Ceiling / Headliner Delamination

[Airstream12557]

I notice that, in a small area over the sink in my MH, the glue has failed on the headliner and it is sagging a fraction of an inch. From my experience with Airstream trailers, I know that this can progress to where whole sections of the headliner will come loose and droop or sag.

What have you used for a "fix"? I noticed, by doing a search on the list, that one person used white thumb tacks and another used wood strips and plastic caped screws. Over time, what has worked the best? I assume all the ceiling surface under the vinyl/foam headliner is thin plywood. Is this correct? What is a good source of the plastic capped screws?

Any additional comments appreciated.

Thanks!

Sam

[masseyfarm]

The first thing you should do Sam is inspect the roof for leakage in that specific area, and all other areas. Skylights, vents, any other items that have penetrated the original roof, and the roof to wall seams.
Once water touches that LAUN ply, that is used throughout the f/g models, it will continue to wick (in all directions) until the water supply is diminished.
Early detection and repair is needed, but constant maintenance of the roof area will prevent most problems.

If you have one small area, installation of a smoke detector, or other addon device, will accomplish the task.

Dave

[Paul Dobbin]

Sam,
I'm to poster of the thumb tack solution. I failed to mention that you should buy the longer white thumb tacks, the 1/4" cheap ones don't go through the ceiling boards far enough.
My longer ones have lasted for years and look like a custom ceiling. On a previous coach I took down all the panesl, scrapped all the delaminated foam off and clued new vinyl headliner material to them. Worked good but tookall my spare time for months. The Tacks are quick & easy and if more drooping occurs, you just add tacks in the new droop area.

[Airstream12557]

Dave and Paul; thanks for the replies!

I don't feel that the root cause of the delamination is water intrusion. I keep an eye on all roof penetrations and add/replace caulk as needed. But water has a way of finding the smallest point of entry.

I think our delamination is caused by adhesive failure between the vinyl/foam headliner and the wood ceiling. This seems to be common in Airstream travel trailers.

Paul, what do you think was the cause of your delamination? And thanks for the additional information on your "fix".

Sam

[Paul Dobbin]

Simple: The foam backing on the headliner got old and dry and sort of came apart and let go of the glue that held it to the ceiling board. The glue sticks to the board and the weight of the headliner separates the foam. Same reason they fall down in cars.
Take it apart and you'll see that.
Since I've done it the hard way and with tacks, I'll do the tacks again when needed. (Actually it looks better than the original flat panels.)
Paul

[Airstream12557]

Thanks, Paul. Mine seems to have separated at the glue joint, since I can feel som tackiness when I push up on the small area that has came loose.

Sam

[Paul Dobbin]

Glue joint or foam delamination, your headliner droops. The long tacks are the treatment no matter the cause. (Even if your separated foam has static cling)
Happy Holidays, I hope you get tacks in your stocking.
Paul

[Silver Hawk]

We used to use contact cement in a syringe - squirt some under and squish it around, let it dry and than push it down. Only leaves a small needle hole you can't see unless you look for it. Get syringe at pet store.

[Airstream12557]

Thanks, Silver Hawk!

Sam

[Cable]

Take a look at this post, http://www.airforums.com/forums/f39/...ing-40416.html. We are very happy with the outcome.

[Airstream12557]

Good thread. I had done a search earlier, but missed this one.

Thanks, Sam

[ctatoday]

Originally Posted by Airstream12557

I notice that, in a small area over the sink in my MH, the glue has failed on the headliner and it is sagging a fraction of an inch. From my experience with Airstream trailers, I know that this can progress to where whole sections of the headliner will come loose and droop or sag.

What have you used for a "fix"? I noticed, by doing a search on the list, that one person used white thumb tacks and another used wood strips and plastic caped screws. Over time, what has worked the best? I assume all the ceiling surface under the vinyl/foam headliner is thin plywood. Is this correct? What is a good source of the plastic capped screws?

Any additional comments appreciated.

Thanks!

Sam

I had this problem in a few places on my 1994 30'. I found that a quick & simple fix can de done with a 3.5 " wide plastic slat from a vertical blind slipped into the "H" channel, concave side up against the ceiling, with no adhesives or fasteners. The slats are available from any custom blind supplier and can be had in a color to match the ceiling vinyl in any length you need. The slats are easily cut with scissors.

[Airstream12557]

CTATODAY, that is a unique solution. I like it!!

Thanks

Sam

[ctatoday]

I got my slats from the trash bin, they were from a patio door blind and are long enough to go across the width of the coach. In one location I cut the slat to go from the rear AC to the side wall. I also used some short pieces inside the overhead bins.

Regards,
Cicero

[92landyacht]

How about some pics?

[ctatoday]

Here are some pictures and a sketch. Inside the cabinet the slats were cut in half to 1.75 wide.

Cicero

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by ctatoday

I got my slats from the trash bin, they were from a patio door blind and are long enough to go across the width of the coach. In one location I cut the slat to go from the rear AC to the side wall. I also used some short pieces inside the overhead bins.

Regards,
Cicero

Hi, that's a good idea for fixing the headliner; Hope I never have to do it though.