Fitting Headliner

chris68 · Post by **chris68** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:40 am

Has anyone got tips for fitting a headliner. I'm following the guides on this forum but I can't seem to fit it without creases around the edges, particularly around the seams.

Are you supposed to carefully use a heat gun after gluing to shrink out the creases? Or before, to make the headliner more elastic so it can be stretched into position?

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris

Bob_Salmon · Post by **Bob_Salmon** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:59 pm

You won't be able to 'improve' it much with a heat gun afterwards Chris. Just spend lots of time and use lots of clips to pull everything into shape, then just glue smallish sections at a time.

You will be pleased with the result!

Bob

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:31 pm

IIRC, I seem to remember that I treated it like I used to when I was into model aircraft (wing covering).

I clamped it very roughly in place, just to make sure it was all about central. Then I established a central portion (near the interior lights) that was nice and wrinkle-free, and of a nice tension. After that I'm sure that, having established a base-point, so to speak, I worked out from there: a section aft, then a bit forward, etc etc. At each stage checking that the next stage would line up O.K.

The hairdryer won't solve huge problems. Much better to regard it as a finessing trick, rather than a full-on crease remover.

One last thing, if you're putting a white headliner in, it's very much worthwhile having some clean towels and a bucket/bowl of warm soapy water handy. It's quite nice to keep cleaning your hands, just to keep the whites bright

.

chris68 · Post by **chris68** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:34 pm

Thanks for the advice chaps. I'll persevere, but I think I'll let someone else fit a carpet for me. I prefer the oily bits and electrics to glue and fabric.

All the best,
Chris

jtparr · Post by **jtparr** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:24 pm

I was given a bit of a trick from the company that did some recovering of trim for me, which was try using a wall paper stripper steam tool

smother the sections, yes they get wet but it all dries out especialy if you use the hair drier trick in parallel

I tried it and it did work

best thing is to try and get it generally as right as posible before you start gluing

hth
jp

haasad · Post by **haasad** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:42 pm

I'm just about to do this. I figure warm it up to help with tension and bulldog clips aplenty.

BUTTT......

Which or what glue is best? Presumably contact adhesives, any opinion or experience appreciated.

andy

Alan @ CanfordClassics · Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:37 pm

Hi,

The best advice I can offer is to take your time. Get it fitting nicely first, measure twice - cut once and use good glue. I use a trade supplied contact adhesive. Andy if you need some I can find the details for you.

Once done it should be nice and smooth...

In case a pic helps...

HTH

Alan

Cortina · Post by **Cortina** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:48 pm

Andy ..... headcloth ?? ... far too heavy !!

Steve T · Post by **Steve T** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:32 pm

i just fitted one to my sunroof car and it took me 15hrs plus, i agree with alan, take your time and i used loads of bull dog clips to get it in place before gluing. i bought a high temp glue from woolies which seems okay.
most diificult bit i thought was cotting the hole in the right pace for the inereior light. i started from the front and worked back. id probably pay some one to fit it next time !!

Alan @ CanfordClassics · Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:46 pm

In case it helps it makes sense to trim the top of the A and B post whilst there.

Thanks

Alan

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

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