Pool games are one of the most popular indoor games. Whether you are a teenager or a 50-year-old, the game of pool is always exciting as ever. Mdf stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. Mdf is getting more popular among general people because of its technological advancement and price.
If you are pondering whether you can refelt a Mdf pool table, the answer is YES! You can easily re-felt it in a matter of a few hours with professional help. Reflecting the pool table once in a while can boost the playing experience by several times.
Refelt A Mdf Pool Table :-
It is definitely possible to refill an MDF pool table. Yet, it can be done by yourself, it is better to hire a professional so that you can ensure perfect installation and alignment. It is obvious that the professionals have the expertise for the best result and to prolong the lifespan of your MDF pool table.
Don’t rush to refelt the pool table just reading this much. These are just a summary of the whole process. To know about it properly read ahead and help yourself to know about the process and perform it in a proper way.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- It is important to know how to remove the old felt and install the new felt without damaging the mdf pool table.
- It is crucial to know how to choose the materials according to your preference.
- Understanding the basics of the whole process is important.
Can You Refelt A Mdf Pool Table
If you ever wondered whether can you refelt a mdf pool table or not, certainly, you can. You can hire a team of professionals. You can also do it on your own but if you are a complete beginner, it is better to have a professional team do it as it is a delicate process. At least, have a professional consultation and help from someone with experience. In this process, you need to take someone’s help, because it can’t be done alone.
How To Refelt A Mdf Pool Table [Step By Step]
If you are curious to know how to refelt a pool table yourself? Yes but as the playing experience of a pool game solely depends on the playing surface of the table, it is a must to do everything carefully. Otherwise, the pool table will be unusable. Follow these steps for the mdf pool table refelt process we also discuss tip pool table installers.
- Remove The Rails
- Discard The Old Felt
- Clean The Table
- Measure & Cut The New Felt
- Install The New Felt On The Table
- Attach The Railing To The Table
Remove The Rails
When it is time for refelting a pool table, the first step to refelt a pool table is to remove the rails. This way, it will be easier to remove the old felt from both the table and the rails. Moreover, to attach the new felt on the table, rails, and especially the corners, it is necessary to remove the rails beforehand.
Discard The Old Felt
Discarding the old feeling is easy. At the same, it can be slightly critical as you need to be super careful not to damage the table surface underneath the felt.
On The Table
Removing the old felt is simple yet challenging. For glued felt, start pulling the felt from one corner. Then, slowly and gently pull the felt of the entire table. Try to pull it in a way that no residue of the fabric remains on the surface.
For staple felt, extract the staples using a flathead screwdriver and pliers. If the staples are stapled under the table, lie down for a better angle. It is highly advisable to wear goggles during this whole process as there are risks of staples getting into your eyes.
On The Railing
It is the same process on the railing as the table except for one thing. In the table, the felt is glued or stapled on all four sides but on the rails, it is only one side. The other side is attached using a feather strip. When you are working on that side, first use a flathead screwdriver and use it as a liver to pull out a corner of the feather strip. Then, pull the feather strip and the felt. Be as gentle as possible. Otherwise, you might break the strip.
Clean The Table
This is the most crucial step in the entire process. It is extremely important to clean perfectly for a smooth surface. A mere bump on the surface may affect the playing performance. You can use a sander to smooth a rough wood table top. Start by brushing to remove the extra particles from the table. Then lightly sand the pool table with fine-grit sandpaper or an electric device (like a sander). Clean the remaining wood chips. Lastly, use a damp lint-free cloth to remove the remaining dust particles from sanding. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes before going to the next step. You can use a sandpaper or rust remover to remove rust from steel table legs if it has steel legs.
Measure & Cut The New Felt
The new felt comes with coverage for both the table and the rails. You need to measure the felt for the table and cut the excess part to use on the rails. Be careful not to waste anything as it is expensive.
Install The New Felt On The Table
Before the actual process, drap the felt on the playing surface. Now, carefully inspect the felt and remove any leftover particles (small pieces of yarn). It is better to have a helping hand during this step as you might need it. Then, pick up the cloth on both sides at the same time, and sweep it across the table a few times before placing it back upside down. It will remove the particles that remained by the side that was previously on the table.
On The Table
There are two ways for this step. You can use staples or glue to attach the felt to the table. For stapling, staple one side first and secure it nicely. Then, go to the opposite side and staple it by stretching the fabric as much as possible. Staple the other two sides in the same way. Now, for the pockets, start with the corner pockets. Stretch the fabric and staple it first in the middle, cut the fabric in the middle with fabric scissors, then on both sides, and lastly, staple it in the quarter parts. Similarly, staple both middle pockets.
To use glue, choose the glue according to the material of the felt and the pool table. Divide the table into a few sections and start working section by section. Apply the glue to a specific section and attach the fabric. Scrap it with a scrapper as much as you need for a smooth surface. Have a few people to help you as it is effective that way.
On The Railing
First, attach one part using the feather strip. Then, stretch out the other part by pulling it and secure the felt on the rail using a staple or glue. Don’t pull too hard as it might affect the other side. If the table’s other parts are damaged as well, it is time to refinish the table.
Attach The Railing To The Table
Assemble all the parts of the railing and attach it to the pool table using the connectors. During this process you can move the pool table to replace flooring if needed.
Tip For pool table installers
If the installation was smooth and uneventful, a standard tip of 10-15% of the total installation cost is customary. For example, if the installation cost $200, a $20-$30 tip would be appropriate.
Is Mdf Good For Pool Tables?
Yes and no. Yes, because Mdf pool tables are lightweight compared to slate or billiards tables (how to refelt a billiard table). It has foldable legs which make it easier to move and you can fold anytime if you need space. Mdf tables are less expensive than other pool tables. So, it can be good for you if you are looking for a table in a low price range.
No, because it can be a major drawback as it is not as sturdy as slate pool tables or solid wood tables fix.
Reasons For Reflecting A Mdf Pool Table
Some reasons for reflecting a Mdf pool table:
What Tools And Materials Do You Need To Refelt An Mdf Pool Table?
To learn about how to refelt a mdf pool table properly, you need to have an idea about the tools and materials used in this process:
Materials Used In This Process :-
- You need a staple gun for securing the felt to the underside of the table.
- Staple. It is used to set the felt to the pool table.
- Glue (if needed). If you are not stapling the felt, using glue is the only alternative. You can use a spray can or a glue gun.
- Pool Table Cloths. It is the felt you are replacing the old one with.
- Cleaning Tools. For the cleaning step, you need fine-grit sandpaper or an electric sander, a damp lint-free piece of cloth, and a mild chemical stripper if residues are left from the old felt.
- Other Tools. You may also need a flathead screwdriver, pliers, fabric scissors, scrapper, etc.
- Safety Gears. You might need gloves and safety goggles.
Cost Considerations For Reflecting MDF Pool Table
Refelting pool tables can be expensive, the cost of refelting depends on the situation or the materials. Try having a clear idea of the different costs so that you can modify your decisions anytime.
Cost Of The Felt
There are different types of felt with different specifications. Most of them narrowed down to two categories- 1. Worsted & 2. Napped. Worsted felt is a premium quality felt that ensures a higher playing experience and durability and also is higher in price. Napped felt, on the other hand, is a medium-quality felt that provides an average playing experience and needs frequent maintenance with a comparatively low price range.
Now, what type of cloth you are going to use depends on you. If you are an average player and play for fun and want to reduce the cost, napped felt might be the one for you. But if you are worried about the quality of game and willing to pay more, you can easily choose the worsted cloth.
Cost Of Repairing Any Damage
If the pool table is old, there is a high chance it might be a little damaged. The repair cost depends on 3 things. 1. the type of pool tables (billiard tables, pool tables, snooker tables, etc), 2. Material of the table (slate tables, mdf tables, etc), 3. Size of the table ( repairing larger tables is more costly). So, you should consider having a budget for repairing in terms of the pool table you have.
Cost Of Professional Help
If you have enough funds and are completely new to refelting, it will be sensible to have professionals do it. A DIY project might be a title too risky for this, especially on expensive tables. The cost of a professional team depends on the experience and popularity of the company. To get a reasonable price, you can explore different companies and do thorough research comparing their efficiency to the price range and choose what’s best for you.
In case you can’t afford a professional team, you should find someone you know who has experience in it. Also, you can get help from someone with some experience at a comparatively low cost.
Tips For Reflecting An Mdf Pool Table
How to refelt a wood pool table? Reflecting is a complicated process. It is crucial to follow the steps completely. However, It might be a little less complicated if you follow up on certain tips.
After you are done, run a few simulations using a ball and cue stick. If any problems are found, adjust the feeling immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
How Heavy Is An Mdf Pool Table?
It may depend on the size of the table but mostly around 175 to 225 pounds (approximately 80-100 kilograms).
How Long Do Mdf Pool Tables Last?
Mdf pool tables are designed to be cost-effective. It is comparatively less durable than a slate table. The best Mdf pool table can last around 5-10 years.
Where Should You Not Use Mdf?
You should not use Mdf in outdoor pool tables. Mdf is not good at dealing with heat and it is not water resistant.
Can I Use Any Type Of Pool Table Cloth For My Mdf Table?
If you are fine with a mid-level playing experience, you can use any type of pool table cover. But if you want a professional-level performance and a quality table, go for the best option which is worsted cloth.
Are There Any Special Care Instructions For The Newly Refelted Table?
While working on it, try to keep your hands clean. Otherwise, you might stain the new felt. If you use adhesive, let it completely dry before using. Try to brush the felt every day with a soft-bristled brush to keep it new.
Conclusion
Can you refelt a mdf pool table? Well, yes. With the help of the right tools and following the correct steps, you can do it anytime. However, to preserve its playing performance, durability, and beauty, have professionals do it. If you want to do it yourself, get assistance from professionals or someone with experience. This way, you can use your pool table for a long time.
To learn more about restoring , stay with Table Restore.
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