The right adhesive

[lippym]

My easter project this weekend is to put a new vinyl lining in my cruiser. I am bonding directly to the glass fibre and was wondering which adhesive to use, as i don't want to melt/damage the glass fibre or the Vinyl (standard vinyl used for flooring) Can anyone suggest a product???

 

[Georgio]

The easiest way I have found is to use contact adhesive, use the tinned stuff painted onto the hull and leave for a short while to become tacky while using the spray-on variant on the back of the panel.

I bought all my materials from Hawke House in Gosport, they are also most helpful if you want advice. Google finds them

The main thing to be aware of when using contact adhesive are the fumes, if working in a confined space be especially careful it's not good for you!

 

[gcostell]

Hi, anyone have any good adhesive products for attaching carpet directly to GRP? Would like to cover my forepeak sides and ceiling with same.

 

[Mariner69]

I found copydex worked quite well with minimal fumes.

Contact adhesive like evo-stik worked very well when I ran out of the copydex but beware the risk of fire if doing large areas; since it has a petroleum based solvent.

 

[vyv_cox]

Thixofix is excellent for both vinyl and carpet attachment to GRP. If going with Evode adhesive, select the one that allows repositioning - not only does it make the job easier but it seems to last longer as well. I have carpeted a number of camper vans and a couple of boats using Thixofix and all have gone well, particularly the vans where surface roof temperature can be very high.

The solvent emissions are not to be underestimated. A boat was destroyed by explosion and fire earlier this year when the fumes given off during the very job that you are proposing were ignited by a pilot light. The occupants were lucky to get out alive.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi, anyone have any good adhesive products for attaching carpet directly to GRP? Would like to cover my forepeak sides and ceiling with same.

[/ QUOTE ]Is that a good idea? When dirty it would be difficult to change or clean, and could be a terrible mildew trap and cause smells. Could it be a fire risk? Why not attach the carpet with heavy duty velcro or studs?

 

[vyv_cox]

'Mouldable' carpet as used in camper vans is excellent stuff for lining quarter berths, forecabin walls, etc. It stretches sufficiently that it will take up small three-dimensional shapes and makes a very tidy job. Superb control of condensation, even in a metal van.

It is washable and in my experience is not subject to smells or mildew. I suppose it may be flammable but no more than many other furnishings, probably safer than vinyl linings due to its composition, no chlorides(?)

 

[Cliveshep]

Depends if you wipe your dirty hands on your headlining or on your pants like the rest of us do. My boat is over 40 years old, much of the glued carpet is of the same age, slightly faded but still good. I re-did floor and hull sides 2 years ago, hull sides by painting on Evostik 638 liquid contact and slapping the carpet straight onto the wet adhesive. Like the man says, fumes are a bugger until it dries out so opening all windows/hatches doors is good. One thing I reccomend, using a thinner carpet on surfaces other than where you walk 'cos its a pig to shape the stiff thicker carpets. However, its definitely a quick and neat finish that knocks condensation right out of the equation.

 

[gcostell]

Thanks for all the tips. One other thing, when headlining did you cut the carpet in sections for the various forepeak wall/ceiling sections, or did you attempt to do larger sections at a time? I think the former is easier to do but do you get and (small or otherwise) gaps between sections?

Also, when using the adhesive do you need to use struts to keep the carpet in place while it's drying?

 

[VicS]

I obtained all my materials and adhesives from www.Hawkehouse.co.uk (already mentioned)

They recommend an impact adhesive applied to the grp and a spray adhesive on the back of the lining.

As said the fumes from solvent based adhesives are deadly and highly flammable.

Good ventilation AND an "Organic vapours mask" are vital. HH can supply the mask.