repair book spine – How To Repair Your Favourite Books

Repairing the Spine of a Book – Part 6

GLUING DOWN THE ENDPAPERS AND TIGHTENING THE HINGES

Use the rounded end of a microspatula to feed glue between the lifted endpapers and the cover boards. Feed the glue all the way down to the point where the end papers are still attached to the board and into the hinge area.
Use a folder to work the end papers into position, working from the center of the end paper toward the edge of the book board. Wipe away any excess glue that is worked out.
Apply glue to the cut flaps and press them into position. There may be a thin gap between the flap and the edge of the endpaper.
Lay a strip of wax paper in the joint areas. Put the book in a book press or insert rods in the hinges and press under weight for 10 minutes.
Open the book carefully and test the front and back hinges. If the hinges are loose, tighten them following the directions in the post Tightening Book Hinges. If they seem tight, replace the wax paper and return the book to the press or weights and dry overnight.

Repairing the Spine of a Book – Part 5

TUCKING IN THE REPAIR PATCH

TURNING IN UNDER THE END PAPER

Before applying any glue to the repair patch turn-in, fold it in position to make sure the patch is placed correctly.
Starting on either edge of the repair patch, carefully begin to tuck the turn-in into the space between the end paper and the board. As one side is tucked in, the rest of the turn-in will follow.
With the entire patch tucked in place, gently crease the top edge of the patch along the boards and in the spine area with your fingers.
Set the book on the work table with the repaired end of the spine resting on the table. The edge of the new spine book cloth should be level with the original boards so it rests flat and even against the table.
If there is space between the table and repair patch or if the book cloth wrinkles against the table, the position of the turn-in is not correct. Readjust the turn-in and check it again.
When the turn-in is positioned correctly, lay the book on the table so that the spine is flat against the table: Use the pointed end of a folder to crease the folded repair patch along the top of the book boards and the spine turn-in. This crease will help correctly position the turn-in after the glue is applied. Folding and creasing the turn-in before it is glued assures the finished turn-in will be in the correct position.
Unfold the turn-in and apply glue to the inside of the patch turn-in. Working from either side of the repair patch, refold the glued repair patch turn-in under the end paper. Continue until the entire patch is tucked in place then crease the edge of the patch with your fingers.
Set the book on the work table with the repaired end of the spine resting on the table. Check that the spine edge of the new spine book cloth is level with the original boards and rests even against the table. Remember, if there is any space visible between the table and the repair patch or if the book cloth wrinkles against the table, the position of the turn-in is not correct. Readjust the turn-in and check it again.
Position the book on the table so that the length of the spine is resting on the table. Use a pointed end of a folder to crease the folded and glued repair patch along the top of the book boards and the spine turn-in.
Use the long edge of a folder to work the repair patch and book cloth into the hinge joints of the book. At this point the patch will be attached to the original book cloth and the book boards.

Repairing the Spine of a Book – Part 1

To make this repair a little less complex, I have broken it down into 6 stages. Each stage will have its own post :

Often the head or tail area of a book cover spine wears out while the rest of the book is still in good condition. Damage at the head of the spine is often caused by improper handling and shelving techniques, especially pulling a book off the shelf incorrectly i.e.by pulling at the head of the spine instead of placing thumb and fingers around the spine about halfway down.
NOTE: This set of instructions can be used to repair the head or tail area of a spine. To simplify the instructions, the repair is described for the head of the book.

MEASURING AND CUTTING THE REPAIR PATCH
I have a separate post on how to measure books for repair work.

Cut a strip of paper 2” wide and 6 – 10” long. Wrap the paper snugly around the book spine and mark the edges of the spine.
Place the marks at the edge of the paper. Add 1 – 2” to both sides of the book spine marks depending on the amount of damage. This measurement is the width of the book cloth patch needed to repair the tornheader.

Cut a piece of book cloth the width of the total measurement (spine plus 2 – 4”) and the length of the spine damage plus 1 l/2”.
The corners of the repair patch tend to curl when the patch is inserted, so trim them off diagonally. Cut only the very tip of the corner.

Fit the repair patch on the outside of the book and check to see that the fit is correct. The patch should extend at least 5/8” above the book board and l/2” below the bottom of the spine damage.