Vinyl Headliner Adhesive Failure

[DMPortland]

I've never read about this before on the forums...but the headliner over the dinette area is now hanging loose from the ceiling. In the area where there are ceiling lights, the AC unit, and vent, it's still sticking. There are no leaks and it hasn't rained in Portland in almost two months. It hasn't been extremely hot either. Why did this happen and what's the fix?

Appreciate any suggestions from our Forum friends.

[padlin]

It has come up before, you can do a search on the topic.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by DMPortland

I've never read about this before on the forums...but the headliner over the dinette area is now hanging loose from the ceiling. In the area where there are ceiling lights, the AC unit, and vent, it's still sticking. There are no leaks and it hasn't rained in Portland in almost two months. It hasn't been extremely hot either. Why did this happen and what's the fix?

Appreciate any suggestions from our Forum friends.

It's not a common problem with Escapes, but take a look at any other RV forum and you'll find it's a common issue. The adhesive can break down over time, and this breakdown can be accelerated by the trailer being stored without cover. Unfortunately, the fix involves reattaching the headliner with spray adhesive. I'd recommend 3M Super 77 Spray adhesive to reattach it.

I say 'unfortunately' because you need a means of exposing the backside of the portion that is sagging. Sometimes if it's near a seam you can access it by removing the edge trim and peeling it back. You have to be careful not to stretch the vinyl in any way when you do this. Other times, it involves cutting the headliner and respraying it. That of course will leave seams, so it's not ideal.

[thoer]

Here is some discussion
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9...ards-6336.html

[steve dunham]

We used a lot of 3M #77 spray adhesive at work.
If you shake the contents of the can thoroughly before and while applying , and follow the instructions we found it held rather well
If you didn't the adhesive tended to fail , not immediately but eventually .
3M #77 is a great adhesive , the application often is not so great.

[Ian G]

The insulation sagging on Boler's is a common problem. I would NOT recommend Super 77, it is not strong enough, use at least Super 90 or 98 (Super 77 is designed for paper and fabric, not vinyls) . An even better adhesive is LIONGRIP which is available through Richelieu.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Ian G

The insulation sagging on Boler's is a common problem. I would NOT recommend Super 77, it is not strong enough, use at least Super 90 or 98 (Super 77 is designed for paper and fabric, not vinyls) . An even better adhesive is LIONGRIP which is available through Richelieu.

Well there you go. Thanks for the additional info Ian.

[padlin]

Here's 3m's usage chart.

[t-twnbob]

Well, add my trailer to the "sagging headliner club". Really not sure how I'm going to fix this, other than buy a can of 3m adhesive and do a section to see if it holds. IMHO, the headliner needs a mechanical way to be secured.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

Well, add my trailer to the "sagging headliner club". Really not sure how I'm going to fix this, other than buy a can of 3m adhesive and do a section to see if it holds. IMHO, the headliner needs a mechanical way to be secured.

See my post (#16) on the thread posted above for a mechanical attachment method.

[t-twnbob]

Has anyone actually used the t-molding method? I didn't see a write up or pics of the installation.

[thoer]

Post #7 on the thread has the photo Reace sent me from one repair they did with the T molding.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by thoer

Post #7 on the thread has the photo Reace sent me from one repair they did with the T molding.

It looks factory in the photo. I'm assuming the idea behind it is to hide where you cut it by attaching a bracket to the shell along the cut line, regluing the cut headliner right up to the edge of the attached bracket, then attaching the T-molding into the bracket to trap the cut edges and hide the seam?

I'm wondering if Reace would send a kit with the materials needed?

[thoer]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

It looks factory in the photo. I'm assuming the idea behind it is to hide where you cut it by attaching a bracket to the shell along the cut line, regluing the cut headliner right up to the edge of the attached bracket, then attaching the T-molding into the bracket to trap the cut edges and hide the seam?

I'm wondering if Reace would send a kit with the materials needed?

That's exactly how it works Robert. Jim B found this source: https://www.t-molding.com/index.html

[t-twnbob]

Originally Posted by thoer

Post #7 on the thread has the photo Reace sent me from one repair they did with the T molding.

Sorry, for some reason I didn’t see that post. So, have done that repair yet? I am very Leary about cutting my headliner the entire 21 ft. Unfortunately, I have no plans to travel from AZ to the factory anytime soon. The sagging headliner really isn’t causing any issues and most people don’t recognize it until pointed out. I know it is not right and is very frustrating to me.

[Klem]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

Sorry, for some reason I didn’t see that post. So, have done that repair yet? I am very Leary about cutting my headliner the entire 21 ft. Unfortunately, I have no plans to travel from AZ to the factory anytime soon. The sagging headliner really isn’t causing any issues and most people don’t recognize it until pointed out. I know it is not right and is very frustrating to me.

As time passes it slowly gets worse. Heat and gravity. Still watching mine sag more after our trip south.

My local body shop said it should be done correctly the first time, there are various adhesives that can work. Maybe this winter I will check with him again and do it.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

Sorry, for some reason I didn’t see that post. So, have done that repair yet? I am very Leary about cutting my headliner the entire 21 ft. Unfortunately, I have no plans to travel from AZ to the factory anytime soon. The sagging headliner really isn’t causing any issues and most people don’t recognize it until pointed out. I know it is not right and is very frustrating to me.

No, by the time I can gotten up my nerve to cut the liner, we had decided to sell. It had never sagged more that about 3/4" or so and the folks who were buying said they preferred the slight sag rather than the seam so I never did it. It did not seem to get any worse. It was not noticeable unless I pushed up on it. Mary said I was nuts to even consider cutting into it when nobody but me would ever see it. Besides, that the slight air gap gave it extra insulation!

[t-twnbob]

I ordered a can of 3M yellow super trim adhesive and started to fix the headliner today. We removed the trim piece from around the escape hatch and applied the adhesive per the instructions. Lots of ventilation is needed as the chemical smell is very strong. So far, I'm very happy with results and hopefully it will hold better than the factory adhesive. We are working our aft and will need 1 more can to finish the job.

[sunrisetrucker]

Nice legs

[escape artist]

Hi: t-twnbob... Sorry about your predicament. Puts a new spin on getting a "Leg up", and having a "Toe hold" on it too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie