so the ends could be clamped.

Applied the PVA to the fabric with a broad artists brush - clamped one end to the handle then bent it round the handle smoothing and removing any excess glue as I went - then clamped the other end. Used a damp sponge to remove any further excess glue then patted it dry. Left clamped overnight to dry completely the following day cut the excess of the ends and fitted the handle to the radio.

I'm happy with resulting looks, feel it's a reasonable match both texture and colour and time will tell if the PVA holds well - the good thing is if it doesn't it will be easy to remove.

Thanks again for everyones advice.
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Last edited by Aristotle; 24th Dec 2016 at 12:52 pm.
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