CADET'S CLOTH INTERIOR NEEDS GLUE

[JIM DUNNE]

The cloth with foam insulation in my cadet needs help. This old trailer 1986 has a very nice headliner fabric material with a foam insulation backing that was originally glued to the fiberglass. Over the years the foam has deteriorated to in some places dust and chunks in other places allowing the cloth to sag down. I know I can't do much to replace the foam but it would be very pleasing to the eye if I could just glue the fabric back into place. I have tried the spray on adhesives at Canadian tire for car headliners but that just didn't do it ten minutes and it was falling back down. Does anyone have any suggestions i just don't want to have all this cloth interior torn out and thrown away. The insulation factor doesn't worry me I just use this thing in the warm weather anyways.

[Raya]

Jim,

Sounds like you may have a product like a "marine" liner material - they are often vinyl cloth on an open-celled foam backing. Over time, the open cell foam deteriorates, and then of course the vinyl doesn't stay on the wall.

I've never repaired one of these that has failed without removing it entirely, just so you know, but let me ask...

How are you prepping the trailer wall where the foam has crumbled away? Are you removing the residue of foam bits and glue, cleaning with solvent, perhaps scuffing a bit, re-solvent washing, and then gluing? I would think it would be difficult to spot repair this, but if I were going to try, that's what I'd do.

Which specific adhesive are you using?

3M makes a variety of spray-on adhesives; at least one is made for "heavy" headliners and high heat, and that is the one I would try. Test first to see what it does to the remaining foam that is adjacent to the repair area.

Raya

[Gaston (Gus) Croteau]

The cloth with foam insulation in my cadet needs help. This old trailer 1986 has a very nice headliner fabric material with a foam insulation backing that was originally glued to the fiberglass. Over the years the foam has deteriorated to in some places dust and chunks in other places allowing the cloth to sag down. I know I can't do much to replace the foam but it would be very pleasing to the eye if I could just glue the fabric back into place. I have tried the spray on adhesives at Canadian tire for car headliners but that just didn't do it ten minutes and it was falling back down. Does anyone have any suggestions i just don't want to have all this cloth interior torn out and thrown away. The insulation factor doesn't worry me I just use this thing in the warm weather anyways.

I own a 1986 Captain, it had the same interior, the fabric used is exactly that, (automotive foam backed headlining) I was in the business for 32 years replacing headlining..., There is no way to save that cloth, it was originally laminated to the foam which normally lasts between 8 and 12 years, if you got more out of it , bonus, the fabric is very thin, your best bet is to remove the interior, a fairly simple job... replace all the cloth, doesn't have to be headlining, but it can be purchased at a clearance house for about $6 per meter and it is normally 1.3 meters wide, should take about 18 meters.... glue it on with a good quality sprayon adhesive, I would go to an auto detailer and buy it in bulk then use a syphon spray bottle to blow it on, will hold till the foam deteriorates again.., replace your interior and go camping

[Raya]

Hi Gus,

I had tried not to sound too negative, but I agree in that I have never seen anyone "save" the headliner material (used in boats when I've been dealing with it).

Like Gus says, if it were me I would rip it off, clean off the adhesive residue, and then go from there.

You could just paint the bare fiberglass walls, or re-install open-celled foam, but If it were me, I'd use Ensolite. I know you won't be camping in cold weather, but it also helps to insulate the trailer in warm weather, and, unlike the open-celled variety, it seems to hold up for a loooong time. (I've looked at a lot of 1970's trailers with Ensolite, and unless there was something catastrophic like fire or water/mold from long-term, unattended leaks - or some other specific disaster - the Ensolite has always been in good condition.)

Raya