Helm Trim Piece

[BobFino]

On my helm there is a trim piece that is glued in place (see pictures). There are no mechanical fasteners holding it in place. When the temperature heats up from the sun it pulls away about 2 inches or more. I have tried gluing it back in place with different adhesives and it holds for a while then eventually let's go again. It only happens on a 12 to 18" section, not the whole wrap around piece. Just thought maybe somebody else has had the same issue and found a solution. These pictures were taken in cooler weather.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The backerboard material is expanding in the heat and causing it to buckle between the mounting bolts.

Lay masking tape as tight to the piece as possible (top and bottom) on the gelcoat. Slip some masking tape a little bit into the gap and curl it around the piece. Put some 3M5200 in a ziploc baggie and cut the corner off (think: cake decorators bag). This will allow you to "get down in there". You don't need a lot. Brace/wedge a piece of 2x4 (or similar) against it to keep it tight while it dries. Give it a couple days.

 

[BillK2632]

Looks like the whole piece is expanding from the heat and popping out in that spot. Surprised that piece is glued on, would think there would be christmas tree type fasteners or velcro holding it on. Much of the cockpit upholstery is held in place with heavy duty velcro. My thought is to remove the whole thing and re-attach with strips of heavy duty velcro. You might even just try vecro in that spot if it is solid everywhere else.

Or what Dennis said ^^^

 

[Fill Ess]

You really can't go wrong with advice you get from Dennis ! Most of the time

 

[bbwhitejr]

The 420DA has a similar piece under the steering wheel about knee level. I had to remove it to reupholster it. There are tiny bolts/nuts every 3". Hell to get to and the bolts are 2" too long. Major pain, but doesn't move. Dennis' instructions are spot on. 5200 will hold it. Just hope you never have to take it off.

Bennett

 

[Tim Fila]

I'd bet a gallon of diesel, that there are Christmas tree fasteners behind that.

 

[BobFino]

Thanks for all the info. Unfortunately, there are no bolts or Christmas tree fasteners. I have tried a couple different epoxies, maybe it's time for 5200.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Are you sure there are no bolts? That's a pretty typical way for SR to attach these kinds of things. Have you looked behind to verify?

The other thing you could do, if you can get to all the nuts to remove it, is to elongate the holes (horizontally) that the bolts go through by about a total of 1/4" with a Dremel. This will allow the backer material to expand and slide without causing buckling.

5200 is about your best bet - but even it isn't "great" at sticking to plastic (especially PE).

 

[BobFino]

I have been under the helm and unfortunately there are no bolts, and I could see the glue that was used before. There is a backing plate I could see, not sure what the material is. I think I am at the point of using the 5200. I did think about making a small slit in the vinyl, use a screw in from the outside then use a vinyl repair kit. This would kind of be a last resort if the glue doesn't hold again.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Do you have room to put a very short screw or two in from the rear to pull it down tight?

Bennett

 

[BobFino]

That was my first thought, but the padding is so thin I am afraid that if anybody puts any kind of pressure where the screws will be placed, the screw will push through. Of course, they would have to put pressure exactly where the screw is, might give this a second thought. thanks again

 

[Jeremygavin]

That was my first thought, but the padding is so thin I am afraid that if anybody puts any kind of pressure where the screws will be placed, the screw will push through. Of course, they would have to put pressure exactly where the screw is, might give this a second thought. thanks again

Put the screw in place and screw it tight to make the hole in both the helm and bolster. Then back the screw out and grind off the tip flat, and screw it back in again. That way if it is poking through a bit and you put pressure on it, it is flat and not a point.

 

[BobFino]

Hmmmm.... I like that thought, thank you