One of the top questions I get is how to tolex a cab or what glue to use. Below is detailed information covering the overall process, products, and tools needed. Consider this page a guide—there are many valid techniques depending on your workspace setup and experience level.

This tutorial is designed as a beginner course, assuming one person is carrying out the work alone.

• Pick a black tolex like Nubtex or Bronco: While bright colors or snakeskin patterns are tempting, black is far more forgiving for beginners and hides minor imperfections well.
• Smooth prep work: Ensure your cabinets are sanded completely smooth with rounded edges.
• Dust removal: Wipe off all sanding dust. A cloth damp with methylated spirits will pull away fine particles left behind after brushing.
• Test fit metal corners early: Check that your corner hardware sits completely flush before applying any tolex. If necessary, sand/trim extra wood from the cabinet corners until they fit properly.
• Pre-paint interior: Paint the inside of your cabinet black ahead of time.

• Felt-tip pen
• Straight edge ruler (at least as long as your cabinet’s total width)
• Good quality scissors
• Lino/inking roller or a smooth silicone block with slightly rounded edges
• A few 3" and 1" inexpensive paint brushes
• Appropriate contact adhesive/glue
• Amp hardware (Tolex, corners, feet, screws, handle)
• A heavy-duty, sharp utility knife (e.g., Stanley knife with fresh blades). Avoid thin snap-off utility blades as they flex during precise cuts.

While various adhesives are available, we recommend Selleys KwikGrip for consistent results:

• Standard Tin (Recommended): Great overall performance and bond strength.
• Gel Formula: Allows slightly longer open work time.
• Spray Adhesive: An expensive and messy alternative (a 1L tin of KwikGrip is usually sufficient for an entire amp head, whereas spray cans deplete quickly).

Example Dimensions: Cabinet measuring 425mm Wide x 250mm High x 250mm Deep (using a piece of tolex measuring 1350mm x 1000mm).

• Clear a large, clean, flat workbench space.
• Lay the tolex out flat. Position the cabinet 50mm in from the top and side edges. Trace one side, the top panel, and the opposite side.

• This leaves a primary main piece marked out to approximately 1025mm x 350mm.

• Cut a second separate piece measuring 525mm x 300mm to cover the bottom panel.
• Trace your layout lines cleanly on the backing material so you know precisely where to apply glue without wasting product.

• Thoroughly stir the KwikGrip glue before application.
• Using a 3" brush, apply a thin, even layer to the larger piece of tolex, staying within your marked boundary lines.
• Ensure the coat is even (roughly the thickness of thinly spread butter) without over-brushing, which can cause contact cement to clump.
• Apply a matching layer of glue to the top and side surfaces of the cabinet.
• Apply glue to the smaller bottom piece of tolex.
• Crucial Step: Allow all glued surfaces to dry until tacky and touch-dry (no wet residue on fingers).

• Align the side panel of the cabinet onto the marked tolex. Ensure alignment is square so the material rolls straight.
• Roll the cabinet onto its top panel, then over onto the second side panel.
• Flip the cabinet upright onto its bottom, then firmly roll/press the tolex down with your roller or silicone block to work out any air pockets.
• Apply a thin layer of glue along the bottom wood panel and adjacent inner lips. Let dry until tacky.
• Fold the overlapping side flaps onto the bottom panel without applying excessive force.
• Lay the final separate bottom piece of tolex over the top of the folded side flaps.
• Using a sharp straight edge and utility knife, cut cleanly through both layers at once along the seam.

• Peel off the top scrap strip, lift the main edge slightly to pull out the under-layer scrap, then press both fresh edges together for a tight, invisible seam.

Relief cuts allow the tolex to fold clean and flat around inner corners:

• Apply glue inside the cabinet edge (approx. 20–25mm deep) and onto the corresponding tolex flaps.
• Once tacky, firmly pull the flap over the lip and smooth it down into the cabinet interior.
• Trim excess corner overlaps as shown in the diagrams below:

Visual demonstrations are helpful when learning corner cuts and seam joining. Below are selected video references demonstrating various professional cabinet covering techniques: