Ceiling Repair

[Gudmund]

My 2011 Georgetown has a droopy ceiling where the soft liner has come separated from the top of the motor home.

My intention is to fix this by brushing a water-based contact cement onto both surfaces with a sponge brush, then once the cement is dry to the touch, using a paint roller to gradually ease it back into position with the edges under the in-place cross pieces.

Getting the cement deep into the space between the liner and the roof will definitely pose a challenge, but are there any other inherent problems with what I am considering?

Is there a better way to do it?

[JimF]

Originally Posted by Gudmund

My 2011 Georgetown has a droopy ceiling where the soft liner has come separated from the top of the motor home.



My intention is to fix this by brushing a water-based contact cement onto both surfaces with a sponge brush, then once the cement is dry to the touch, using a paint roller to gradually ease it back into position with the edges under the in-place cross pieces.



Getting the cement deep into the space between the liner and the roof will definitely pose a challenge, but are there any other inherent problems with what I am considering?



Is there a better way to do it?

Had the same problem with our 2011 several years ago. I purchased spray headliner adhesive for high temperatures. I pulled mine down a bit further and sprayed both sides and waited about 15 to 30 seconds, per instructions, and pushed it back up using a squeegee. It has stayed for the past 4 years with no problems. Good luck on your project.

[SeaDog]

I would go with the actual headliner adhesive (spray) the contact cement may cause a stain to leach thru. I think your procedure will work great, post to the forum with a pic when you fix it.

[Gudmund]

Thanks guys.

The spray adhesive sounds like it might be an easier product to use. I am going to see if I can find some.

[SeaDog]

found this on quick search https://www.amazon.com/3M-38808-Head...70_&dpSrc=srch

[JimF]

Originally Posted by Gudmund

Thanks guys.

The spray adhesive sounds like it might be an easier product to use. I am going to see if I can find some.

We bought ours at Joann Fabrics. About 20 bucks a can. Here is the link for what we used. https://www.joann.com/headliner-spra...hesive&start=1

[samething]

i suspect that your problem is deeper...
i had the same with mine only to discover that the fiberglass roof was dead after 7 years of exposure
the insurance inspector explained to me that the fiberglass (0.3mm thick) gets <evented> with time and it forms microfissures that leak water slowly into the ceiling
that was my problem: the fix: change the fiberglass with a membrane after removing the wood liner also and redo the whole interior that drank water up to the rear. not a cheap fix but of course, forest river denies any responsibility!
good luck with your peace of junk!!

[JimF]

Originally Posted by samething

i suspect that your problem is deeper...

i had the same with mine only to discover that the fiberglass roof was dead after 7 years of exposure

the insurance inspector explained to me that the fiberglass (0.3mm thick) gets <evented> with time and it forms microfissures that leak water slowly into the ceiling

that was my problem: the fix: change the fiberglass with a membrane after removing the wood liner also and redo the whole interior that drank water up to the rear. not a cheap fix but of course, forest river denies any responsibility!

good luck with your peace of junk!!

Sorry about your problems but this is the first time I have every heard of this situation and there are a whole lot of these unit roofs out there. Sure has me thinking about ours, a 2011 and never out of the elements. Thanks for the heads up.

[mogman]

2011 Georgetowns are prone to this problem. It was a bad batch of glue they used in 2010. My ceiling over the driver area came down in 2012. I stuck it up with contact cement then, and its stayed up. Now other sections are coming down, about one a season. I had no warranty in 2012 because I was second owner.

[wesfisher]

2008 glue was bad as well. Do they have a recall?

[gronotte]

My whole ceiling eventually came down after a number of patches.
Finally just put trim pieces across the whole ceiling from front to back.
Worked like a charm
About 6 or 7 white paintable pieces did it.

[Gudmund]

Good idea gronotte.

I foresee a similar project in my future. Not for a couple of years though.

Gudmund

[jamiebatten]

Originally Posted by gronotte

My whole ceiling eventually came down after a number of patches.

Finally just put trim pieces across the whole ceiling from front to back.

Worked like a charm

About 6 or 7 white paintable pieces did it.

How did you attach the trim pieces?? Also do you know if the trim pieces that are on the ceiling are removable??

[jamiebatten]

Originally Posted by JimF

Had the same problem with our 2011 several years ago. I purchased spray headliner adhesive for high temperatures. I pulled mine down a bit further and sprayed both sides and waited about 15 to 30 seconds, per instructions, and pushed it back up using a squeegee. It has stayed for the past 4 years with no problems. Good luck on your project.

Hey JimF
I have an opportunity to purchase a Georgetown 378ts that is basically in mint condition with 17,000 miles. This is the only problem I could see. I saw no signs of water damage, such as a roof leak. So when you fixed this do you take the trim piece off as well??

[mogman]

adding info to my previous post (#9). i found 2 leaks in the caulking on the roof. One was under the front awning bracket which was devoid of caulk, and the other was around the bathroom skylight. The skylight caulking looked good, but when I pulled on it ,it came away from the skylight. There was absolutely no adhesion. On further inspection I found the skylight cracked at 22 of 24 screw positions and from the imprint on the caulk it had been that way from new.
The sky light was replaced and my winter project is to re glue the ceiling panels. There are 11/4 wide strips available on line so I may try some where the ceiling material has shrunk.

[JimF]

Originally Posted by jamiebatten

Hey JimF
I have an opportunity to purchase a Georgetown 378ts that is basically in mint condition with 17,000 miles. This is the only problem I could see. I saw no signs of water damage, such as a roof leak. So when you fixed this do you take the trim piece off as well??

Sorry, just saw your question. No did not remove any trim PCs just tucked the ceiling cover material under the trim. No problems with that and now it’s been at 5 years.

[nayther]

Had a 2005 Ragen that had a "fuzzy" ceiling and it started "bubbling" dealer would not touch it, took it to factory (luckily close by) and they replaced the entire ceiling. When I sold it last year there were a few "bubbles" again but nothing serious. I am very diligent about roof sealing, even in So Cal we get damages from roof leaks.