How To Fix A Roll Top Desk Tambour
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Full Answer
How do I replace the tambour on my desk?
Related Articles. 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. Lift the roll-top portion of the desk and slide out the tambour, or slatted door,...
How do you replace the top of a roll-top desk?
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 do you fix a rolling desk that won't stay up?
The key to repairing such a desk correctly is using only enough adhesive to keep the slats secured to the backing cloth; too much may hinder the movement of the rolling door along its tracks. Open the roll-top portion of the desk to expose screws that hold the top to the base of the desk.
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 a tambour roll top desk?
0:5711:00How To Repair A Rolltop Tambour Door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I can figure out the correct depth in order to cut a piece of wood and put a notch in it. So IMoreSo I can figure out the correct depth in order to cut a piece of wood and put a notch in it. So I can use that as a clamp to hold the tampers in place in order to do this. Repair.
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 what type of glue would you use for repair of a roll 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.
How do you put a tambour door back on track?
0:061:58C3 Tambour Door: Foiled Face Track - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe track by lining up the notched portion with the c3 system and fastened with screws snap shut theMoreThe track by lining up the notched portion with the c3 system and fastened with screws snap shut the track to conceal the screws turn the cabinet right-side up connect the top end caps.
How do you use Tambour glue?
1:059:47Gluing Tambour Slats to Canvass Backing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow this is the canvas it's a linen cotton mixture kind of heavy. And i need to center this about aMoreNow this is the canvas it's a linen cotton mixture kind of heavy. And i need to center this about a half an inch off the top and a half an inch off the bottom. And and glue it to all these slats.
Are roll top desks worth anything?
Vintage roll top desks can be found in many price ranges. It is possible to find a vintage roll top desk at a thrift store for fewer than a hundred dollars; while at the same time a very high quality desk may be found at auction for well over ten thousand.
What is Tambour glue?
This tambour glue is a commercial grade adhesive formulated for the furniture industry. Ideal for gluing cloth backing to tambour door slats. This multi-purpose adhesive is flexible when cured and can be used for bonding wood, leather, cloth and other porous materials.
How do you restore a roll top desk?
6:468:22Restoration - Antique Oak Roll Top Desk Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFelt the better to split it up cause for quite a long video. And the intention with this is we needMoreFelt the better to split it up cause for quite a long video. And the intention with this is we need to strip all this. Down. Put in two separate elements. And then clean it all up.
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.
How do you adjust a tambour door?
0:502:13Installing a C3 Tambour Door System With Aluminum Track - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull the tambour slowly down to test the tension if tension is not as desired repeat the previousMorePull the tambour slowly down to test the tension if tension is not as desired repeat the previous step pull the tambour carpet until it has cleared the ends of the track. Slide on the handle.
How does a tambour door work?
The doors are constructed from slats which fit into guiding tracks at either end (the tracks can be curved to go around corners). At the top or side (depending on which way the door opens) is a spiralling device, which rolls the door up as it's opened.
How do you fit a tambour door?
2:464:35Tambour door fitting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLine up the tracks with the end of the spiral. Jump down there then we take the magnetic strip likeMoreLine up the tracks with the end of the spiral. Jump down there then we take the magnetic strip like this down here. As this door is going to be operating Horizonte rather than vertically. We need stop
How do you redo a roll top desk?
1:2910:10DIY Refinished Roll Top Desk | Before & After - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd used Waverly brand chalk paint and some foam paint brushes to paint the entire desk.MoreAnd used Waverly brand chalk paint and some foam paint brushes to paint the entire desk.
How do you install a tambour door?
0:062:13Installing a C3 Tambour Door System With Aluminum Track - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition the top end caps and fastened with screws snap. The track cover into the track base. ApplyMorePosition the top end caps and fastened with screws snap. The track cover into the track base. Apply the required pre tension to the c3.
How do you lubricate a tambour door?
0:478:39Small Secretary With Tambour Door – Applying an Oil and Shellac FinishYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is about 50/50 naphtha boiled linseed oil like using a flick as it dries. Helps it dry fasterMoreThis is about 50/50 naphtha boiled linseed oil like using a flick as it dries. Helps it dry faster tuskys a foam brush. Put it on fairly literally.
How do you take apart a roll top desk?
0:095:42Oakcraft Computer Rolltop Disassembly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you just need to remove those with a phillips head screwdriver. There is the tray removed fromMoreAnd you just need to remove those with a phillips head screwdriver. There is the tray removed from the desk. And here is the phillips head screws.
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 an antique roll top desk?
An antique roll-top desk is worth repairing and preserving. When restored and polished, they give an office a rich and comforting feel. Often times, the tambour of the desk is in bad shape and needs to be re-glued and restored. The proper tambour and cloth must be used to repair the back of the tambour. Human hands cannot tear the natural cotton ...
Can you replace a roll top desk with a new backing?
Luckily, replacing a roll-top desk cloth with a new backing is possible and it can be glued onto the slats after removing the assembly from the desk.
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 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 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 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.
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.
Replies
I redid a rolltop a few years ago. I used a medium weight canvas backing glued with cold premixed hide glue. I figured I'd probably have to do it again someday, so I used a reversible glue. The original glue was horse hide glue, and scraped off easily. I got the canvas at a local fabric store, I think it was 20 or 30 oz. weight.
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