Foam backed vinyl falling off.

[TQA]

I have some foam backed vinyl which was stck to the inside of the hull but has fallen off. The Vinyl is in good nick.

The foam is disintegrating so I guess I need to remove as much of the foam as possible then try and stick it back on.

I could apply contact cement to both surfaces but I only get ONE CHANCE to get it right and they are big pieces. Can I apply the contact cement to one side only and then try and work it up gradually. Will this give me a little bit of working time before it "grabs".

Or is there a better glue or method the forum would recommend .

 

[DavidTav]

I had this on my boat and in the end I replaced all the foam backed vinyl. It turned out not to be half as difficult as you might think and I believe a lot easier and more succesful than trying to restick the old stuff. I bought the materials from Jeckells in Norfolk. There is a trick with sticking the new stuff which makes it much easier. Apply the very sticky contact glue to the boat hull and spray the foam with spray on type glue. If you do this the material doesnt grab immediately and you can move it around for the best fit. In my opinion this job is no more difficult than wallpapering. You must take precautions to prevent breathing in the fumes though.

 

[Ubergeekian]

I have some foam backed vinyl which was stck to the inside of the hull but has fallen off. The Vinyl is in good nick.

The foam is disintegrating so I guess I need to remove as much of the foam as possible then try and stick it back on.

Don't even think about trying to restick the old stuff. Bite the bullet and buy new - you can use the old as templates. Hawke House Marine will flog you foam backed vinyly, un foam backed vinyl and some very effective 3M spray adhesive (get the professional quality mask as well) quite reasonably.

Only a happy customer - they supplied the kit I used for my Jouster (no reasonable offer refused).

 

[VicS]

I agree once it starts coming off and the foam is disintegrating it is time to replace the whole lot.

Also got mine and adhesives from Hawke House. I used contact adhesive on the grp and the spray on stuff on the lining.

On ply panels a water resistant PVA wood glue can be used. Easier to use and no nasty fumes.

The "organic vapours" mask together with good ventilation is essential when using a solvent base adhesive in an enclosed space!

Hawke House also supplied a useful hints leaflet.

 

[Searush]

Or you can simply fasten thin wooden battens over the headlining to fasten it up in an odd afternoon for under a tenner - it looks good & lasts well.

If you do decide to go to all the cost & hassle of glueing new stuff up (it will only last 15 years or so anyway) be careful with the adhesives. The solvents are highly inflammable & last year a catamaran in Pwllheli was burnt out completely when it blew up. It appears that the fridge pilot light ignited the glue fumes. Take care.

 

[yelbis]

I have carpet instead of vinyl lining that has started to peel, the underside having black mould evident, I can use a biocide cleaner and restick but what is the best approach to eliminating the condensation between hull and linings and the best adhesive?

I also have an ingress of water at some point in the forecabin but cant find the reason, the boat is a Dehler 34 1990.

Thanks

 

[higler]

I had the same problem only worse! There was a leak in the cabin roof and water had gotten in and went straight into the foam, to say it caused a problem is an understatement, it had crept right along the foam and got into the wood as well, and did it smell. I was thinking of tearing it all off and using the old pieces for patterns, but in the end I took it all off, levelled the glassfibre and painted it. To be honest I had a number of people who liked it and have decided they will do the same if theirs comes adrift. No more worries and if you get a leak you can spot it quickly and deal with it