PVA as headlining adhesive???

saltwater_gypsy

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Jan 2008
Messages
1,946
Location
Now back in Scotland . Boat for sale
www.saltwatergypsy.com
One of the winter jobs is to replace the headlining material.
As liveaboards we can't really use the solvent based adhesives otherwise we will be permanently intoxicated if not permanently brain damaged.
Has anybody had experience of using water based PVA adhesive (the sort that is used for woodworking) for this job.
All advice appreciated.
 
PVA is water soluble innit? Dont use spray adhesive, remember what happened in Pwllhelli a few months ago!
Stu
 
i used a carpet glue no solvent can only remember it was made by Ball if you go to a carpet fitters supply shop and tell them what you want to use it for they will have the correct stuff and not to expensive,you also get a bit of working time so if it dosnt look good you can take it of and re position it
 
I used PVA to fix my foam backed vynl 5 years ago and it is still holding fast as I found out when trying to re-route a cable.
However my cabin roof was lined with plywood so that may explain its good adhesion. I dont think it would work as well on Fibreglass or painted surfaces.
 
Ive Just used the exterior type pva .
It says that it even works underwater and in damp conditions.
Its only been on the head lining a couple of weeks but It seem to be holding well
 
After trying to replace a headlining in a 30 footer we owned some years ago I was not looking forward to replacing the one in our 42 cat.

The option of painting or tiling was going to be simpler but would not look as good and would not stop condensation.

The ultimate fix was to strip the old liner and and put up some lightweight Formica style sheeting with stained and varnished battens over the sheet joins, 2.6m by 1.2m made it fast and simple.

If we had any areas that could not be sheeted due to tight or compound curves we planned to apply Cork tiles, however this was not required, the result looks fabulous.

We plan to line the galley and nav station this season to finish the whole area (Galley up on bridge deck).

Colour id high gloss white, contrasts very nicely with the timber trim.

Avagoodweekend......
 
Water resistant PVA wood glue is fine for sticking the lining onto wooden panels.

That is what I used and it was supplied for the purpose by Hawke House. I'd always recommend it for obvious reasons.

Sometime ago when I mentioned it on here someone queried its use in warm conditions. Well I have had couple of pieces of ply stuck together with it sitting on top of the central heating pump for a good few months. Still stuck together as solid as a rock!

I do not think it would be suitable for sticking onto the GRP though. For that I used a combination of a solvent (methylbenzene) based high temperature adhesive and an aerosol spray, again as supplied by Hawke House. But as you rightly note it is a hazardous material needing good ventilation and and the wearing of an "organic vapours" mask. Also highly flammable of course.

Searush will be along shortly to show us pictures of how he supported the old headlining in his Pentland with wooden battens.
 
The spray on carpet adhesive is full of solvent - it will make your head spin. I used it in my aft cabin when I did it up to convert it from "Bosun's locker" into chic pad for 12 year old G-daughter. I replaced the foam liner on the walls with bathroom carpet for a lovely soft, warm result. G-D thinks it's great.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hawke House do sell a PVA adhesive for headlining. Our results doing it in winter were disaappointing and we reverted to using a benzene type contact glue.

[/ QUOTE ]Most contact adhesives are Toluene based. Benzene is highly carcinogenic.
 
On our previous boat we used copydex to fix new headlinings onto the fibreglass, as stated on the container it said suitable for cloth, plywood and all hard surfaces, washable if used on material. Worked well easy to position unlike contact adhesive and no fumes.
 
10 years ago I decided to change the side lining in my Westerly 25. (there is no headlining). I tried all sorts of adhesives and found that Copydex worked really well sticking foam rubber to the painted grp surface. This stuff is a bit like liquid rubber and not not seem to have much smell. I think schools use it so it should be OK health and safety wise. My lining remains firmly in place and suggest you try a small sample patch with this on your project.
cheers
Martin
 
I would imagine that the problem with PVA is persuading the lining to stay there until the glue has set. I tried some "no-more-nails" stuff (which is a pVA I think) to stick battens to the deckhead and although it gripped OK at first, all the bits fell off within minutes.
 
Top