Tambour help please.

Mcstreamy · 12-25-2006, 08:29 PM

I am seeking suggestions on repairing the "roll-up" storage "covering" under the beds and the sink area. The prior owner tried clear silicone on the fractured seam edges, but it didn't work and made a mess. I tried duct tape and mylar, but it would not attach to the paper backing.
Merry Christmas......

**wahoonc** · 12-25-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mcstreamy

I am seeking suggestions on repairing the "roll-up" storage "covering" under the beds and the sink area. The prior owner tried clear silicone on the fractured seam edges, but it didn't work and made a mess. I tried duct tape and mylar, but it would not attach to the paper backing.
Merry Christmas......

Mcstreamy,
Welcome to the forums...the stuff you are looking for is called "tambour" run a board search and you will get several sources for replacement. I have never had much luck repairing it, replacing it seems to be the best way to go. Most of mine are still in pretty good condition and the couple that need replacing are going to be done away with as part of the remodel.

Aaron

**Janet** · 12-25-2006, 09:43 PM

HI and welcome to the forums - you have the coolest user name!

Tambour can be repaired, but it can also be replaced with wood, vinyl and even aluminum. Use the search tool on the upper blue bar and search tambour repair.

**moosetags** · 12-25-2006, 09:57 PM

Go to Woodworker's Supply. They have supplies to repair and build tambour doors.

59 GlobTro · 12-25-2006, 10:07 PM

We have a '72 Ambassador with the same paper backed tambour. Ours was nearly completely seperated with only a few of the strips still connected. The first thing I did was to get some off-white, all-cotton denim from the fabric store. Then on the work bench, I cut the remaining pieces apart and cleaned the dust off of everything. The next step was to cut a piece of denim the size of the door minus 3/4" on both sides(so it will still fit into tho tracks). To adhere the tambour strips to the fabric, I used 3M 77 spray adhesive directly on the fabric. Then I laid the strips onto the cloth using a large framing square to keep it all true. The glue dries very fast and was ready for installation within minutes. It worked very nicely. Merry Christmas and good luck!

Will and Lori

steelbird312 · 12-26-2006, 09:26 AM

What Will and Lori Said!

There is very little as satisfying as effecting a repair......and it being a good, successful one.
Do it yourself and enjoy the satisfaction.

Inland RV Center, In · 12-26-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mcstreamy

I am seeking suggestions on repairing the "roll-up" storage "covering" under the beds and the sink area. The prior owner tried clear silicone on the fractured seam edges, but it didn't work and made a mess. I tried duct tape and mylar, but it would not attach to the paper backing.
Merry Christmas......

The paper backed Tambour doors were replaced "in warranty" by Airstream many years ago. They recognized the fact that the paper backing would never last over the short haul, let alone the long haul.

That warranty ended over 30 years ago.

To repair then after silicone has been applied, would be a waste of time.

Tambour material is available from an Airstream dealer, or from other sources as well.

A 31 foot trailer will take two 4 x 8 sheets if you wish to do a full replacement.

Andy

ScottW · 12-26-2006, 02:55 PM

59 Glotro is correct. Used the same 'technique' to repair a roll top desk.. Works fine, lasts a long time.

STREAMTEAM · 12-26-2006, 05:19 PM

McStreamy,
Thanks for bringing up this topic. We've got repairs done with duct tape and when it gets hot the tambor comes apart. We need to do about 5 doors and
I think the spray adheasive on denium sounds like the ticket, thanks for the tip GlobTro...Was it diff to get the doors out of the roller brackets??
STREAMTEAM

kween · 06-07-2007, 07:48 PM

I'd like to repair my tambour doors. Based on my research, it sounds like the "right" way to fix broken cabinets is to take the tambour apart first, re-align all the pieces, spray glue, apply canvas backing, and put the cabinets back.

I have an idea for a quick fix and I'm wondering if it's a bad idea. The tambour under the bed has split. I've removed the bed and can see the tambour from the inside. It seems like I should be able to role the tambour down into place, spray adhesive directly on, then place fabric on top, without ever removing the cabinet. I imagine doing the same for the cabinets under the couch. This will save me lots of time getting the tambour out. Has anyone done this?

Thanks.

Lumatic · 06-07-2007, 07:55 PM

Here's my techinique. Some of the tambour I repaired 5 years ago and they still work fine.
1. Reconnect the strips with aluminum tape across the direction of the tambour 6" apart
2.glue a layer of nylon packcloth over the backs with contact cement

kween · 06-07-2007, 07:58 PM

Did you do this with the tambour in place, or did you remove the cabinets first? Did you remove the original paper-backing?

That sounds like a good technique. I just want to avoid removing the paper and also avoid removing the cabinet for the repair. Thanks!

mello mike · 06-09-2007, 03:55 AM

to replace Tambour. If your Tambour is still in place, simply lift it up and unscrew the plastic mount on one side. After you do this, you should be able to remove the Tambour door along with the plastic mount.

Lumatic · 06-09-2007, 08:23 AM

Ditto.
No need to remove the cabinets, or the paper backing. Trim the edges of the paper backing with a utillity knife so they fit flush. If the paper backing has gotten stiff break loose the paper between the slats after the goo has set and cured. The paper backing sucks up the glue like a sponge. You will need several coats. The overhead and under bed tambours are easy. they pop right out. The cabinet tambours are a bit more of a challenge and reguire some dissassembly of the face of the cabinet to get at them.