Removing headliner

R

Roy

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
114
Messages
186
Is there any easy way for me to remove the headliner from my project boat, a 1985 Chris Craft Catalina 253? What's on there now looks almost like a shag rug, and it has been glued directly to the fiberglass. Thanks in advance.

Roy
 
Hi Roy, can you get started on an edge of it and pull it down? Many times on a boat that old the glue bond has weakened and you can just pull it down if you can get it started.
 
Roy, as Capt Bill1 said. grab a corner and letter' rip !!
 
I have an 85 commander. People are always asking me why is there carpet on the ceiling. What are you going to replace it with?
 
Capt Bill, I see you have great taste in music.
 
I did grab it at a corner and pull. Trouble is even though the boat is an oldie, the glue is still strong. I could pull some of the old headliner off and then it would rip. Many times it would rip before the glue let go.

Brian, I intend on replacing it with some fairly thin, foam headliner material that I bought at a local marine supply store.
 
The material has dryrotted in places and the glue is still adhering in places. Try an ice scraper. It worked on my Formula 233. Good luck finding one in sunny FLA!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

quote:
Originally posted by Brian

I have an 85 commander. People are always asking me why is there carpet on the ceiling. What are you going to replace it with?

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Just remind them it was built in the 80s and show them this next time they ask.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQDXs75Ulo

Click to expand...


quote:
Originally posted by Woodsong

Capt Bill, I see you have great taste in music.

Click to expand...


No Wood...He was telling him it was built in the 80's replace the carpet with leftover mullets. They are still available in North Florida, South Georgia and most of Tennessee and Alabama.
 
Had an 83 Dancer with the shag ceiling cover. It was an inexpensive way to cover the rough side of the fiberglass (the ceiling and anything else you needed to hide) I tore it all out and glued a heavy burlap looking material in it's place. I used 3 M super heavy duty spray adhesive on both surfaces, let it tack and then stuck it in place. First sunny day the ENTIRE ceiling job fell to the floor. Was a sad day.
Subsequently, I bought a couple of gallons of odorless carpet adhesive and a paint roller (stop me if you've already heard this). I rolled on a really thick layer, let it tack and believe me that material is still in place. Bad news is, if you drip that carpet glue on any upholstery or soft material, it is almost impossible to clean up. Tarp everything first. Just some FYI for when you get the old fur out and start the replacement process.
 
quote:
Originally posted by bobalong

Had an 83 Dancer with the shag ceiling cover. It was an inexpensive way to cover the rough side of the fiberglass (the ceiling and anything else you needed to hide) I tore it all out and glued a heavy burlap looking material in it's place. I used 3 M super heavy duty spray adhesive on both surfaces, let it tack and then stuck it in place. First sunny day the ENTIRE ceiling job fell to the floor. Was a sad day.
.....
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That's funny. Reminds me of when my Volvo headliner decided to let loose one day. One minute I was this regular guy (don't even go there) driving home from work. The next minute it looked like Yassar Arafat had commandeered my car.
 
After pulling and scraping I used a wire wheel on a drill to clean up the rest.
 
Roy, keep us posted on your progress. That's a project I attempted a number of years ago and it wasn't easy. Hopefully you'll have an easier time of it. If so, I'll follow your initiatives because my current boat is having a similar problem with the headliner.

Good luck.

~Norm
 
I just did this job last spring. Absolute misery is the best way to describe the experience. It turned out great though.
Should have noted that my boat is a Larson Cabrio 270.
 
I guess you could get an edge started and the spray Goof or Goo Off up there and see if that loosens the glue any.

Are you still at West Roy?
 
There is a good chance that the carpet was bonded with either a neoprene or nitrile based contact adhesive.

I would suggest that you use a heat gun and a 3 or 4" wide scraper. You'll also need some gloves because it's going to get hot. In fact, if you can get a helper to pull on the carpet while you use the heat gun and scraper it would even be better.

Bob
 
After reading all the posts...I guess I will continue to vacuum my ceiling??!!??
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

quote:
Originally posted by Brian

I have an 85 commander. People are always asking me why is there carpet on the ceiling. What are you going to replace it with?

Click to expand...


Just remind them it was built in the 80s and show them this next time they ask.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQDXs75Ulo

Click to expand...


quote:
Originally posted by Woodsong

Capt Bill, I see you have great taste in music.

Click to expand...


No Wood...He was telling him it was built in the 80's replace the carpet with leftover mullets. They are still available in North Florida, South Georgia and most of Tennessee and Alabama.

Click to expand...


Those Mullets arn't leftovers...They still wear them down there...
 
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