Home› Modifications & Upgrades
Options

Kitchen Ceiling Delamination Repair

BrianZBrianZ Member Posts: 1,763
in Modifications & Upgrades
At the end of our last camping trip we noticed the aluminum surface of the kitchen ceiling was coming loose  from the underside of the wood cabinet, mainly around the edges but especially noticeable near the light fixture & right edge.  Of course, by the time we got back home and could deal with it, our warranty period had expired, and fixing it myself seemed like a better option anyway since our dealer is located in another state.


I picked up some of these stainless steel  #8 pan head 1/2" sheet metal screws for reinforcement.


I drilled small pilot holes every 3.5" around the perimeter about a half inch from the edge & put the screws in with a drill driver.  It's nice to have the driver with clutch settings for jobs like this.  The hardest part was measuring & marking all the spots in this awkward space for using a center punch & hammer to make a small dent for drilling.


As one might expect, the problem was primarily just on this right half, above the stove, presumably due to the increased temperatures in this area affecting the adhesive.  We've always made a point of opening the front window & running the fan when using the stove, though we do tend to run it at lower speeds now that we have a continuous fan speed control, as the noise is much more tolerable. 

I wonder how many have had this issue?  If I was a new T@B owner & knew this could happen, I'd probably do this proactively to reinforce it.

-Brian in Chester, Virginia
TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods 
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Comments

  • Options
    jkjennjkjenn Member Posts: 6,391
    I will look, but I do not think my T@b has a piece of aluminum in that location. I wo der if it was a mod by the last owner?

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Options
    dsfdogsdsfdogs Member Posts: 584
    I just checked mine and the aluminum is still stuck well. I hadn't paid attention it was up there and like it! 
    Debbie in Oregon
    2023 Tab 400 / 2022 F150 XLT Sport 3.5EB
    Traded in - 2018 T@B 320 S/2019 Toyota 4Runner SR5

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Options
    BrianZBrianZ Member Posts: 1,763
    We bought ours new from a dealer, so no previous owner.  I wasn't sure it was aluminum until I drilled into it & got some metallic shavings, but it's fairly thin & seems to be laminated on a thicker base which is glued to the wood.  The whole laminate layer was coming loose at the edges.  I suspect it's a function of how much heat exposure the glue receives and maybe how much residual "memory" the sheet metal retains from being in a roll at some point.  Our T@B spent its first summer sitting in a dealer's lot in the Wlimington, NC, heat.
    We first noticed it when pressing the light switch button and the whole fixture would move up and down a little bit, then realized some of the other edges had some play in them when pressing upwards.  It did not appear to be loose in the center though.  I'm satisfied now that we won't have to worry about it anymore.
    -Brian in Chester, Virginia
    TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
    RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Options
    EstancioEstancio Member Posts: 243
    Mine's bare wood...and it will most likely catch fire before it will delaminate.
    Stancil Campbell
    2011 T@B
    Rockingham, NC

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
Sign In or Register to comment.