Replacing the Pool Table Felt & Cushion

The felt on pool tables allows the balls to roll smoothly, so the fabric must be clean and free of wrinkles to properly play the game. The cushion also needs to be in good shape and firmly in place in order to use that part of the table most effectively. Older or worn tables might require felt and cushion replacement to return to their original condition. Although It will take some work, you can refurbish your table on your own.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Felt
  • Screwdriver
  • Staple remover
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Heavy books or other flat objects for weight
  • Staple gun
  • 3/8 inch staples
  • Utility knife
  • Replacement cushion material
  • Sandpaper
  • Lacquer thinner or ketone
  • Old cloth
  • Contact adhesive
  • Carpenter's level
  • Cushion facing material
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the playing surface of the table, and then add 2 feet to the total measurement. Buy this amount of felt.

    • 2

      Unscrew the fasteners underneath the table to remove the rails.

    • 3

      Pull out the staples from under the rails and pull the felt from the surface of the table.

    • 4

      Vacuum the bare table, paying attention to the corners.

    • 5

      Lay the new felt onto the surface of the table and smooth the cloth from the center to the outside. Weight it down with the books.

    • 6

      Staple down the felt, beginning with three staples in the middle of one side of the table and then again on the opposite side. Work back and forth and from end to end, three staples at a time, to keep the tension even on the felt. Stop each line three inches away from the corners.

    • 7

      Slice through the cloth at the corners with the utility knife, making one cut on each side and one in the middle of the space. Pull the fabric snugly into the corners and staple it to the table. Cut away excess fabric around the table using the utility knife.

    • 8

      Pull out the staples from the underside of the side rails that you removed earlier and remove the fabric. Lay it out to use as a pattern for the new felt.

    • 9

      Cut out new rail coverings according to the pattern in Step 8.

    • 10

      Sand the surface of the new cushion on the side to be glued.

    • 11

      Remove old glue from the rails with lacquer thinner or ketone and an old cloth. Sand the length of the sub-rails and brush it off with the cloth.

    • 12

      Spread contact adhesive to both the wood and the rubber surfaces to be bonded together.

    • 13

      Set the carpenter's level on the top of each rail and smooth each cushion in place, one at a time, keeping them straight with the level. Let the adhesive set overnight and then slice off excess length with the utility knife.

    • 14

      Coat the exposed cushions and the cushion facings with adhesive and attach them together. Let the adhesive bond overnight before cutting off the extra length with the utility knife.

    • 15

      Use the felt pieces from Step 9 to wrap the rails and then staple the felt onto the bottom side of the rails, beginning from the middle and working to the outside ends. Cut off the extra length and trim the fabric underneath to allow access to the rails' screw holes.

    • 16

      Nail the rails back into their places surrounding the table surface.