What ceiling treatments do you use for bathroom?

belfert · July 22, 2012, 08:07:40 PM

My bathroom walls are going to be FRP. I'm using FRP for the bathroom because my bus gets pretty dirty out in the desert.

Anyhow, I was going to use FRP on the ceiling too, but I realized it probably wouldn't stay that well. I'm using some carpet on the ceiling in the rest of the bus, but not sure I want carpet on the bathroom ceiling. What do you guys use in the bathroom? I'm thinking about just painting the ceiling, or maybe upholster with vinyl.

usbusin · July 22, 2012, 08:15:38 PM

Brian, my walls and ceiling are white vinyl over 1/4" foam. Easy to keep clean and going on 12 years old now.

We like it. YMMV

GaryD

robertglines1 · July 22, 2012, 08:19:39 PM

We use luan covered with marine vinyl. stretch vinyl over front staple on back and fasten assembly to ceiling frame work.

belfert · July 22, 2012, 08:30:43 PM

I'll have to pay a visit to the upholstery store this week. The closest one I know of is only open 2 1/2 days a week. You would think they would have a white vinyl in stock.

My idea for foam is to use the really thin foam that goes under laminate flooring. Would that work, or should I just get the thinnest upholstery foam?

robertglines1 · July 22, 2012, 08:32:34 PM

I have used it but watch it will react with some adhesives. melt we actually use thin quilt batting.stapled to the luan they don't show.

Ace · July 22, 2012, 09:03:28 PM

The underpayment foam WILL work. Just use a spray adhesive then cover it with your choice. I did my whole coach this way and it looks as good today as it did 8 years ago!

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TomC · July 22, 2012, 09:59:09 PM

I used Kemlite spray glued (Dupont 90 spray glue) to the plywood ceiling on my bus 18 years ago and it is still up. I've used the same thing in my truck-works well and is light weight, and cleans easy. Good Luck, TomC

belfert · July 23, 2012, 05:17:44 AM

Quote from: TomC on July 22, 2012, 09:59:09 PM
I used Kemlite spray glued (Dupont 90 spray glue) to the plywood ceiling on my bus 18 years ago and it is still up. I've used the same thing in my truck-works well and is light weight, and cleans easy. Good Luck, TomC

What is Kemlite? Is that another name for FRP panels? The Kemlite brand has changed to Crane Composites and they make a number of different products.

goutoe · July 23, 2012, 05:46:18 AM

Have the upholsterer show you some headliner samples, they usually have the foam backing, they also should be able to supply you with headliner adhesive.

robertglines1 · July 23, 2012, 06:04:39 AM

About glue didn't say it would not hold just that the flooring foam like pad did react and ?melted and made hard like uneven texture in my case. with proper foam prob would be OK. just check compatibility. was DuPont we tried. just went back to our old ways with the quilt batting we used on our other coaches.

belfert · July 23, 2012, 06:43:32 AM

Do I really need adhesive? My panels are 22" and 30" wide. Can I just wrap the vinyl around and staple it on the backside?

mike802 · July 23, 2012, 06:52:34 AM

Any upholstery supply shop, or a upholster can get you spray adhesive specially made for foam that will not melt the foam. You have to be careful on the ceiling and make sure the adhesive is designed for high temp's. Foam adhesive not meant for high temps will not hold when exposed to the elevated temperatures that can be found at the ceiling. Granted this is probably worse in a car than a bus, but that depends on how well insulated the bus is, regardless a bus in storage can easily see temps rise above 100 degrees.

Panels upholstered without adhesive will cause the fabric to sag. Warm temps will cause some fabrics to heat up and stretch leading to more sagging. If you wanted to hold the fabric up without adhesive you could do so with buttons, or some type of sewing if you know someone with a machine that can accommodate that kind of width. But the adhesive would probably cost less because its a lot less labor intensive.

Mike in GA · July 23, 2012, 09:23:18 AM

Both Home Depot and Lowes sells 4x8 sheets of a Formica-type laminate that is meant for home shower stalls. It is white and textured. Sort of a nubbley, pebbley finish. You have seen it a hundred times in bar and restaurant restrooms on the walls. Cheap, flexible and durable.
Mike in GA

RickB · July 23, 2012, 09:37:51 AM

Brian,

At the risk of getting you angry I want to remind you that you tend to start a bunch of really difficult tasks right before you leave on a big trip and I'm assuming that since we're getting on to August that your rocketry trip to the desert must be soon. Maybe keeping it simple this year before you leave will lead to alot less stress right before you leave. Just my two cents...

RB

Lin · July 23, 2012, 10:13:03 AM

Our bathroom is done in a wood grain laminate. It was wallpapered over, and we scrapped that off. It is still fine. Laminates are tough stuff.