Carpet Headliner

While the NaugaSoft works well on a very smooth surface, it does not do well on a surface that is uneven (all the flaws in the surface show through). Carpet headliner is excellent in this regard. We used this for the v-berth area of the boat. Even though the carpet is a good deal heavier than the NaugaSoft, the 3M General Trim Adhesive was easily up to the task of holding it overhead. We did not want to remove the trim boards on the forward bulkhead or against the head (they were in good shape). So we just used a utility knife to cut the carpet along the edges of those boards. Indeed, the carpet is thick enough that I am not sure the trim boards would have covered them cleanly in any case.

The cut edges were a bit fuzzy (see Photo 1). We solved this issue by running a thin bead of 3M Fast Tack Adhesive all along them. This had the effect of sealing the carpet and preventing any future raveling (we hope).

The carpet was not wide enough to span from side to side so we installed it with a seam down the center (see Photo 2). We used the factory trimmed edges down the center and they matched up very well. The carpet stretches nicely (it is advertised to be up to covering a four inch high and wide bulge -- notice that the carpet closely molds the shape of the backing plate) so mating the two edges was not difficult at all. Two ceiling boards will be reinstalled to cover the outer rough cut edge.




The final photos show the completed work with the ceiling boards installed. Note that the center seam is nearly invisible. The backing plates for the staunchions are

evident (in the final photo). We may eventually replace them with thinner plates. But then new ceiling boards would be required
to eliminate the cutouts.

NaugaSoft as Headliner

During the past few days we have put headliner in the Islander. The cabin sides in the way of the portlights was ribbon grain phillipine mahogany. The portlights had leaked badly and a two foot square section of the plywood was rotten. We removed the portlights and chipped the rotten wood out and cut a new section of plywood to replace it. That was secured in place with 3M 5200 Polysulfide Adhesive. Then 3M Marine Filler was used to smooth the transition (and the cracks) from the old surface to the new one. Finally the surface was wiped (using a wet rag and a dry one) with 3M General Adhesive Remover. We sprayed two coats of 3M General Trim Adhesive on the plywood surface and two coats on the back of a piece of NaugaSoft white vinyl. This was smoothed in place. It was possible to pull it away and reattach it several times. Bubbles were easily removed because the NaugaSoft is quite stretchy. Working time is not a problem -- just spray again with the adhesive and continue after a short time to allow it to dry out to a tacky state.As long as the surface is smooth and clean the NaugaSoft makes an excellent headliner! It has a smooth, soft feel and look. And it is easy to clean. The portlights are back in place. It really looks good!

The NaugaSoft Smoothed in Place

The Plywood "Mostly" Removed from
the Companionway  ulkhead

The same procedure was used to replace the plywood alongside the companionway. In this case, we removed the plywood completely from the fiberglass wall. A new sheet of plywood was cut to fit and glued in place with 3M 5200 sealant/adhesive. This stuff takes nearly a week to set up so be prepared to leave the bracing system in place for all of that period.

Braces Hold the Plywood in Place Until Adhesive Sets

NaugaSoft Applied Over Plywood