How to Refelt Pool Table Bumpers
Like all sports equipment, pool tables can wear out and need repair. One of the most common repairs for pool tables is refelting, or recovering the surfaces with new felt. If your pool table has tears, stains, lint, or is starting to feel slow when you play, it's time for refelting.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Pencil
- Heavy-duty staple remover or pliers
- Cup
- Blade screwdriver
- Pool table cushion
- Razor
- Pool table felt
- Rubber cement
- Scissors
- Hammer
- Staple gun and staples
Instructions
-
-
1
Unscrew the bolts holding the edges or bumpers of the table on using the socket wrench. Set aside the bolts and nuts for later when you put the bumpers back on. Carefully lift the bumpers away from the table base. Mark the bumpers with the pencil so that you know which one goes where when you replace them.
-
2
Remove the staples holding the old felt in place on the back of the bumpers with the staple remover or pliers. Be careful not to gouge the wood. Collect the used staples in a container for recycling or disposal later.
-
-
3
Trace the edge of the feather strip, or thin piece of metal at the top of the bumper, onto the bare wood, so you know where to reposition it after refelting. Remove the feather strip with a thin bladed screwdriver.
-
4
Trace the ends of the bumpers onto the pool table cushion and cut it out with the razor. Repeat for each end. Brush the glue onto the bumpers and glue on the cushions, lining them up very carefully with the edges of the wood. Allow the glue to dry.
-
5
Lay out the felt and check it for tears, snags, and other imperfections. Lay the felt on the bumper and trace the area needed. Cut the felt 2 inches outside of this tracing to have enough to secure to the bumpers.
-
6
Line up the felt on the bumper and tap the feather strip on gently with a hammer, starting in the center and working out to the edges. Use the feather strip as a guide to cut off any felt emerging past the feather strip on the outside of the bumper.
-
7
Turn the bumper over so that the underside is facing up and pull the felt tight against it. Staple the felt into place using the staple gun. Begin in the center and work to the edges, pulling the felt tight as you go. Trim off any excess felt after the stapling is done. Repeat for all bumpers.
-
8
Replace the bumpers and screw them back into place. There may be small waves in the felt, but these will even out over time.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Work slowly and wear safety glasses and gloves when working with the staple gun.
Resources
- Photo Credit redlionstalis.com
