Does anybody out there have experience dealing with headliners(the foam backed vinyl type) that have become disconnected because the foam rots. I would appreciate any and all advice on the subject as that's all that's wrong with my otherwise beautiful First 38. Thanks
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Wayne
Vinyl Headliner Replacement
Jim, I replaced most all of the overhead and some on the hull foam backed headliner in my previous vessel several years ago. It was a heck of a job as I was not experienced at it. A professional could make short work of it for $$$. The boat I had at the time was a 1982 Seidelmann 29.5 and the backing was rotted and the vinyl was sagging. In some areas I had to replace the hardwood plywood backing behind the liner as it was damaged from leaks I had around one of the hatches and a leak through the mast step area. I repaired the leaks around the mast step and hatch. I bought some new white vinyl fabric with foam backing from an upholstery shop. It had a tag on it that said Sea-Ray. I think it was original replacement for a power boat. After replacing the plywood backing, I used the old removed pieces for pattterns to cut out new sections and glued it up with contact cement. The seams were covered with teak wood strips. The original was beige and the new white vinyl made the interior much brighter. I am not familiar with the construction of your Beneteau as maybe the vinyl is attached directly to the fiberglass deck. In one area over the aft cabin, I replaced the ceiling with 3/16 in. hardwood paneling that had what looked like Birch wood strips. I just finished it with clear Sikkens Cetol and left the wood finish showing without putting vinyl over it. Anyway I'm sure others have done this type of project and might have more to add.
Jim, I replaced most all of the overhead and some on the hull foam backed headliner in my previous vessel several years ago. It was a heck of a job as I was not experienced at it. A professional could make short work of it for $$$. The boat I had at the time was a 1982 Seidelmann 29.5 and the backing was rotted and the vinyl was sagging. In some areas I had to replace the hardwood plywood backing behind the liner as it was damaged from leaks I had around one of the hatches and a leak through the mast step area. I repaired the leaks around the mast step and hatch. I bought some new white vinyl fabric with foam backing from an upholstery shop. It had a tag on it that said Sea-Ray. I think it was original replacement for a power boat. After replacing the plywood backing, I used the old removed pieces for pattterns to cut out new sections and glued it up with contact cement. The seams were covered with teak wood strips. The original was beige and the new white vinyl made the interior much brighter. I am not familiar with the construction of your Beneteau as maybe the vinyl is attached directly to the fiberglass deck. In one area over the aft cabin, I replaced the ceiling with 3/16 in. hardwood paneling that had what looked like Birch wood strips. I just finished it with clear Sikkens Cetol and left the wood finish showing without putting vinyl over it. Anyway I'm sure others have done this type of project and might have more to add.
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Dave
Headliner Repairs
Jim, If you have plywood backing for the vinyl and it is rotted, ask why is it rotted first. You likely have a leak and probable core rot. So fix all that first. Using the original plywood make a new board the same shape. Next waterproof it with west epoxy, then if you have a leak in the future it will not be absorbed into the wood and you will find it sooner and repair it before major damage. Using the old vinyl as a pattern cut out a new sheet the exact same size and shape, the material stretches a bit so stretch it tight over the waterproofed plywood and staple it in place with a staple gun. I found fabric at Osgood's in Springfield, Ma. they are a fabric wholesaler with lots of remnants and odd materials, they even have sunbrella but I think they only sell to walk ins and don't deliver. I'm sure in your neck of the woods (Long Island) you can find several of these kinds of stores, if you give up go to sailrite.com they sell most fabrics. Once all stapled use the old plywood to drill the screw holes, Clamp the two pieces together to prevent them moving while drilling the holes. dave
Jim, If you have plywood backing for the vinyl and it is rotted, ask why is it rotted first. You likely have a leak and probable core rot. So fix all that first. Using the original plywood make a new board the same shape. Next waterproof it with west epoxy, then if you have a leak in the future it will not be absorbed into the wood and you will find it sooner and repair it before major damage. Using the old vinyl as a pattern cut out a new sheet the exact same size and shape, the material stretches a bit so stretch it tight over the waterproofed plywood and staple it in place with a staple gun. I found fabric at Osgood's in Springfield, Ma. they are a fabric wholesaler with lots of remnants and odd materials, they even have sunbrella but I think they only sell to walk ins and don't deliver. I'm sure in your neck of the woods (Long Island) you can find several of these kinds of stores, if you give up go to sailrite.com they sell most fabrics. Once all stapled use the old plywood to drill the screw holes, Clamp the two pieces together to prevent them moving while drilling the holes. dave
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Tom Ehmke
If you want to repair what you have...
there are all kinds of spray adhesives that can be applied to the headliner backing and surface from which it is separated which will rebond it. If the liner isn't too badly damaged, and the foam is stable, that may be all you need to do. Peel it away and apply the adhesive. Wait and see what happens. I guess I would try that first... because I'm cheap 8^) Just another idea. Tom
there are all kinds of spray adhesives that can be applied to the headliner backing and surface from which it is separated which will rebond it. If the liner isn't too badly damaged, and the foam is stable, that may be all you need to do. Peel it away and apply the adhesive. Wait and see what happens. I guess I would try that first... because I'm cheap 8^) Just another idea. Tom
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Cal Stow
Same Headliner Problem
I am having the exact same dilemma with the headliners in my '89 35s5 First. My wife and I have spent the last few days removing the headliners and scraping off the disintegrated foam backing with a plastic putty knife. The headliners themselves are in pretty good shape albeit dirty and with a few rust stains. We are cleaning them by soaking them in warm water and oxyclean for a while and then laundering them in the washer. We have laid them out to dry and they are coming out remarkably clean. However, we are in a quandry as to what type of backing material to use when we reinstall them. We'd rather not use the dreaded foam again but know we need something to insulate the headliners and make for a more even surface. We saw a spray adhesive advertised on the web called "Stick" that seemed to be good for both fabric and fiberglas. Does anyone have any suggestions for the backing material or adhesive? We can't be the only Beneteau owners that have had to address this problem! We also need to replace the Beneteau Logo decals on our boat. Does anyone know where to get them?
I am having the exact same dilemma with the headliners in my '89 35s5 First. My wife and I have spent the last few days removing the headliners and scraping off the disintegrated foam backing with a plastic putty knife. The headliners themselves are in pretty good shape albeit dirty and with a few rust stains. We are cleaning them by soaking them in warm water and oxyclean for a while and then laundering them in the washer. We have laid them out to dry and they are coming out remarkably clean. However, we are in a quandry as to what type of backing material to use when we reinstall them. We'd rather not use the dreaded foam again but know we need something to insulate the headliners and make for a more even surface. We saw a spray adhesive advertised on the web called "Stick" that seemed to be good for both fabric and fiberglas. Does anyone have any suggestions for the backing material or adhesive? We can't be the only Beneteau owners that have had to address this problem! We also need to replace the Beneteau Logo decals on our boat. Does anyone know where to get them?
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Tim
Me too, and here's the solution...
I have a 1983 First 32 that has the same problem, mostly in the aft quarter berth. Once the foam backing has deteriorated, forget trying to re-glue it back up. The vinyl will adhere closely to the fiberglass liner and you get a wavy appearance (I did this in the galley area and head, and will have to re-do eventually). The solution is to buy new foam-backed material and use the old pieces as patterns to recut new ones. This is what I'm going to do for my quarterberth. The material can be bought at www.sailrite.com, along with the appropriate adhesive. The only part I will have to have done is to have a canvas shop sew the "finished" edges. Its a big job, but not something you can't do with a little determination and elbow grease! FYI, I figured 8 yards of 54" wide material (the only width, I think), at like $13/yard. So for $104 plus glue, some expense at the canvas shop, and some elbow grease, it'll be like new! Good luck! Tim
I have a 1983 First 32 that has the same problem, mostly in the aft quarter berth. Once the foam backing has deteriorated, forget trying to re-glue it back up. The vinyl will adhere closely to the fiberglass liner and you get a wavy appearance (I did this in the galley area and head, and will have to re-do eventually). The solution is to buy new foam-backed material and use the old pieces as patterns to recut new ones. This is what I'm going to do for my quarterberth. The material can be bought at www.sailrite.com, along with the appropriate adhesive. The only part I will have to have done is to have a canvas shop sew the "finished" edges. Its a big job, but not something you can't do with a little determination and elbow grease! FYI, I figured 8 yards of 54" wide material (the only width, I think), at like $13/yard. So for $104 plus glue, some expense at the canvas shop, and some elbow grease, it'll be like new! Good luck! Tim
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