Degraded Foam and it's adhesive removal????

[hanjae]

Degraded Foam and it\'s adhesive removal????

All my cabin lining has been in the boat since the early 80's and now it has degraded to the level that the vinyl is separating and all falling away.
What is the beset thing to remove the crumbling old glued on foam? It is mainly the old adhesive and I do not wan to use chemicals that will damage the fiberglass!

 

[Superstrath]

Re: Degraded Foam and it\'s adhesive removal????

Scrape it as best you can, then use the special disk from Hawke House in a grinder. Make sure you wear a proper filtered mask, and you will be surprised how quickly it gets the old stuff off. Makes a hell of a mess, have a vacuum cleaner on hand to clean up, and don't wear your best clothes.
I did one of the double cabins on our boat in three fifteen minute sessions, very hard, hot work, but worth it.
When you put the new stuff up, make sure it is cut oversize, and trim it in situ.
We did one cabin a year ago and it looks very nice.
Can't overstate the need for a very good mask, though, for the whole job. Hawke House can supply, again, although I'm sure there are other suppliers. That's just who we used.

 

[marcost]

Re: Degraded Foam and it\'s adhesive removal????

had same problem on bavaria of 16 years.
I sanded the old glue layer and glued with a water based glue for carpets fleeze tissue on it. it is a vary cheap sollution and the result is splendid, it is like a new boat

 

[jerryat]

Re: Degraded Foam and it\'s adhesive removal????

I did the whole of my Fulmar a couple of years ago. Whilst the disc-type thingy that Hawke House sell is ok (you can get 'em much cheaper in B and Q by the way) by far the most effective was a steel wire-cup brush in a 75mm or 100mm angle grinder used without the guard which makes it too restrictive in the corners etc. Some people prefer a brass wire cup and that's fine, but I tried these and found them much less effective timewise than steel.

This method really shifts the residue very quickly and leaves an almost completely clean surface for the new stuff.

As others have said, you absolutely MUST wear goggles (in case a wire breaks off!) and I also wore a pair of gloves otherwise your hands get the sticky bits all over 'em!. One BIG tip: cover down the floor and adjacent woodwork well. I didn't, and getting the sticky residue of the floor when this awful operation was finished, took HOURS! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Stay away from any form of solvent treatment/cleaning - it doesn't work anything like as well, is expensive and the fumes created are damned uncomfortable and potentially lethal.

Having tried all sorts at first, I assure you the angle grinder is way out in front for this rotten job. The very best of luck to you, you'll be totally delighted with your boat when it's all finished! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[yerffoeg]

Re: Degraded Foam and it\'s adhesive removal????

I did this job a few years ago. See old threads for useful advice. Agree that wire brush attached to angle grinder is most efficient way to get most of the old vinyl off. Wear a good quality dust mask.
For remaining residue use scotchbrite or similar soaked in Blake's thinner number 5 or acetone. When using organic solvents always wear thick rubber gloves; wear a proper mask eg 3M solvent mask; and try and ventilate the area well preferably using a fan.