Grill Cloth Replacement, Wood Lattice SP series

[GrumpE2]

After much work bringing a very sad pair of SP2500 boxes back to presentable, it's time to replace the grill cloth. The wood's been stained dark, and P.E. had a deep black cloth that will go nicely... but how to lay it in?

The original cloth is glued over the lattice, and wood strips are stapled around the edges where the metal bracing doesn't cover. My intention is not to staple new strips, and rely on the glue alone... but given that they have an arch to them... it's not so simple as a flat grill would be.

Has anyone replaced the grill cloth on one of these bowed lattice grills, that you might share your experience?

 

[Sansuiman]

I've not done it yet but have given it some thought. As i see it the only way to do it is to use a low nap mini paint roller (maybe foam type) to sparingly apply an adhesive to the back side of the grille (once all existing material is stripped) and then lay the new material on.

The trick is to have some means of securing one edge first (probably at either top or bottom) so the new cloth can't slide around as it is pressed into the adhesive. A piece of cardboard or poster board cut to the same size as the grill would aid in applying pressure (laid over the new cloth) so a sweeping motion of the hand or some type of pressure roller could then be run over the cardboard to help bed it uniformly against the adhesive.

Probably need to weight it down subsequently (some hardback books or strips of fairly heavy lumber, maybe 2x3) to keep it pressed into the curvature until the adhesive is cured. May want to place some wax paper or some other thin non-stick material in between the cloth and the cardboard before weighting it, as if the adhesive oozes through the cloth, it may stick to the cardboard and make it very difficult to remove.

I can't see using a spray adhesive as that would end up in the outward facing recesses of the wood grill and probably attract dust even once cured, ruining the look. Using the roller as I propose woumd have to be done with ligbt touch so as to not have excess glue squeeze out of the roller and run down into the recesses.

Have lots of cotton or foam swabs and a solvent appropriate to the glue being used for cleanup of any excess while still wet. I suppose a small brush could also be used to put the glue onb but will take a lot of extra time to apply precisely in that manner, and might exceed the working time of the adhesive to complete the entire grille surface.

I welcome any suggestions for improvement on the idea above, as I've some grilles to redo eventually, and perhaps someone here has already been down this road and can speak from experience.

 

[GrumpE2]

"The trick is to have some means of securing one edge first..."

My thought was to glue one edge first, and let it set... after that's cured, apply the rest.

"...a low nap mini paint roller"

Yes, a sponge or roller to apply the glue but it would be best not to try and remove any smears from the cloth... (don't think that would go well)

So making sure the cloth lays flat in one shot seems prudent. To that end, having the cloth rolled up on a pvc or other pipe/tube and rolling it onto the lattice seems a likely option. It won't be taut as was the oem, but so long as there aren't sags or pulls... use a contact adhesive, which bites quickly... at least this is my thinking.

And like yourself, wonder if someone else hasn't already walked this path

 

[GrumpE2]

Sansui SP-2500 grill cloth has been replaced. What follows is simply sharing what was done… there are probably better ways, but this is what I came up with… hope it might inspire thoughts for others who intend to try.

A 3” diameter shipping tube was used. It could have been plastic pipe, or other… The cloth was taped and aligned so it would roll/unroll true and flat. Some paper was wrapped with the cloth so in the unlikely event... (Murphy’s Law). Don’t scrimp… after the cloth is unrolled, the tape needs to be removed, so keep that in mind.

The roll was set on the grill, and positioned so the cloth/paper came just over the edge.

It was then folded back (the foam brush is just weight). Cement was applied to the grill, equal width (over the rail and onto the lattice about 3/4" total). Then Flopped the cloth/paper down and rolled into the cement using a wood dowel. (anything round/smooth would work). Let it set up.

When it set, the roll was moved over the glued strip, and off the grill. Cement was applied to the remaining surface using a short nap roller. A small brush was used for the area closest to the cloth. No pressure on the roller… just kissing the surface worked well… just wet, but not where it would run.

Moved slow & deliberate bringing the cloth roll back onto the grill. No tension is needed/wanted, but it can’t be loose. Kept it square and moved in an arched fashion back onto the grill, then unrolled. Used a smooth, even motion with no downward pressure. Carefully removed the tape and used the tube, like a rolling pin, over the grill. No dragging or sliding, just rolling with a downward pressure… then let set.

The only minor hiccup were fine strings of cement across the lattice. On the first grill, the initial application was a bit thin, so a second… I suspect this is when the strings occurred. Thin like dog hair. I didn’t see them till the grill was turned over (next day). No trouble though… They sagged, and the cloth is above them. A few minutes with tweezers and they were gone. Second grill, cement was one application and no stringers. As the grill is arched, it wanted to move/rock while being worked on. Easy enough to hold between the lattice or side of the rails. Many dry runs, and thought thru the moves… Relatively simple, but seemed daunting at the onset. YMMV

 

[antpaubarcar]

Great job congrats.!

 

[nicholas2381]

Nice work!

 

[BushmasterM4]

Where did you get the foam ?

 

[GrumpE2]

Parts Express

‘ Mellotone Premium Black Speaker Grill Cloth Yard 64" Wide ‘

One yard was way more than is needed, but it won’t go to waist