laying down applying boat floor vinyl

sarg88 · 02-03-2009, 08:58 PM

Me buddies fishing boat is getting a new floor and I am helping him glue the vinyl down to the plywood. Using extreme heavy duty 3M spray glue for vinyl. when we apply vinyl with a roller and staple it on the other side, 15 min. later it starts to have bubbles in the middle that werent there before. like 20 or 25 bubbles about the size of a quarter all over the place. any tips would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.

salmonslayer1966 · 02-03-2009, 09:01 PM

are you letting the glue set up a bit before puting the vinyl down?you should let it sit a good 15 to 20 min so its realy realy tacky

jfa686 · 02-03-2009, 09:20 PM

if it's the rattle can type it won't be strong enough in my opinion. ya might look into a carpet glue or adhesive that you spread over the area..a lot of the boat builders use a heated pressure pot style spray gun for applying the glue.

Highmark · 02-04-2009, 01:54 AM

I have been using the 3M stuff for years. It's the same stuff that comes in the can. You must apply it , to both the plywood and the new vinyl and let set up till it real tacky, allmost set. and then use a roller and start in the center and work out. that way you get the air out as you go.
One other thing. the 3M in the can is the only one I would use. it's the best on the market.for the Spray can types. Unless you can get the horse glue that Bentleys uses. that's th best.
it comes in 5 gal cans.And they apply it with a sprayer.

HM

fishkisser · 02-04-2009, 05:34 AM

Sounds like the glue you are using is "gassing off" by contact with another chemical in the binder glue in the plywood ...
I used to pop them with an awl and call it good or put a little seam sealer on the little hole after popping ...

RGB · 02-04-2009, 07:54 AM

I used the adhesive made by the manufacturer of the vinyl I bought and it worked great, but for some of the small spots I did use some of the 3M spray and it worked well too. I was very careful, but still got a few bubbles. I used a pin to make a small hole in the center of the bubble and pressed the vinyl down flat.

AlseaAssassin · 02-04-2009, 11:36 AM

I used a roller on my floor then took a sheet of plywood with dumb bell wieghts pn top and overlayed the vinyl. Worked great!

bird dog bob · 02-05-2009, 05:44 AM

this needs to be put on in a warm shop. it will not set when its cold

AlseaAssassin · 02-05-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bird dog bob

this needs to be put on in a warm shop. it will not set when its cold

Good point. On my first attempt it was too dang cold for the adhesive to set up causing major bubbles. Once I got some heat applied and used the before mentioned roller I was able to get the bubbles out.