Sticking grille cloth to the rear of mesh? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

McMurdo · 9th Jul 2012, 8:01 pm

I've got a speaker here which has a perforated mesh grille and cloth glued to the rear of the grille before its screwed to the front of the cabinet. The cloth has ripped and needs replacing. The question...what sort of glue & technique would be suitable? I can't spray the cloth..it'll block it up. I can spray the grille..but it mustn't come through to the front or it'll spoil its finish. I've tried a little carpet glue but it's stringy and oozes like mad through the holes. Wallpaper paste..not strong enough I fear for cloth. Any other ideas any folk?

bobbyball · 9th Jul 2012, 8:30 pm

Don't use Copydex whatever you do, leaves stains! Guess how I found out...

You could try PVA as it generally sets clear, although this might be "stringy" or ooze like your carpet glue...?

Robert

McMurdo · 9th Jul 2012, 9:03 pm

whatever I use it has to be high-tack (PVA isn't, from my school day memories) otherwise one false move and it will smear over the jet-black cloth before it's grabbed it.

Peter.N. · 9th Jul 2012, 10:18 pm

Spray on Evostick on the grill would probably do the job but you need to get it right first time.

Peter

McMurdo · 11th Jul 2012, 10:21 pm

In the end I settled for Bond-Loc brushable contact adhesive. I managed to thin it down to single cream consistency with some MEK. Then I brushed it on. In a few places the glue started blocking the grille holes up but I blew on them to clear them. The cloth stuck instantly and I've left it overnight. In a few small places the glue has run through and bubbled the paint on the face side a little but it's not a disaster.

9th Jul 2012, 8:01 pm	#1
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,269	Sticking grille cloth to the rear of mesh? I've got a speaker here which has a perforated mesh grille and cloth glued to the rear of the grille before its screwed to the front of the cabinet. The cloth has ripped and needs replacing. The question...what sort of glue & technique would be suitable? I can't spray the cloth..it'll block it up. I can spray the grille..but it mustn't come through to the front or it'll spoil its finish. I've tried a little carpet glue but it's stringy and oozes like mad through the holes. Wallpaper paste..not strong enough I fear for cloth. Any other ideas any folk? __________________ Kevin

9th Jul 2012, 8:30 pm	#2
bobbyball Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester Posts: 1,214	Re: Sticking grille cloth to the rear of mesh? Don't use Copydex whatever you do, leaves stains! Guess how I found out... You could try PVA as it generally sets clear, although this might be "stringy" or ooze like your carpet glue...? Robert

9th Jul 2012, 9:03 pm	#3
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,269	Re: Sticking grille cloth to the rear of mesh? whatever I use it has to be high-tack (PVA isn't, from my school day memories) otherwise one false move and it will smear over the jet-black cloth before it's grabbed it. __________________ Kevin

9th Jul 2012, 10:18 pm	#4
Peter.N. Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 3,601	Re: Sticking grille cloth to the rear of mesh? Spray on Evostick on the grill would probably do the job but you need to get it right first time. Peter

11th Jul 2012, 10:21 pm	#5
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,269	Re: Sticking grille cloth to the rear of mesh? In the end I settled for Bond-Loc brushable contact adhesive. I managed to thin it down to single cream consistency with some MEK. Then I brushed it on. In a few places the glue started blocking the grille holes up but I blew on them to clear them. The cloth stuck instantly and I've left it overnight. In a few small places the glue has run through and bubbled the paint on the face side a little but it's not a disaster. __________________ Kevin