Revamping inside a Cadet Trailer

[Jocelyne Gauvin]

Hello! This is my first message to this forum. We have a 13-foot, 1985 Cadet trailer. Only problem is the inside, red lining, of velvet-type fabric lined with a thin layer of foam. This lining has become more and more unglued, for instance along the door. Also, some of it is now floating a few inches below the ceiling. We aren't equipped to pull it out as some seem to have done. But we have tried different ways to glue it back on. First, different types of tape including double-sided velcro, to no avail. Last big attempt, recommended by a specialty outlet: a somewhat toxic 3M Super Spray Adhesive. This lasted longest so far: 48 hours before getting undone again.

Would someone have found a solution to this problem? Otherwise this little gem of a trailer has been pretty good.

Jocelyne Gauvin
Montreal, QC, Canada

[daveterp]

I'm in the process of re-doing the inside of my Cadet. I tried a few things to get the existing stuff to stick and had no luck. The pop-up ceiling was the worst so I just took it off, cleaned all the old foam and glue off with a wire wheel and glued Reflectix on to the fibleglass with contact cement and vinyl on to the Refelctix, again with contact cement. Its been two months and so far so good so I will use this combination on the rest of the inside.

[Donna D.]

Hi Jocelyne, I just wanted to take the time to welcome you to FiberglassRV. We're glad you're here! I've always liked the Cadet... cool little trailers. Do you have any pictures you'd like to share?

I'll leave the answer to your question about glue to the experts. You'll find lots of kind, helpful people here on FiberglassRV.

[Pam Garlow]

Cadets are my favorite trailer as far as outside styling. They are so unique!! love to see photos

[jmark]

Hi Jocelyne, I have used PL300 Lepage Foamboard Adhesive to glue flexible foam to the fibreglass surface of my Cadet. It's been 7 months and it's still holding. This glue should work. Just follow the directions on the tube.

[Steve Hilby]

It sounds like the material used was like automobile headliner, a foam-backed velour material. What's happening is that the foam is disintegrating. You can try to glue it back up, but the foam will disintegrate a bit more and down she'll come again.

On my old Dodge Omni, I pulled the headliner cardboard out and a local upholsterer glued on new material for a very reasonable price. Probably not practical for your trailer, though.

[Carol H]

I have used the 3M Super Spray Adhesive on the rat fur on my scamp with good results. Found it best to spray the material and wait a min before sticking it to the wall.

[daveterp]

Think about the temperature while using the 3M products. 3M says best results at 65 degrees (18C) or more. Current temperatures on the West Coast are well below that and the Spray 90 is taking a lot longer than 1 minute to set.

[Jocelyne Gauvin]

Hello!
Many thanks to all who sent me comments and suggestions for gluing back the inner lining of our Cadet 13-foot trailer. We're looking forward to trying some of these ideas during spring. Other suggestions will be welcome also.
Jocelyne Gauvin
Montreal, QC, Canada