Page 1 of 1

What adhesive to use?

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:40 pm
by fibersport
I'm restoring a 1984 Century with a fiberglass deck that has an eggshell color with a molded in texture that simulates leather. After many years of poor docking practices, there are many cracks in it. I really don't think that repairing it is possible so that leaves painting, re-gel coat or cover it. I'm planning on the covering option with a marine vinyl (Armada by Endurasoft or Enduratex). Any suggestions for an adhsive to use for this? There will be some seams as I doubt it can stretch enough to cover the shape. I've heard that Weldwood Landau top and trim is the one to use - any comments?

Re: What adhesive to use?

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2025 6:18 pm
by Frederic
Do you have pictures?
Is it still solid enough?
You can always add a layer of thinned epoxy to fill the cracks, the pattern is a different story but can be done, if it needs more structure, I would fill the cracks, some
Prep work required and add a layer of glass over it to make it strong, then you can either put gel coat (a real pain in the a##) or have a center seam and recover it
My .02cents

Re: What adhesive to use?

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:20 pm
by LLeeT
In answer to your question, Weldwood Landau is your best bet. I've made some pretty good rounded corners with a bit of heat from a heat gun. Just be careful. Maybe do a test or 2 first.

Re: What adhesive to use?

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:04 am
by fibersport
Here's a picture of a similar boat, it's not a very good picture but what I'm going to cover is the white area of the deck. As you can see, it has quite a few angles to it. The white continues as a harrow band all the way to the bow. My plan is a french seam at the bow with a top stitched seam in select areas at the transom. The radii are large so I'll have to pay attention where the seams will lie. Image Thanks LleeT -

Re: What adhesive to use?

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2025 7:23 pm
by Frederic
So you want to cover a portion that was not covered before?
That would be dangerous, when boarding and getting off the boat, if the fabric is slippery or wet, it might cause someone to fall overboard

Re: What adhesive to use?

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:52 pm
by fibersport
Yes. Actually in my boating experience, wet fiberglass can be more slippery than wet vinyl. My two previous boats had varnished mahogany, very slippery when wet and nobody ever fell overboard. One of my dad's boats had vinyl, again nobody fell overboard.