Vinyl headlining
Discussion
I may have a problem. Think of the underneath of a fibreglass structure (ie an irregular mat effect) and then imagine that somebody has stuck vinyl onto it with Evo-Stik. Then wait 20 years for the vinyl to shrink and the excess glue to go brown...
What is the best way to remove the vinyl without leaving a hideously claggy surface? Or if so, what is the best way to remove the clag, to leave the orginal mat?
Petrol, WD40 and hot-air strippers have all been suggested but I'm sceptical...
What is the best way to remove the vinyl without leaving a hideously claggy surface? Or if so, what is the best way to remove the clag, to leave the orginal mat?
Petrol, WD40 and hot-air strippers have all been suggested but I'm sceptical...
Evostick is now produced and marketted by Bostik who have a very good website.
Why not give them a call and see what they advise?
http://www.bostik.co.uk/
What are you up to anyway - giving the Batmobile a makeover?
Why not give them a call and see what they advise?
http://www.bostik.co.uk/
What are you up to anyway - giving the Batmobile a makeover?
Edited by sparkythecat on Wednesday 14th July 10:11
Thanks - this is for the interior of a boat for which the standard treatment is just to paint the fibreglass white. Somebody's added the vinyl, which was probably OK when new, but now it's in poor condition I'd like to return the boat to its original condition. Hence just covering up the mess won't do!
I'd say copious amounts of acetone would be your best chance to soften up/remove the clag, followed by a wide scraper - make sure the area is very well ventilated, wear a mask and keep all sources of ignition well away...
Only thing to be careful of is that acetone may start to soften up the fibreglass - probably be a good idea to put a new layer of glass over the area after you've removed all the residue...
Only thing to be careful of is that acetone may start to soften up the fibreglass - probably be a good idea to put a new layer of glass over the area after you've removed all the residue...
Where abouts on the boat is this? I know what you are talking about re the lumpy glass fibre, and i think you will need the patience of a saint to scrap all that browny yellow goo off!
I dont know what boat it is, but to my knowledge most boats are modded one way or another by the owners over the years, usualy improved although not always the case!
As such would it not be easier to get some leather cloth and replace, perhaps adding a little foam under it to make it look better and 'padded'?
Or you could just spray paint it white over the top of the whole thing? Is it possinle to 'paint' a white gel coat over it?
I dont know what boat it is, but to my knowledge most boats are modded one way or another by the owners over the years, usualy improved although not always the case!
As such would it not be easier to get some leather cloth and replace, perhaps adding a little foam under it to make it look better and 'padded'?
Or you could just spray paint it white over the top of the whole thing? Is it possinle to 'paint' a white gel coat over it?
You're getting the idea!
It's a Freeman, and the original finish was matt white paint on the naked fibreglass. Here are some pix I took which show the issue:
If it was perfect then I could let it go. However it's just too scruffy to leave as is, and if work is required then all things being equal I'd rather spend the effort taking it back to original than making good the bodge... But it's a small, awkward area to work in and I'd have to be careful with solvents.
It's a Freeman, and the original finish was matt white paint on the naked fibreglass. Here are some pix I took which show the issue:
If it was perfect then I could let it go. However it's just too scruffy to leave as is, and if work is required then all things being equal I'd rather spend the effort taking it back to original than making good the bodge... But it's a small, awkward area to work in and I'd have to be careful with solvents.
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 15th July 10:05
Simpo Two said:
You're getting the idea!
It's a Freeman, and the original finish was matt white paint on the naked fibreglass. Here are some pix I took which show the issue:
If it was perfect then I could let it go. However it's just too scruffy to leave as is, and if work is required then all things being equal I'd rather spend the effort taking it back to original than making good the bodge... But it's a small, awkward area to work in and I'd have to be careful with solvents.
Nice boat Freemans, my dad had a Freeman 27 which he completly refitted and only just sold.It's a Freeman, and the original finish was matt white paint on the naked fibreglass. Here are some pix I took which show the issue:
If it was perfect then I could let it go. However it's just too scruffy to leave as is, and if work is required then all things being equal I'd rather spend the effort taking it back to original than making good the bodge... But it's a small, awkward area to work in and I'd have to be careful with solvents.
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 15th July 10:05
He has done the headlining on several boats before by adding new leather cloth panels (cream to go with the brown/cream Freeman theme).
From memory he made panels out of marine ply, then covered in leather cloth with a thin foam under for the padded look. The only down side is you reduce headroom by a little bit, and if your 6ft even half an inch can make a negative difference, but it looks really nice and new and tranforms the look of the boat totaly.
Yes, that's the professional way to do it, so any shrinkage is behind the panel out of sight. However as you say headroom is already on the tight side and I can't see how you'd get the interior curves. Plus there are vents to cut round and frankly it's too much of a job to consider.
NB The brown/cream theme came in with the Freeman 24, the first of the 'modern look' boats. However I'm after a 23 which is the 'classic' style in white, and am going to view a very nice example in a few days that, whilst it has modifications, has had them done well. That may solve the problem!
NB The brown/cream theme came in with the Freeman 24, the first of the 'modern look' boats. However I'm after a 23 which is the 'classic' style in white, and am going to view a very nice example in a few days that, whilst it has modifications, has had them done well. That may solve the problem!
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff