If you have already tried to glue felt to wood, you may have been frustrated by this challenging process and perhaps unsatisfactory results. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the information you need to successfully glue felt to wood for small and large projects.
There are five simple steps to glue felt to wood:
- Gather your supplies.
- Cut and clean the wood and felt.
- Apply the glue to the felt and wood.
- Apply the felt to the wood.
- Drying time to glue felt to wood.
The materials and process vary slightly depending on the project you are working on.
Lots of work goes into the preparation phase before gluing felt to wood. Good quality felt and the correct type of glue are essential components of this process. Gathering suitable materials is vital for the rest of the process to go smoothly.
1. Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin the process of gluing the felt to wood, it’s essential to make sure you gather all your materials. Each project will be unique and differ slightly in the type of supplies required. For instance, larger pieces like furniture may need a different type of glue than small pieces like a jewelry box.
In general, you’ll need the following:
- Felt
- Wood
- Glue
- Scissors or a sharp craft knife
- Pen or pencil
- Ruler or tape measure
- A paintbrush or roller
- Sandpaper (optional)
You may not use everything on the list, but better safe than sorry! Set all these materials on a table or a workbench before you start.
The Quality Of The Felt And Glue Makes A Difference
You may benefit from using high-quality felt, which tends to stretch less once you start working with it. This is vital as many of the problems you get when gluing felt to wood come from using a lower quality felt.
For instance, if the felt stretches too much, it can tear. Good quality felt cuts better and is more robust, making the final product look more finished. Experts recommend billiard cloth (more familiar than the felt on pool tables) as an excellent quality felt. The felt thickness is another factor to consider, but this will largely depend on your project.
The glue is another vital part of the project. Contact cement or spray adhesive may be better if you work on a bigger surface. Spray glue will be able to cover a large surface evenly. You can use spray glue in two ways:
- Attach the felt to the wood while the glue is wet on both surfaces, or,
- Wait for the glue to dry and then join surfaces
If you use a spray adhesive, apply removable tape on areas you don’t want the glue to cover. For the application with felt and wood, joining surfaces while the glue is still drying may be a better option as you can smooth out any air pockets and bumps.
A glue gun would work better on smaller areas. Elmer’s glue is an excellent recommendation for small spaces and works well on wood. The type of paintbrushes and rollers would depend on the glue you choose. A foam brush works well with wood contact cement.
2. Cut And Clean The Wood And Felt
The next step is all about getting the felt ready for gluing. Trim the felt in the shape and size of the wood. Use a larger piece of felt for larger wooden surfaces and trim the ends later.
Once the pieces are cut out, check that the felt is clean and free from dust or debris. If you’re struggling to get the dirt or stains out of felt, use steam on a very low level to disperse the stain.
To prepare the wooden surface, rub lightly with sandpaper to make it a little rough. A rougher surface can help the wood bond with the glue and the felt. Wipe away the dust and ensure that the wood is clean and dry.
3. Apply The Glue To The Felt And The Wood
Using a foam roller or a brush, directly apply the glue to the surfaces of the felt and the wood. Apply the glue to the wood and the felt, or If you prefer, apply the glue to only one surface. Either way works well, but to be safe, check the directions on the glue for the best way to use the product.
However, it’s essential to be careful not to apply too much glue. Apply only a thin layer to both surfaces. Cover the entire surface you want to join together, ensuring the glue is evenly spread.
If you’re concerned about the glue and how it may react to the felt or the wood, a good tip would be to test a small piece. Apply the glue to an extra piece of felt and see what happens. You could even attach it to a piece of wood if you have extra to see if the bond will be strong enough.
4. Apply The Felt To The Wood
Once the glue has been brushed or rolled over the felt (or both the felt and the wood), you are ready to place the felt on the wood. Align the felt and put it flat down on the surface of the wood. Press down lightly on the surface. If you have used rubber cement as the glue, let the glue dry first before placing the felt onto the wood.
Gently smooth the felt out with your hands. You can use a clean roller to ensure contact between the felt and the wood. Be careful here, as too much pressure in a specific direction could stretch the felt.
5. Drying Time To Glue Felt To Wood
The glue needs enough time to bond and dry properly. Place a heavy object on the felt to ensure it sticks properly. However, the key here is to have an even surface, so use items that can cover the entire surface simultaneously and provide consistent pressure.
If you see any dripping or excess glue, wipe this up quickly before it dries. Wait for about 5 to 10 minutes for the glue to dry. If you have any residual felt that you need to trim, now would be the right time.
Conclusion
To glue felt to wood, you first need to have all the materials at hand, such as glue, wood, felt, scissors, a ruler, and a foam roller. Ensure the materials are clean, and then apply glue to the surface of the felt and the wood. Attach the felt to the wood and press down. Give the glue time to dry, and trim away excess felt if necessary.
