Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Looking for advice on gluing vinyl onto under dash trims.

I've tried evo-stick, even a special adhesive recommended by my local trim shop, but the adhesive just comes unstuck after a few weeks or when it gets hot:



The under dash trims appear to be a PVC material, anyone have a recommendation for an adhesive?

I was wondering if PVC solvent would work (used for plumbing fittings), or these glues:

H-66 https://www.amazon.com/RH-Adhesives-Industrial-Strength-Cement/dp/B00BUB5JOA/ref=asc_df_B00BUB5JOA/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=192257135964&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13433924727250071469&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9041423&hvtargid=pla-313565211053&psc=1
or Loctite Vinyl Fabric Adhesive https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Plastic-Adhesive-1-Ounce-1360694/dp/B001F7E9VI/ref=asc_df_B001F7E9VI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198142582501&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5920450826007414101&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9041423&hvtargid=pla-352793682230&psc=1

Any advice appreciated.

Don’t do it!

elanfan1 wrote:Don’t do it!

Thanks for that Steve (aka Mr Helpful!)

I have no choice... my trims have been repaired & look like hell & replacements don't seem to be available (for a sensible price)...

Not certain but there may have been at least one in the batch of parts bought by bitsilly

This stuff gets good reviews https://www.ebay.com/itm/281692133888?e ... SwZf9gPtVj

Not cheap, but looks like it will do the job.

Phil,

I have just done a google search in the UK. Kelvedon seem to have the left hand trim at £60. Perhaps of more interest is the comment that the panels are made of ABS. Some adhesive manufacturers supply a chart that helps you choose an adhesive compatible with the substrates to be bonded. I have just checked my chart which is terribly out of date, and can’t find ABS! However, Permabond offer several adhesives one of which is polyurethane which might be user friendly for our applications.

As for Steve’s comment, a long time ago a friend who is an electrical engineer and owns MG and Austin Healey advised me against rewiring my Lotus to my own design. He said “don’t do it!”. Several years and many mistakes later, I am still wiring!

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

My underdash trims aren't the original ABS but a fibreglass repro which I made and they are covered in vinyl. It's stretched fairly tight and so far, so good. But the surface is probably easier to bond to than ABS - I rubbed it down with 80gr paper before bonding.

I used a high temperature spray contact adhesive, the stuff you get for sticking headlining into cars and supposedly capable of taking more heat than normal spray adhesives This sort of thing;

https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1554-high-heat-resistant-aerosol-adhesive

I can't recall if I bought this exact adhesive but the aerosol and name (Trim-FIx) looks very much like the ones I had.

Brian

DAP HHR landeau top and trim adhesive is highly regarded among the auto upholstery crowd. Not sure on the compatability with ABS.

I've used it but don't have enough hours/heat cycles to verify its effectiveness.

It's supposed to be pro use only but occasionally shows up on Ebay. I think it's only available in 1 gallon or up containers though.

Instead of using vinyl cloth how about trying vinyl wrap? The stuff that's used on car, truck, bus exteriors. I've seen it applied to buses that have GRP and ABS panels and the stuff sticks like sh*t to a blanket.

This shows what can be achieved https://youtu.be/gVz3c8AGcIw

Sue had new copies for both sides.

Thanks for all the suggestions on glues to use. I have used 3M trim adhesive & DAP HHR landeau top adhesive already with no success, now with the info that the trims are probably ABS I'll try an ABS cement like this - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oatey-8-fl-oz-ABS-Cement/4750407

If that fails... I'll buy replacements from Sue or Kelsport.

I can rebuild a cylinder head... replace a battery tray ... rewire the whole car... but I can't stick a bit of vinyl on a trim panel....

Phil,

That sort of thing is a real bugger. I usually get in a horrible mess with sticky stuff even applying a gasket dressing brings me out in a old sweat. As soon as I pick up a mastic gun I start to shake.

Richard Hawkins

Phil,
Consider oil based contact cement such as pict. below. It is the standard for cloth backed or bare veneer to wood substrate and if it can bear up on Elan dashboards (I have used a few times successfully), it should work in your application. May need to test adherence on your substrate. I tried an automotive spray contact cement without success on vinyl (may have been water based or insufficient density of application as a spray).



Jack

I know the Rally lads and ladies use

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/to ... gIerfD_BwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CKsHDOhAZQ

Suppose the thing for me, is it has a nice feel, doesnt wash-up at all, falls off occasionally, isn’t suede or alcantara or another glueable substance.
Probably more for crash pads, but I would consider it.

Hi There

I've used Multidex from The Glue People (www.thegluepeople.co.uk).

It's a latex based adhesive and isn't affected by heat or solvents (petrol) and being water based and also will not attack plastics or have you get high on the fumes. It's very strong if used correctly but it is quite slow drying and needs to be left a good while (ideally over night) before it reaches full strength.

Regards
Andy