The finishing touch to the interior of many boats is the vinyl-covered headlining panel, which can be detached to access under-deck fittings. Jake Kavanagh watches upholsterer Alan Dring make one from scratch
Trimming
![7: Flip the panel over and feel for any bubbles. If you find any, you can either manipulate them to the side, or carefully peel back the vinyl and re-lay it. Trapping air bubbles, however, is very rare.](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2016/02/036.jpg)
7: Flip the panel over and feel for any bubbles. If you find any, you can either manipulate them to the side, or carefully peel back the vinyl and re-lay it. Trapping air bubbles, however, is very rare.
![8: Once the glue has dried (about 15-20 mins) roughly cut around the perimeter of the board, leaving about 8cm all round.](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2016/02/035.jpg)
8: Once the glue has dried (about 15-20 mins) roughly cut around the perimeter of the board, leaving about 8cm all round.
![9: Score along the marks again with the blunt end of the scissors, just enough to break through the foam onto the vinyl underneath, without marking it. Practise on a scrap piece of material first. However…](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2016/02/038.jpg)
9: Score along the marks again with the blunt end of the scissors, just enough to break through the foam onto the vinyl underneath, without marking it. Practise on a scrap piece of material first. However…
![10…if adjoining panels on the boat are loose fitting (left) use a 6mm offcut of ply as a spacer when making your scoring cut. This ensures there’s foam on the panel edges, as well as the bottom. If the panels are a tight fit, you can trim back along the exact edges of the plywood instead.](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2016/02/041.jpg)
10…if adjoining panels on the boat are loose fitting (left) use a 6mm offcut of ply as a spacer when making your scoring cut. This ensures there’s foam on the panel edges, as well as the bottom. If the panels are a tight fit, you can trim back along the exact edges of the plywood instead.
![11: Peel off the excess foam. It should come off fairly easily. Brush away any remnants to create a smooth surface.](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2016/02/045.jpg)
11: Peel off the excess foam. It should come off fairly easily. Brush away any remnants to create a smooth surface.