This past weekened while traveling, my wife shut the passenger door on her 02 Escape and the vinyl covering on the door panel, between the window and armrest, peeled halfway off.

Underneath it looks like the glue has just dry rotted. I tried to tack down one corner to see if industrial strength contact cement would hold it. It worked until it sat in the sun all day and the glue will no longer hold.

Besides a upholsterer, anyone have any suggestions? I am afraid the rest will peel off soon. I have it tacked down with two tiny staples just to keep it from tearing off but the slightest tug and it will go the rest of the way.

 

Does it have that crumbly foam behind it? You have to get all of that stuff and the old glue off the vinyl and the panel before gluing otherwise it will come loose again.

You should use a proper adhesive though. I believe 3M, DAP, Loctite, and some others make vinyl adhesive/caulk. You might ask you local quality paint store or upholstery shop. Auto parts or hardware stores may have something. Something like this 3M Super Trim adhesive stuff.

If you have to remove that old foam it will probably never be the same as new unless you have it redone or get new panels but at least it won't be loose.

 

Yes it has that foam behind it. I took a rag with a little acetone to it pretty good before trying the cement on a corner.

We are tradining it in probably in the next few months so I just don't want it coming off but look decent. I don't care about looking as good as it did before. Just good enough at first glance you do not notice, unless you examine it.

I will run to the parts store and see what they have.