On Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0600, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

wrote in :

On Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:02:58 -0600, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

Sorry, but I'm posting another on-topic question regarding boats
instead of politics, global warming or general name calling...

My vinyl headliner is sagging in some locations due to the foam
backing deteriorating. Obviously this has been one of the down sides
of storing the boat in the Caribbean during hurricane season.

The headliner was glued on to 1/8" plywood which is held in place by
tension or mouldings. The problem started when the boat was only
about 8 years old, so as a result I'm very leery of replacing the
existing headliner with another foam backed vinyl product, but I do
want to utilize a product that has the same look as the current
product. There were some locations where the headliner was installed
and then cabinets were built in-place under them. Due to the small
spans in these locations, the headliner is in good shape and it would
take a huge effort to remove the cabinets and gain access.

So, my basic question is: What is the purpose of the foam on the
vinyl material? Based upon research that we've done so far (which
isn't extensive), the vinyl comes uncoated and the distributor can
apply foam to it before shipping. Can I apply it directly to the
plywood and if so, what are the downsides of doing that?

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org


Use better foam that doesn't deteriorate. It exists.

My experience with foam is that it all deteriorates, some just faster than
others. I'm not a foam expert. How does one judge the longevity of foam?

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org


The foam/vinyl I was referring to, and I think is the type normally
used in boats, is an auto product. I can buy it at any shop supplying
auto upholstery work. The foam is part of a vinyl/foam sandwich and is
bonded together in some manner. Probably using separate foam and vinyl
layers is going to cause significant problems in installing.

for some reason your 7 - 10 year life sounds small. The headliner in
my boat is certainly older then ten years as I have owned the boat for
that long and have not replaced the vinyl/foam material. In fact I
replaced a small section in the head where a ventilator had leaked and
reused the old material to cover the new ply panel as the old
material was still in good condition.

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct Address is bpaige125atgmaildotcom)