I often receive emails asking for advice on repairing Filofax Organisers, I've repaired a few myself, so I'm just passing on some knowledge and experience. This was one such series of emails from Sue. I think she did an excellent job and the Filofax is ready for many more years service.
"I’m trying to repair my husband’s Slimline Executive Filofax but have literally come unstuck! I searched the Internet and came across your blog and am hoping you may be able to helpNot sure when my husband first got the Filofax - could be late 90’s early 00’s - but after many years of daily use the lining was torn, the spine had started to come away from the leather cover, the top and bottom edges were badly worn and it was handed to me to salvage!The lining covered the backplate and the ring mechanism snapped into place over the lining. Unfinished repair shown to illustrate. "
"I removed the rings and cut away the damaged lining revealing the backplate, which had come away, almost half way, from the leather. The backplate was stuck directly to the leather.There was nothing holding the backplate in place other than the adhesive, which was invisible. It was quite easy to remove the backplate completely without any damage to the leather."
"I reinforced the top and bottom edges with some leather from an old bag.I made a new lining which I attached to the original lining under the left pocket with double sided carpet tape, see first photo. This worked a treat and I was confident that the carpet tape would secure the back plate to the leather.I cleaned the backplate and surface wiped the leather with IPA and left for a couple of hours. I stuck the carpet tape to the backplate. It seemed very secure and would not pull away so proceeded to stick it in place to the leather. So far so good, the bond seemed secure.Two days later I returned to the repair to discover the tape adhesive attaching the backplate to the leather had gone gooey and the two sides could be pulled apart. I am so disappointed!"
"I now need to remove the residual adhesive from the leather and give it a good clean before I proceed.Then, hopefully, try again to fix the backplate in place. I need the backplate to be 100% secure before I secure the lining under the right pocket and stitch in place at the top and bottom edges, as there is no going back after this. "
At this point Sue contacted me at Philofaxy. Her questions in brief where:
I have no idea which adhesive would have been used in the first place but it lasted a very long time!"
- What should I use to remove the adhesive from the leather?
- How should I then prepare the leather and backplate?
- Which glue/method do I need to use to stick the backplate in place?
- Or, do I just admit defeat and try to get a new ring mechanism to fix through the leather? (Not my favourite choice as it would spoil the aesthetics, but may be the only solution)
Having seen organisers made at Van der Spek I had some knowledge of how the ring mechanisms were held in place etc.
I suggested replacing the fabric that covered the back plate with some thin leather and using Bostik (or similar), flexible epoxy type of adhesive to hold everything in place.
Sue followed my advice and as you will see it turned out really well.
"I’ve finally finished the repair and very pleased with the result. Ring mechanism seems very secure so fingers crossed. I did a ‘Repair Shop’ reveal and my husband was delighted and very impressed with my handiwork.I used the Bostik glue you recommended to attach the backplate to the cover.It took me quite a while to get a decent finish on the leather. Leather balm, even after buffing, felt sticky so had to clean it off. The same thing with black shoe polish.Eventually used pure soap and water and a baby tooth brush and cloth to clean off approx 30 years of grime then sparingly applied a leather conditioner and buffed.This gave a smooth finish but no shine so used a small amount of silicone furniture polish on a cloth which gave a nice sheen.Unconventional cleaning method I’m sure, but it seemed to work!!I have told him to stop using it like a filing cabinet!!"
All ready for 2026 and another year of service.
I really like the reinforcements on the spine that Sue added, that is often where wear first starts to show up.
Thank you Sue for contacting us and for sharing your work with us.
Have any of you attempted to repair an old Filofax?
Well done, Sue! That’s an amazing improvement.
ReplyDeleteI have a 3CL that is in the middle of a protracted repair. A common problem with binders of that era is the use of a leathercloth on the inner spine, that also holds the backing plate in place. This eventually fractures (to reveal the torn weave of the backing fabric), and the backing plate starts to come adrift, much as Sue's had.
ReplyDeleteI dismantled mine, removing the leathercloth entirely, which required unpicking the stitching of the pocket panels on either side. This revealed the construction method, where glue had been used to hold the backing plate in place (the adhesive residue was still rubbery, even after 40-ish years...). The leathercloth had also been glued in place over the backing plate, and to the main body of the binder, and then sewn; around the edges, and on each side of the backing plate. You can see this stitching down the side of the spine of many binders of that era.
I used Zippo lighter fluid (a highly refined petrol, essentially) to remove the residue of the glue from the backing plate & the leather.
I have some thin pigskin that I am intending to use to replace the leathercloth. But I have been prevaricating. However, this post has prompted me to go to the local hardware store, and buy some impact adhesive. That's the first step...
As someone who foresees problems, and prevaricates as a result, I am wondering about the subtle details of dimensions of the inner spine material, and how much 'slack' to provide; too small and the binder may not open well; too large, and it may not close well...
That was me...
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