Tambour Doors Repair

[shrimptank]

I keep seeing tambour with a rod and spring, but the ones in my '72 Safari just seems to have a track where it all rolls up, and under the kitchen sink it coils into a spiral. Was there a difference between the two?

[pickerdd]

I tried using the iron-on material to repair the tambour doors in my '71 Safari, but the stuff didn't stick. I must not have applied it correctly.

So, I bought a bunch of canvas duck cloth and some Gorilla Wood Glue for the repair. I cut the paper backing in between each tambour slat to separate the slats from one another then squared the slats up on the duck cloth and applied glue under each slat. I used about 1/3 or so bottle of Gorilla Glue per tambour door. I wanted as much glue surface contact between the tambour door and the cloth as possible.

I cut a couple pieces of plywood sized specifically for the tambour doors for clamping. I sandwiched the tambour door in between the plywood then clamped the whole thing down together with Irwin clamps. I let it dry 24 hours then trimmed off the excess duck cloth. It was very flexible and 6 months later the repaired tambour doors are holding up perfectly.

One important note - the slats must be squared off for gluing otherwise the tambour door won't glide correctly in the tracks. I have repaired and installed about 1/2 the doors in my Safari and they are holding up very well.

[somefun]

I like the Gorilla Glue idea! It's been 7 1/2 years since I did mine with contact cement. a couple of the doors have spots that have come unglued. All doors still function well. The canvas has held up.

[Lumatic]

Only problem I foresee with Gorilla Glue is getting the right amount as when curing it expands and foams. I use several strips of aluminum tape 90 degrees to the tambour slats and then ballistic nylon as a backing.

[pickerdd]

Yes, I have seen that foaming process with the regular version of Gorilla Glue, but I haven't seen that with Gorilla Wood Glue. I've had several tambour doors glued up and installed for 6 months and so far no problems.

[marygocampin]

Originally Posted by Tin Tortuga

Hey ! that sounds good . i was just tonight trying to remove mine for repairs, but i was going to try duct tape, and go right along the the breaks. maybe this ultra coat is better ? stronger ? can't be cheaper ,but cheap isn't always the way to go . I will check it out at the local hobby shop

no duct tape! I just bought an 71 with failed duct taped tambour doors which heavy sticky tape residue is adding another problem!

[Karshaw1]

Don't forget, bar soap or bees wax applied to the tambour ends will keep them sliding smooth and trouble free.

[wdkennedy]

Great advice here.
I am in need of building a complete tambour door. There is a cabinet shop that I'm going to let build it for me. My '72 Silver Streak has all the plastic guides in place. I assume the wood of choice is oak? The rest of the cabinets are the originals. Dark paper veneer with birch bark inserts.
Looking good.

[Kdelliott4]

Originally Posted by pickerdd

I tried using the iron-on material to repair the tambour doors in my '71 Safari, but the stuff didn't stick. I must not have applied it correctly.

So, I bought a bunch of canvas duck cloth and some Gorilla Wood Glue for the repair. I cut the paper backing in between each tambour slat to separate the slats from one another then squared the slats up on the duck cloth and applied glue under each slat. I used about 1/3 or so bottle of Gorilla Glue per tambour door. I wanted as much glue surface contact between the tambour door and the cloth as possible.

I cut a couple pieces of plywood sized specifically for the tambour doors for clamping. I sandwiched the tambour door in between the plywood then clamped the whole thing down together with Irwin clamps. I let it dry 24 hours then trimmed off the excess duck cloth. It was very flexible and 6 months later the repaired tambour doors are holding up perfectly.

One important note - the slats must be squared off for gluing otherwise the tambour door won't glide correctly in the tracks. I have repaired and installed about 1/2 the doors in my Safari and they are holding up very well.

I’ve repaired the under sink Tambour doors but can not figure out how to get them back in the track!! Help

[featherbedder]

The tambour under sink on my 76 is long and high, when try toll open bunches up, can press flat a little ways but can only open 1/2 way. Big job to remove sink & counter top to remove tambour, ny suggestions about how to keep from bunching, can not reach inside to try any thing on back side, silicone spray no help.

[Camper Crazy]

The tabour door under the sink in my '72 overlander is coming apart as well. I have repaired all of the horizontal doors, but the only way to get at the vertical door is by removing the counter top, stove and sink included. One day, but in the mean time I have been able to get to the back side and use black gorilla tape to hold some of the separated pieces together. They do not move smoothly but will do to hide a few things. You can clean the tracks, but I have found that cleaning the ends of the tambours helps as well (but the only way to do this is to get them out of the tracks).
Happy trails,
CC