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we are replacing the ceiling vinal in our 1984 38ft foretravel motorhome.

August 19, 2015, 08:15:22 pm

We are replacing our ceiling material,floor covering,and making new curtains and re covering our seats.does anyone have an idea where to purchase the material for the ceiling ?WE have the floor covering handled and the chairs and seats,and curtains.We have a 1984 foretravel 38 ft.We had to alot of re doing things on this RV.I had to redo alot of wiring and fuse holders and connectors.We took the front tv and box completely out,it blocked half the windshield.I need alot of parts for this rv to get it back in good operating shape.The mechanics and generator run like new.It has a 3208 cat turbo charged engine with a 4 speed allison trans.If anyone knows where we can find a place to get the ceiling material or parts pleas let me know.We are also looking for a crank down satalite also,the one it came with was broke and binder twined to the support.Thanks,my names Mike.

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Re: we are replacing the ceiling vinal in our 1984 38ft foretravel motorhome.

Reply #1 – August 20, 2015, 08:52:08 am

Hello Mike, and welcome to the Forum!  Sounds like you have a "project" coach.  You will find lots of examples/ideas/assistence here because we have many "Do It Yerself" members.  Try using the Forum "search" function when you have a question - you can often find old threads about the exact subject you are interested in.  (I tried searching for "ceiling material" and got 57 hits)  Also, it will be helpful to those answering your questions, if you would take a moment and fill out all the info on your personal profile page.  For instance, your location is nice to know if you ask about reliable shops or supply sources.  You can also add your coach info to your signature, so every time you post a question or comment we can quickly see what year/model coach you own.

I'm sure you will get a good response to your initial question about ceiling material as soon as everyone wakes up!

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Re: we are replacing the ceiling vinal in our 1984 38ft foretravel motorhome.

Reply #2 – August 20, 2015, 09:16:09 am

Mike, One of our members has an older FT and may bre a good source for you.  His handle is JHOLDER and he is at Tennessee RV. Drop him a PM.
One solution to the drooping vinyl headliner is to get covered buttons from a upholstery shop and install them in a diamond pattern.  Do a search here and you will see several have done that.  If it is not ripped I would try to preserve it.
Gary B

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Re: we are replacing the ceiling vinal in our 1984 38ft foretravel motorhome.

Reply #3 – August 20, 2015, 09:54:17 am

I would use OZITE.  It is the carpet used starting in 1993.  Motor Home-RV | Ozite – Textile Specialists since 1864

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Re: we are replacing the ceiling vinal in our 1984 38ft foretravel motorhome.

Reply #4 – August 20, 2015, 04:53:12 pm

Our ceiling has the vinyl headliner. It was sagging so I removed the center cover piece and then removed the thousand staples under the center strip, pulled the vinyl taut--towards the center--then restapled along the center. Make sure the staples are close to the centerline or they will show when you put the center strip back up. I also put 1/2" thick foam on the luan board (under the vinyl strip). I glued the foam in place. Cut it 1" wider than the luan board and wrap the foam around the board(s). Then staple the vinyl in place, keeping the holes in line!!!!!
When you take the old vinyl off the board(s) you will find that the foam rubber has disintegrated and the old glue gets on everything.
I used 3M spray adhesive to anchor the foam to the luan. Try to get the holes in the old vinyl lined up with the holes in the luan so putting the assembly back up on the ceiling is easier.
Save all snaps, screws, snap covers as you can reuse them.
Purchase another 30 or so from Mike (parts mgr at FOT) and space them out parallel to the centerstrip and the overhead cabinets.
I did our ceiling about four years ago and it still is taut.

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