Rexine - Paper or Linen backed - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

steve1811uk · 21st Mar 2006, 3:43 pm

Hi, I want to re-cover a Roberts R200 and wonder what type of Rexine to use. I have seen two types offered by Sidney Chaplin described as paper backed and linen backed. Does anyone have any experience with these ? Or does anyone have an alternative source for the rexine. Ideally I would like to use real leather but I guess it would have to be very thin and I've no idea where to get that from. What type of glue can I use ? All help much appreciated.

mikelect · 21st Mar 2006, 4:13 pm

I'd suggest you ask Sid he probably knows more about it than anyone else

Mike

Aerodyne · 21st Mar 2006, 4:26 pm

Paper backed material has the advantage that is is easy to glue and resists creasing to some extent. I've used it with PVA (woodwork, white) adhesive.
I think Mike's got a point, though. Safest bet is to ask Sid.
-Tony

steve1811uk · 21st Mar 2006, 5:04 pm

Thanks for the replies. Does the paper backed stuff have the same look of the original Roberts covering ? Has anyone used linen backed Rexine ?

Steve

ronbryan · 21st Mar 2006, 6:19 pm

Hi Steve

I've recently used linen backed black Rexine from Sid Chaplin (style B) to re-cover a replacement panel on a '70s guitar amplifier. The material is about 10 thou thick.

I used a spray on contact adhesive (toluene solvent, I think) used by the motor trimming trade. The Rexine was able to be pulled round corners with a 1.5" radius without puckering.

On the reverse side of the panel, where it was trimmed and folded over and did not show, there was some slight evidence of the solvent softening the Rexine, so that when the fabric was rolled flat the linen backing started to push through. Maybe I sprayed on too much adhesive, because the front face did not have this problem.

I have looked at the covering on my Roberts Junior valve portables (early fifties) and they seem to be covered with linen backed Rexine.

Ron

Paul Stenning · 21st Mar 2006, 7:17 pm

If you contact Sid he will probably send you a couple of small samples so you can have a look for yourself. He is very helpful and approachable.

steve1811uk · 22nd Mar 2006, 9:28 am

Thanks everyone. I contacted Sid and he will send me a few samples soon. Best regards, Steve.

steve1811uk · 29th Mar 2006, 9:26 am

I received some samples from Sid. I believe the most suitable will be the linen backed stuff as the paper backed has a tendency to tear when you try to go round a tight radius. Steve.

ronbryan · 29th Mar 2006, 9:38 am

Hi Steve

You may find that warming the rexine with a little heat from a hair dryer can assist pulling the material around corners.

Ron

21st Mar 2006, 3:43 pm	#1
steve1811uk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 33	Rexine - Paper or Linen backed Hi, I want to re-cover a Roberts R200 and wonder what type of Rexine to use. I have seen two types offered by Sidney Chaplin described as paper backed and linen backed. Does anyone have any experience with these ? Or does anyone have an alternative source for the rexine. Ideally I would like to use real leather but I guess it would have to be very thin and I've no idea where to get that from. What type of glue can I use ? All help much appreciated. Last edited by Darren-UK; 28th Aug 2007 at 12:30 am. Reason: Created link.

21st Mar 2006, 4:13 pm	#2
mikelect Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK. Posts: 799	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed I'd suggest you ask Sid he probably knows more about it than anyone else Mike

21st Mar 2006, 4:26 pm	#3
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed Paper backed material has the advantage that is is easy to glue and resists creasing to some extent. I've used it with PVA (woodwork, white) adhesive. I think Mike's got a point, though. Safest bet is to ask Sid. -Tony

21st Mar 2006, 5:04 pm	#4
steve1811uk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 33	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed Thanks for the replies. Does the paper backed stuff have the same look of the original Roberts covering ? Has anyone used linen backed Rexine ? Steve

21st Mar 2006, 6:19 pm	#5
ronbryan Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Guildford, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,960	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed Hi Steve I've recently used linen backed black Rexine from Sid Chaplin (style B) to re-cover a replacement panel on a '70s guitar amplifier. The material is about 10 thou thick. I used a spray on contact adhesive (toluene solvent, I think) used by the motor trimming trade. The Rexine was able to be pulled round corners with a 1.5" radius without puckering. On the reverse side of the panel, where it was trimmed and folded over and did not show, there was some slight evidence of the solvent softening the Rexine, so that when the fabric was rolled flat the linen backing started to push through. Maybe I sprayed on too much adhesive, because the front face did not have this problem. I have looked at the covering on my Roberts Junior valve portables (early fifties) and they seem to be covered with linen backed Rexine. Ron Last edited by ronbryan; 21st Mar 2006 at 6:29 pm.

21st Mar 2006, 7:17 pm	#6
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,073	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed If you contact Sid he will probably send you a couple of small samples so you can have a look for yourself. He is very helpful and approachable. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

22nd Mar 2006, 9:28 am	#7
steve1811uk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 33	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed Thanks everyone. I contacted Sid and he will send me a few samples soon. Best regards, Steve.

29th Mar 2006, 9:26 am	#8
steve1811uk Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 33	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed I received some samples from Sid. I believe the most suitable will be the linen backed stuff as the paper backed has a tendency to tear when you try to go round a tight radius. Steve.

29th Mar 2006, 9:38 am	#9
ronbryan Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Guildford, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,960	Re: Rexine - Paper or Linen backed Hi Steve You may find that warming the rexine with a little heat from a hair dryer can assist pulling the material around corners. Ron