Refixing Rexine to Tape Recorder Wooden Case Recommendations Please

[DMcMahon]

Some of the leather like material is peeling off the wooden case of my Stella ST454 (Philips EL3541 clone) reel to reel tape recorder.

I assume this is Rexine, any recommendations please on suitable glue required to refix.

For general wood repairs would normally use Evo Stick wood adhesive but not sure if this would secure the Rexine (I will try a bit on the underside as per photo 3).

David

[emeritus]

I would use traditional solvent-based Evostik. Still available, thank goodness. A friend said he had had trouble getting hold of it in tubes as his local shops didn't have any, but my local Robert Dyas had plenty this week.

[John10b]

I have successfully re-covered record player cabinets with Rexine using PVA glue.
John

[DMcMahon]

Thank you both, I will test 2 small sections using Evo-stik Impact and PVA.

David

[joebog1]

I use contact glue. There are two types, one is solvent based and the other is called acrylic and is water based. Use the water based variety as some "rexine/vinyl " melts with the solvent based variety. I have repaired many guitar amplifier cases as well as tape recorders and portable record players with great success. Use as directed of course!! that is, let it dry to the touch on both surfaces them press the edges down starting at the still attached side of the tear/damaged area.

Joe

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by emeritus

I would use traditional solvent-based Evostik. Still available, thank goodness. A friend said he had had trouble getting hold of it in tubes as his local shops didn't have any, but my local Robert Dyas had plenty this week.

Certainly UHU is available in our local Poundland.

[DMcMahon]

Found plenty more pieces that will need gluing/fixing down.

David

Solvent Evostik for me, for this sort of thing I place some in the join, press together and release, this coats both sides and after a minute or two you can press together for the joint.

[vidjoman]

Where you have exposed glue still on the wood I suggest testing with a cotton bud soaked in hot water as I suspect the original was just a wood glue. Spirit based glues normally soften or shrink the rexine. No points for guessing how I know.

[G6ONEDave]

I would use Thixofix or Evostik.

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by vidjoman

Where you have exposed glue still on the wood I suggest testing with a cotton bud soaked in hot water as I suspect the original was just a wood glue. Spirit based glues normally soften or shrink the rexine. No points for guessing how I know.

Can you please elaborate what you mean by "test with a cotton bud" ?

David

[vidjoman]

Soak the bud in hot water and see if the glue softens and can be removed. That'll show its probably old fashioned wood glue. I'm fairly sure that's what it was and the Rexine will remain unaffected by the water based glue. It may be worth gently warming the Rexine with hot water, about 50 deg, to see if it softens and becomes easier to work with.
Philips wouldn't use relatively expensive glue if ordinary wood glue worked. The covering has probably got a little damp over the years in storage and the Rexine parted company with the wood, especially on corners and edges where the glue was probably thinner as the material was being worked to fit.

[DMcMahon]

Thank you, all clear now, not sure if there is any exposed glue on the woodwork.

David

[Red to black]

You could probably just staple it on the internal parts and the bits you wouldn't normally see, obviously the cosmetic bits you can see will still need to be glued.

[DMcMahon]

Have done a test on 3 of the easier sections on the underside using 3 different glues.

All felt like the glue would hold down the Rexine but afterwards I taped the repairs down to ensure they do not lift.

The Evostik Instant (being the only Instant contact adhesive) was by far the messiest to use and not easy to remove excess glue.

Will leave it over night and remove the tape and see what the the results look like.

David

[DMcMahon]

Removed the tape and all glued areas look good, no obvious differences between the 3 different glues used in terms of outcome.

Next will try gluing some of the more difficult bits.

David

[JonSnell]

Evostik will hold the rexine for many years.
Clean with petrol or Evostik Solvent.
Use a stiff brush to apply the adhesive small brush for small areas, larger for larger areas etc.
A local musician still uses and has never had to re cover the speakers I manufactured for him back in 1973. The rexine was aplied with Evostik Thixofix as it allows for a small amount of movement when setting but has the same adhesive properties as standard Evostik.
Many cabinets that were covered using PVA have had to be re covered after only a short time out on the road with various bands. As soon as they get damp, the adhesive 'lets go'.
Evostik spray is the prefered adhesive for carpet repairs and carpet fitting.

[joebog1]

Jon has it !!!!

Joe

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by JonSnell

Evostik spray is the prefered adhesive for carpet repairs and carpet fitting.

I am glad you said that Jon, I had completely forgotton that I have a can of carpet adhesive spray in the garage somewhere, must locate it and give it a try.

David