S2 Interior Re-Trim Details

[drdoom]

Hello all,

Spoke today with the upholsterer with whom I expect to be working in order to renew my S2 interior. I am told that the headliner must be affixed with a suitable contact cement in order to ensure it will withstand the heat of sunny days. I hope those members who have experience can advise at what point does one spray this cement on? Is it before or after the body has been finished?

 

 

 

[Rolls]

I’d recommend after. 3M make a good product. Also ensure you allow it to tac off before joining. Makes a world of difference. 

[Lotusfab]

On 16/04/2019 at 07:05, drdoom said:

Hello all,

Spoke today with the upholsterer with whom I expect to be working in order to renew my S2 interior. I am told that the headliner must be affixed with a suitable contact cement in order to ensure it will withstand the heat of sunny days. I hope those members who have experience can advise at what point does one spray this cement on? Is it before or after the body has been finished?

 

 

 

Hi Steve, headliner is best stitched to a flexible backing. Then the hole think glued with contact adhesive.

[drdoom]

Thanks, gents, that's all good advice. I suppose one must simply mask off the body when it's time to spray the cement onto the cockpit roof. No simple matter, this business of a complete Esprit restoration!

[Nelly]

You can get high temperature contact adhesive, so make sure you use that.

If you get the tins you can smear it into place rather than spraying.  As mentioned above, the material would usually have some kind of foam backing and the S2 headlining was stitched so it was "panelled" although mine wasn't done like that and still looks nice.

[drdoom]

Right Neil, the upholsterer advised that aerosol can adhesive would fail in the heat of sunny days and showed me the product that would hold up, saying it was to be applied with a LP gun using a coarse  spray tip. I will be tempted to have the stuff rolled onto the roof, leaving the fabricated headliner to be sprayed in turn.

Any method chosen will demand careful masking and I presume the best point for installation would be after body paint but prior to interior assembly. Correct?

Cheers 

[Steve V8]

Any automotive trim high temperature contact adhesive will be sufficient, I'd recommend a brush on rather than a aerosol, it contains far less solvent and is more controllable in use.

Apply with a brush then smooth with a roller or notched plastic spreader.

[Nelly]

I agree with Steve that the aerosol is not the best method.  If you get a tin you can apply as above, I used a spatula on the recommendation of my trimmer.

Just make sure its high temperature, as mentioned above.

Yes you want to get the body painted first and then do before putting the rest of the interior in.  I would suggest you get someone to help you position it as its going to be quite large and awkward!

[drdoom]

Thanks again, lads, just days to parole from 8 months' hard labour on a home reno gone wrong, and then once again back at the Esprit in earnest. Have swatches of fake suede making their way here soon, and a couple of snips of carpet I hope!

Cheers