How to Replace Pool Table Felt
Worn, torn, or faded cloth drags down every game, and eventually every table needs a fresh bed. Re-clothing is one of the more approachable pool table projects, but it hides a few traps that separate a crisp professional result from a wrinkled, bunched mess. Here is what the job really involves so you can decide whether to tackle it yourself.
How hard is it really
Re-clothing sits in the middle of the difficulty scale. The bed itself, the flat slate surface, is the forgiving part. The rails are where the skill lives, because the cloth must wrap tightly around the cushions and tuck cleanly into the pockets and feather strips with no puckers.
A careful DIYer with a free afternoon can get a good result on the bed. Many first-timers do the bed themselves and pay a mechanic to dress the rails, which is a sensible split. If your table has glued cloth rather than stapled, the job is trickier and messier, and a pro is often worth it.
Tools and materials
Gather everything before you start, because a re-cloth goes badly when you stop halfway to find a tool. You will want:
- New cloth cut oversize for both the bed and the rails.
- A staple gun and plenty of staples, or spray adhesive for glued tables.
- A staple remover and needle-nose pliers for the old cloth.
- A screwdriver or wrench to remove the rails and pockets.
- A carpenter square and a sharp utility knife for trimming.
- Optional beeswax or seam filler for the slate seams.
Buy cloth sized for your table, and remember worsted cloth has no nap direction while napped cloth must be laid with the grain running consistently down the table.
The process and when to hire
The overall flow is straightforward. Remove the pockets and unbolt the rails, strip the old cloth from bed and rails, fill and sand the slate seams if needed, then lay the new bed cloth. Smooth it flat from the center outward, stretch it tight, and staple it under the slate edges with no wrinkles. Finally re-cloth each rail, stretching around the cushion and tucking into the pocket openings, then reattach the rails.
Consider hiring a professional if your slate is one solid piece that must come off, if the cloth is glued, or if you simply want a flawless tournament finish. A good mechanic re-cloths and re-levels in a couple of hours and guarantees the result, which for many owners is money well spent.
Our picks
Links open the current selection and price on Amazon so you can compare real reviews before buying.
Heavy-Duty Staple Gun
Fastening cloth to rails and slateA reliable manual or electric staple gun drives cleanly into the wood liner without jamming, which keeps a long job from becoming maddening.
Check price on AmazonPrecut Pool Table Cloth Kit
First-time re-clothingCloth sized for your table with enough margin for bed and rails takes the guesswork out of measuring and cutting.
Check price on AmazonStaple Remover and Pliers Set
Stripping old clothPulling hundreds of old staples by hand is brutal, so a dedicated remover and needle-nose pliers save your fingers and your time.
Check price on AmazonFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to re-cloth a pool table?
A confident DIYer should budget three to five hours for a full re-cloth, more the first time. A professional mechanic typically does the whole job, including re-leveling, in about two hours.
Can I put new cloth over the old cloth?
No. The old cloth must come off completely. Layering traps lumps and chalk, ruins the roll, and prevents a tight stretch. Always strip down to the bare slate and rails first.
Should I do the bed myself and hire out the rails?
That is a common and smart approach for beginners. The flat bed is forgiving, while the rails demand skill to wrap and tuck cleanly. Splitting the job saves money and still gets a sharp result.
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