How to Install Simonis Pool Table Cloth: A Step-by-Step Guide
Installing pool table cloth is one of the most impactful things you can do to improve your table's playing surface — but it's a job that requires patience and attention to detail. This guide walks you through the full process for installing Simonis cloth on a standard pool table.
What You'll Need
- Simonis pool table cloth (bed cloth + rail cloth)
- Staple gun with 3/8" staples
- 3M No. 10 contact adhesive (for rail cloth)
- Foam brushes
- Scissors or a sharp utility knife
- A straightedge or ruler
- Flat iron or cloth iron (optional, for removing wrinkles)
- Feather strips or rubber feather stripping
Step 1: Remove the Old Cloth
Start by removing the rails from the table. Most tables have bolts underneath the slate that secure the rails — remove these and lift the rails off. Pull the old cloth off the bed and rails. Use a staple remover or flathead screwdriver to pull out any remaining staples from the slate or rail wood.
Inspect the slate underneath. Fill any chips or cracks with Plas-Co slate cement and let it dry fully before proceeding.
Step 2: Lay the Bed Cloth
Unroll the Simonis bed cloth and lay it across the slate. Center it so there's an even overhang on all sides — you'll need at least 3–4 inches of excess on each side to wrap under and staple.
Simonis cloth has a nap (direction of the fibers). Make sure the nap runs from the foot of the table toward the head — this is the direction the ball should roll smoothly. You can feel the nap by running your hand along the cloth.
Step 3: Stretch and Staple
This is the most important step. Starting at the center of one long side, pull the cloth firmly over the edge of the slate and staple it to the underside of the rail wood or slate apron. Work outward from the center toward the corners, keeping consistent tension as you go.
Move to the opposite side and repeat — pulling firmly to remove any slack before stapling. Then do the two short sides the same way. The goal is a surface that's drum-tight with no ripples or bubbles.
At the corners, fold the cloth neatly (like wrapping a gift) and staple securely.
Step 4: Install the Feather Strips
Feather strips are thin wooden or rubber strips that lock the cloth into the groove at the edge of the rail. Press them firmly into place along each rail groove on top of the cloth — this creates a clean, professional edge where the cloth meets the cushion.
Step 5: Cloth the Rails
Rail cloth is applied differently from bed cloth — it's glued rather than stapled. Apply a thin, even coat of 3M No. 10 contact adhesive to both the back of the rail cloth and the rail surface using a foam brush. Let both surfaces dry for 5–10 minutes until they're tacky but not wet.
Carefully align the cloth with the rail and press it firmly into place. Contact adhesive bonds on contact, so get the alignment right before pressing — once it touches it won't reposition easily. Use a roller or firm pressure to bond the cloth fully to the rail.
Step 6: Reinstall the Rails
Once the rail cloth is fully bonded and dry, bolt the rails back onto the table. Start bolts by hand, then tighten evenly in a cross pattern to avoid warping the rails.
Tips for a Professional Result
- Take your time on the stretch — a loose cloth is the most common installation mistake.
- Work in a warm room. Cold cloth is stiffer and harder to stretch evenly.
- If you see a bubble or ripple after stapling, pull the staples out and redo that section. It's worth the extra time.
- Simonis cloth can be lightly ironed on a low, no-steam setting to remove storage wrinkles before installation.
Shop Simonis Cloth and Installation Supplies
Atlas Supplies carries Simonis 760, 860, and 860HR cloth in all standard colors, plus everything you need for installation — contact adhesive, foam brushes, feather strips, slate cement, and more.