Bathroom vinyl finish peeling off...

[photo-travel]

I searched through the threads, but I did not find any info that may help me with this issue...

This is a 2005 Safari Classic.
In the bathroom, the vinyl (see photo) has started to peel off.
I would like to tap into the more experienced Airstreamers for some advise.

- Looking at the picture, it is advisable to attempt to re-glue the vinyl back to its original state? And if so, what glue will be the best for this?



- I started to thinker with the idea to rip the vinyl off and put new one (it looks like it has some shrinkage (?) and even if I re-glue...it would not reach the original edges. But...

- Where can I find replacement material ? (vinyl). I searched in Home Depot and Lowes, and all they have is vinyl floor tiles, no bulk material like the one used in this bathroom.

Any help, greatly appreciated.

[Bowmans]

I am not familiar with your model AS but looking at the photos, the vinyl could be one of the following things:

Option 1 - Is it thick enough to be linoleum like you would use on the floor? We have linoleum floors in the downstairs of our house that have a fauz woodgrain with texture but it is thick like linoleum. I am not sure of a good glue you could use to attach it but someone here (or if you find a knowledgable person at a flooring store) may have some a good idea.

Option 2 - Sign stores have vinyl on rolls that is basically and thick sticker used to apply graphics to signs, vehicles, etc. If what you have peeling there is like the covering on our AS paneling that was originally in our AS, it was this type of vinyl. Sign stores usually carry solid colors and may have or be able to order faux woodgrain. You may have to take a piece and shop the sign stores to find exactly that color/type of wood it is emulating.

Without some sort of trim at the edge that holds it in place, either of the options above would probably peel again over time. Especially in the bathroom with the moisture from hot showers, etc. and the location right under the toilet where someone may step on the edge and start the peeling.

[Ganglin]

You could call the factory to see if they will sell you a replacement sheet - or try this search...

wood grain sheet vinyl - Google Search

[photo-travel]

@Bowmans:
You know, I have been looking/searching for "vinyl"...just entered some local searches for "linoleum" , and it looks like there are a couple of good candidates, thanks!

@Ganglin:
If the local option fails...some of the hits form your suggested search look promising:

Thx!

[2airishuman]

hi photo

the original VINYL flooring is an armstrong product.

armstrong has a very detailed website on this stuff.

the specific color/style is listed IN the parts manual (online) at the a/s corporate site.

but given the location (wall/upper level) i see no reason to MATCH the floor.

PEELING like this is extremely common.

i've seen brand new units delivered to dealers looking like that.

armstrong gives good recommendations for adhesives.

IF attempting to REglue, i'd use a 3M spray adhesive available from auto supply stores.

it will be a challenge to roll/press the curled stuff, and a WIDER aluminum trim piece might be wise too...

cheers
2air'

[Ganglin]

Whatever you put it back on with it would be good to use this on the surface first. It seals the wood, etc. so that your adhesive doesn't release from the vinyl and soak into the porous surface. That's what primarily causes the problems with the peeling. Same concept with vinyl floor tiles and it's aggravated by the wide variation in temps/humidity in a trailer.....

Quart Adhesive Primer by Homax Group Inc - More Adhesives and tile grouting at doitbest.com

[photo-travel]

Cool...more good tips.
I think I will approach in a progressive manner:

- I will try to re-glue first. If result is sub-par...
- I will rip the piece off, clean and prime the surface, and put something new.

Thanks for all the info.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, this is a crappy design to begin with. Two sided tapes and glues will not hold it down once it starts to lift. Long before mine got that bad, actually, mine was only lifting on the elevated toilet floor, one dealer tried to fix it. The fix was a failure. So I bought some aluminum trim and 1/4 round oak to make a final repair and it has held up for several years now.

[photo-travel]

Wow! that looks...even better than the factory design.
Now my head is spinning with ideas in this direction

[photo-travel]

OK, ladies and gents...thanks to all the info I got in this thread, I was able to fix my AS bathroom peel-off issue.

It only took 30 trips to Home Depot and 20 to Lowes
to get the right parts and glues. I could not find a decent "nose guard / step guard" for this job. The ones in stock were huge, 1.5" x 1.5"

I ended up using stock aluminum angle for the nose, and flat bar all around.

I ripped-off the whole vertical piece of linoleum. Cleaned the back of it and the bathroom surface. I used RinoTape (flooring tape) on all the edges and contact flooring glue for the rest of the areas.
On the edges where the linoleum was already fried, hard and bent up, I used shallow tacks with broad heads to secure it back into place. Finished all seams and gaps with clear silicone.

Hope this helps the next AS bathroom victim

[Wingeezer]

Great job - congrats! I also have a 2005 Classic, but must be a different model as the toilet in mine is not elevated and sits directly on the floor.

I'm amazed at the original design - and its failure. Yet another example whereby one would have justification on expecting more from Airstream considering the cost! You really would have thought they would have learned better over all those years of production.

We are on our first Airstream, and I am still happy with the purchase, but when i see some of the info posted on this forum, I am disillusioned to the point that had I read this first, I'm not at all sure I would have bought!

Brian.

[Bowmans]

Photo-travel,
The fix looks great and looks like you fixed it to last!

Wingeezer,
Don't let the site fool you. Most people only post the issues they have to get feedback/ideas on a solution so that is what you see. I grew up with square campers and if there was a site like this for any of their brands, it would be much worse. They would only have 5 to maybe 10 year old campers still on the road (as opposed to the 1950's and out on this site) and those would be having rotted wall issues, let alone the floor. I agree there was some production issues but all in all, I am very happy we went with AS. After our renovation on our 1979, I am pretty sure it will last another 30 years with little maintenance.

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, this is a crappy design to begin with. Two sided tapes and glues will not hold it down once it starts to lift. Long before mine got that bad, actually, mine was only lifting on the elevated toilet floor, one dealer tried to fix it. The fix was a failure. So I bought some aluminum trim and 1/4 round oak to make a final repair and it has held up for several years now.

Originally Posted by photo-travel

OK, ladies and gents...thanks to all the info I got in this thread, I was able to fix my AS bathroom peel-off issue.

It only took 30 trips to Home Depot and 20 to Lowes
to get the right parts and glues. I could not find a decent "nose guard / step guard" for this job. The ones in stock were huge, 1.5" x 1.5"

I ended up using stock aluminum angle for the nose, and flat bar all around.

I ripped-off the whole vertical piece of linoleum. Cleaned the back of it and the bathroom surface. I used RinoTape (flooring tape) on all the edges and contact flooring glue for the rest of the areas.
On the edges where the linoleum was already fried, hard and bent up, I used shallow tacks with broad heads to secure it back into place. Finished all seams and gaps with clear silicone.

Hope this helps the next AS bathroom victim

Those modification/repairs look good. Nice work guys.

Kevin

[photo-travel]

I think that in general, the Airstream core design concept is very solid, meaning:

An aerodynamic durable shape implemented in light weight aluminum structure and skin.

This is why, I think, this concept has remained virtually unchanged since the first units in production.

However, I think that the interiors have never, or rarely have matched the level of simple, utilitarian, effective design of the exterior. There is a cottage industry out there just dedicated to re-design the interiors of Airstreams, vintage and new.

It seems that in the least 2, 3 years with the new International trim, AS picked up ideas form the aftermarket designs.

The silver lining in doing these little projects? Engage other AS owners, design stuff for yourself and experience the pride of a job well done.