Removing adhesive from speaker cloth - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

johnlees · 8th Feb 2010, 7:07 pm

I have removed the speaker cloth on a Murphy A 104 to turn it over to use the unfaded side. I have literally "picked off" most of the old adhesive but various unsightly bits remain.

Is there a solvent or some other method of removing the remaining bits? They are all small - about a sixteenth to an eighth of an inch long.

M0TGX Terry · 8th Feb 2010, 7:33 pm

Depends what sort of glue (and speaker cloth) it is. I had v good results on a Murphy a121 by washing the cloth in warm water with a little washing up liquid.I then dried it between 2 old towels weighted down with wooden boards and a couple of weights. The fabric looks like some kind of loosely woven cotton and the glue was water soluble, probably animal glue of some sort.if yours is a man-made cloth with a modern type synthetic glue like EvoStick you'll need a solvent to shift the glue.I've used meths on evostick but try it on corner first to check that it doesn't affect the fabric. Good luck.
Terry

johnlees · 8th Feb 2010, 7:36 pm

Thanks, Terry. I would say the fabric is woven cloth. I will try both your methods on a bit which will be hidden from view once it's back in place.

John.

johnlees · 8th Feb 2010, 7:47 pm

Yep, instant success with warm water and Fairy Liquid.

Many thanks, Terry. Cheers, John.

JimMac53 · 9th Feb 2010, 6:03 pm

It may shrink. Be ready to stretch it.

johnlees · 9th Feb 2010, 11:22 pm

Thanks, JimMac. I was careful to only wet the bits where the glue was and I used an old toothbrush to gently scrub those bits. It has dried out OK and there are no signs of shrinkage.

8th Feb 2010, 7:07 pm	#1
johnlees Hexode Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 283	Removing adhesive from speaker cloth I have removed the speaker cloth on a Murphy A 104 to turn it over to use the unfaded side. I have literally "picked off" most of the old adhesive but various unsightly bits remain. Is there a solvent or some other method of removing the remaining bits? They are all small - about a sixteenth to an eighth of an inch long. __________________ Now that's the kind of Long Wave I like ! (Severn Bore near Gloucester)

8th Feb 2010, 7:33 pm	#2
M0TGX Terry Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 262	Re: Removing adhesive from speaker cloth Depends what sort of glue (and speaker cloth) it is. I had v good results on a Murphy a121 by washing the cloth in warm water with a little washing up liquid.I then dried it between 2 old towels weighted down with wooden boards and a couple of weights. The fabric looks like some kind of loosely woven cotton and the glue was water soluble, probably animal glue of some sort.if yours is a man-made cloth with a modern type synthetic glue like EvoStick you'll need a solvent to shift the glue.I've used meths on evostick but try it on corner first to check that it doesn't affect the fabric. Good luck. Terry __________________ Terry the Morganist

8th Feb 2010, 7:36 pm	#3
johnlees Hexode Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 283	Re: Removing adhesive from speaker cloth Thanks, Terry. I would say the fabric is woven cloth. I will try both your methods on a bit which will be hidden from view once it's back in place. John. __________________ Now that's the kind of Long Wave I like ! (Severn Bore near Gloucester)

8th Feb 2010, 7:47 pm	#4
johnlees Hexode Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 283	Re: Removing adhesive from speaker cloth Yep, instant success with warm water and Fairy Liquid. Many thanks, Terry. Cheers, John. __________________ Now that's the kind of Long Wave I like ! (Severn Bore near Gloucester)

9th Feb 2010, 6:03 pm	#5
JimMac53 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Posts: 255	Re: Removing adhesive from speaker cloth It may shrink. Be ready to stretch it. __________________ Jim Mac

9th Feb 2010, 11:22 pm	#6
johnlees Hexode Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 283	Re: Removing adhesive from speaker cloth Thanks, JimMac. I was careful to only wet the bits where the glue was and I used an old toothbrush to gently scrub those bits. It has dried out OK and there are no signs of shrinkage. __________________ Now that's the kind of Long Wave I like ! (Severn Bore near Gloucester)