Abstract: A process for restoring a suction press shell used in the removal of water in the formation of paper sheets, the shell consisting of a metal cylinder bonded with a rubber cover and perforated by multiple drainage holes which extend from the inner surface to the outer surface of the shell, the inner surface of the metal cylinder being worn and having lost its uniform aspect, the process comprises the steps of: cleaning and roughening the outer metal surface of the cylinder, winding under tension on the outer surface of the cylinder successive layers of a woven glass or synthetic fiber tape from 2 to 6 inches wide, and impregnating with a concentration of 35 to 55% of thermosetting resin until the required thickness of the tape for stiffening the cylinder within acceptable deflection limits is reached, each layer of tape overlapping the preceding layer by 25 to 90% at an angle of wrap of 5.degree. to 15.degree.