Re: [VAL] how to remove the tambours from spiral plastic ends?

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Marg,

I'm assuming that because you describe the spirals as the black ones you 
are referring to the ones for a horizontal pull door such as the galley 
cabinet doors. Vertical doors, such as the galley overheads are 
generally brown or white.
There are no accessable screws to remove the galley door spiral. It is 
necessary to remove the tambour material from the track and spiral first.
To remove the material from a horizontal door it is necessary to loosen 
the track extrusion to allow it to move either up or down and open up 
the gap the door rides in. To do this locate the junction of a vertical 
support and the track of the door you are working on. In  case of the 
galley it is under or near the sink. These two metal extrusions are 
connected with either screws from the inside or a 1/8" rivet from the 
front. More often it is riveted. The rivet is covered by the laminate 
material in the face of the track extrusion. You must feel for it, mark 
it, and drill it out with a 1/8" drill. Once the track is loosen open up 
the gap and pull the tambour completely out. To reinstall reverse the 
procedure using a 1/8" all aluminum pop rivet to reattach the 
extrusions. Most folks will then put a dab of brown paint on it to help 
cover it up.
It is now possible to access and clean the upper and lower spirals. Some 
years had a metal cover enclosing the spiral to keep junk out of them. 
The cover is screwed into place.
Take note of the condition of the small tab on the spiral which extends 
out to the track. This little piece of plastic is vital to the smooth 
operation of the door. If it is missing or damaged the door will close 
easily but snag repeatedly when opening. It will tear up the tambour 
material very quickly. If either damaged or missing you need to devise a 
replacement.
One of the better lubricants for tambour doors is spray silicone. It is 
not absorbed and does not stain the material or cause it to swell. Often 
times if a door is simply sticking a heavy application of silicone spray 
starting on the lower track will cure the problem. Just spray at the 
spiral side of the material and move the door back and forth to help it 
pull silicone into the spiral.

Charlie