Michael Benno

The vinyl trim on the sides of my console are becoming un bonded from the plastic shell. I am looking for advice on the proper glue to reattach. My first thought was contact cement. Anyone have a better recommendation?




Mike
1988 928 S4

Kevin in Atlanta

I use Gorilla Glue's Instant Glue Gel, spring clamps and 3" flat aluminum stock to press the vinyl against the console frame.

Lasts forever.

I use the same approach along with pop rivets to repair the console attachment points with new eyelets fabricated from the plastic holders used to display tools in my local auto parts store. I use the Jager aluminum ones as a guide. I prefer plastic over aluminum because it is flexible so it provides some give.

Jerry Feather

I use a glue called Goat Tuff that is common in the archery industry. I know the manufacturer is why/how I obtained it originally. It is kind of a derivative of super glue, I think. I dribble it into the delaminations and then use compressed air to blow it in deeply, then clamp the sides under strips of aluminum bar stock overnight.

There is a third component to the equation and that is foam. Between the vinyl and the plastic structure there is a layer of hard foam that makes up the body of the console. You want to be sure that your glue infiltrates the pours of that foam when doing this repair.

I think I posted something about doing this repair in the Flush Center Console Development thread that I recently bumped. I'll try to find the posts and edit this with the number shortly.

Edit: I bumped it again and it is in Post 67 toward the end.

Michael Benno

Thanks for the tips boys, I was thinking super glue style glue would be good. I like the compressed air tip! Thanks.

Jerry, I am going to try and fabricate a not flush version of the double DIN setup. I am going to move the clock and rear ac accessories to the ashtray. I am going to experiment with this space center console.

Jerry Feather

Interesting console project, Michael. I hope it works for you. What do you mean by "space center console?"

atari_st

I used gel super glue five years ago and still attached. As mentioned, use something between the clamps and console or the console will form to the clamp pressure (ask me how I know).

Michael Benno

Spare not space

Jerry Feather

AH! I guess I should have read it like I write. Then I would have understood it.

Tom in Austin

Epoxy? Timely thread as I am about to do my console sides ...

traxtar928

I can tell you that hot glue DOESN'T work...

Michael Benno

I used super glue and it's working quite well. I used a split tooth pick to dab into the glue and spread it in well. Smash the two edges together a few times to distribute the glue and then clamp. Wait a day and you will find a rock solid bond.

decampos

I used this stuff for the vinyl on the center console. Really really strong bond and cured very quickly.

dr bob

That 3M weatherstrip adhesive is like a thicker contact cement, brushes nicely, and most important doesn't risk the yellow glue line squish that regular contact cements do. Disadvantages of contact cement for in-place repairs is that it's hard to impossible to get a proper coating on both surfaces and still allow proper tack time before clamping. People tend to smear it in the gap and clamp right away. No chance to flash the majority solvent before clamping means it's trapped in there, weakening the bond forever.

Recently I did some leather repairs (not at all car related) with Gorilla Glue, the water-activated foaming cyanoacrylate (super glue) adhesive/filler. Seems like it would be a good option for the console trim.

decampos

I personally find that Gorilla Glue always seems to run, even when used sparingly. Hard to avoid the 'yellow glue line squish' that you speak of.

Speedtoys

I remember having to use weatherstrip glue for an intake gasket on a 72 monte carlo once.

Cuz..MacGyver...and it worked as long as I owned it.


It should hold anything until at least 15psi and 195d.