Author Topic: headliner installation  (Read 6118 times)

Offline firemedic

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headliner installation
« on: May 03, 2003 - 02:01:57 PM »
I was wondering if anyone knew where I can find out info. on how to install a headliner for a 73 cuda properly, any web sites or books.
thanks




Offline johnrez

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Re:headliner installation
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2003 - 06:00:13 PM »
Firemedic - Funny you should ask....  Just finished mine about 20 minutes ago!  72 Challenger, 4 bow headliner..  Like you, a headliner virgin.  Paid something like 80 bucks from Paddock for mine.  Like an idoit, without thinking, threw out my bows... cost me another 40 on eBay to replace 'em.  Anyhow, got a quote from an interior place to install... $450!!  I said "$%^&, can't be that tuff!"  Wife read the instructions and body manual.  She said, "just like recovering a couch!"  I said, "you're hired!"  Low heat in dryer for a few minutes will get rid of folds and wrinkles!  We laid the oversized vinyl liner on the floor.  Centered bows in the slip sleeves.  Then cut back the sleeves so that 1 inch of each end of the bows were exposed.  DO NOT CUT BACK THE VINYL WITH THE LOOPS.  JUST THE LOOPS!!  Wife did that the first time, the liner was too narrow, bought a second one!  Work from back of car.  Slide rear most bow in holes in roof.  Pull vinyl toward rear glass and hook on tack strip with trim removed.  Use headliner spray adhesive (available at any auto store) to hold it at strip too.  When liner is streched from rear bow to along top of back glass, reinstall trim along glass, it helps hold and anchor.  let the C pillar and sides hang for now.  Now install next bow.  Locate dome light, stretch liner forward and install dome lite, helps hold and anchor liner.  Install next bow.  Stretch, then last forward bow.  Stretch to front tack strip along windshield.  Install fromt glass trim, visors, and rearview mirror to anchor.  Now center of headliner should be stretched and anchored.  With a person on each side of car at front pull outward toward raingutters of doors.  Use spray adhesive to help hold vinyl.  I also recommend some of those strong spring squeeze clamps from Home Depot, help hold liner in place at edge once stretched while adhesive is drying.  Try to get all the sags and wrinkles out.  If a few exist, that's okay, we can get rid of 'em!  Read on.  Use the small headliner clips and stretch, glue and  work your way back to c pillars.  install the side moldings to help anchor.  Slowly pull each C pillar material to cover the C.  Stretch, glue tack.  Now, if you have some sags of wrinkles, get a spray bottle of warm water.  moisten liner.  Roll up windows and park in the warm sun for the day!  Even if all the sags are not completely gone, the headliner will tighten up with age.  EASY!!!!  

Remember: Work back to front center, then outward.  Take your time, keep a sharp blade for trimming, reinstall the trim as you go to anchor your work and save yourself the 450 dead presidents!
Rez

Offline heminut

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Re:headliner installation
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2003 - 02:57:05 PM »
I just put a headliner in my Cuda and did basically the same thing as johnrez, only I didn't install the dome light, rearview mirror or visors until I had the headliner all stretched out to my liking.

Don't use the spray adhesive to glue the headliner cloth to the sailpanels, the cloth will bubble up after a few days. My upholstery guy warned me of this and I forgot and did it anyway. He was right! I've got to get back to him and find out what to use for the sailpanels.
1970 5.7 Hemi Cuda

Offline inot2old

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2005 - 02:53:12 PM »
I just put a headliner in my Cuda and did basically the same thing as johnrez, only I didn't install the dome light, rearview mirror or visors until I had the headliner all stretched out to my liking.

Don't use the spray adhesive to glue the headliner cloth to the sailpanels, the cloth will bubble up after a few days. My upholstery guy warned me of this and I forgot and did it anyway. He was right! I've got to get back to him and find out what to use for the sailpanels.


So what did you use for the sailpanels?
I just got my headliner from Legendary today and hope to install it tomorrow.
'71 Cuda 

'70 Charger project
'05 Crossfire Roadster

Offline MoparMatt383

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2005 - 08:55:15 PM »
Look at Hotrod magazine's website they have a very good article on redoing a headliner.  Showed me step by step and they did it on a duster too.  I used it to do the headliner on my challenger and it turned out pretty well.

Matt
Too many projects and nothing gets done.

Offline GreenFish

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2005 - 06:50:37 AM »
Hey guys.. im in the middle of doing my headliner..  I installed the insulation and it is basicly hanging in the car by the bows right now. What adhesive did you use?  what was it called and what brand?
70 cuda, 440, KB pistons, 10.5:1 compression, edlebrock heads,RacerBrown cam, 5-Speed Tremec, Megasquirt EFI

Offline heminut

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2005 - 01:41:48 PM »
I found some spray adhesive that works great! It's 3M Super Trim Adhesive, and the part # is 08090.
1970 5.7 Hemi Cuda

Offline GreenFish

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2005 - 02:10:00 PM »
ok , thats what I have.. It didnt bubble up like the other stuff you said not to use?? 
70 cuda, 440, KB pistons, 10.5:1 compression, edlebrock heads,RacerBrown cam, 5-Speed Tremec, Megasquirt EFI

Offline heminut

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2005 - 02:29:07 PM »
No, it worked great. Just follow the directions on the can. Make sure you've got everything lined up before you put it together though, when the parts are joined together they are stuck! :eekbig:
1970 5.7 Hemi Cuda

Offline GreenFish

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2005 - 10:35:31 AM »
Cool..  Now I just need to find time to finish it up.  :banghead:
70 cuda, 440, KB pistons, 10.5:1 compression, edlebrock heads,RacerBrown cam, 5-Speed Tremec, Megasquirt EFI

Offline miketyler

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Re: headliner installation
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2005 - 05:44:26 AM »
I bought mine and am saving it for last. I found this method on RestoRicks site from Moparts here:  http://www.restorick.com/tech/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5

It is similar to Johnrez's method.

1. First step is to make a sketch of the positioning of everything fastened to the headliner. This includes items such as the rearview mirror, visors, seat belt clips, coat hooks, shoulder belts, dome lamp, etc. If possible, a couple pictures can be very helpful, too.

2. After removing the original headliner, be sure to note the correct order of the bows. They are different and must be reinstalled in their original place. If they were previously removed and mixed up, they can be laid out side-by-side and sorted for position.

3. If the car already had the headliner removed, be sure that the dome lamp wiring is in place correctly and if your model has brackets for the shoulder belt clips they should be there as well.

4. The new headliner comes folded in a small box. The headliner may be laid out and warmed in the sun to relax out wrinkles, but it is not absolutely necessary.

5. Start by sliding the bows into the listing pockets and centering them. At this point carefully trim the listings so that about 1" of the bow is exposed. (This step is done outside of the car.)

6. Now move the headliner with bows into the car. Place the rear-most bow into the hanger clips. On the rear bow there are 2 small wires with hooks on the ends. One end hooks on the bow and the other presses into a small hole in the rear-most roof crossmember. There's one wire retainer used per side. I like to hook them slightly inboard so that as the headliner is stretched to the sides it will pull them straight.

7. Continue placing the rest of the bows working forward.

8. Now for the most important trick!!!... you need about a dozen or so small spring clamps. Some refer to these as Pony clamps; the ones with the orange dip coating on the tips and handles. These are used to clamp the headliner edges WITHOUT stabbing it onto the gripper teeth. These will allow you to work your way around the headliner gradually pulling it tight and drawing all the wrinkles out.

9. Start in the rear by verifying that the centerline marked on the headliner is lined up with center of the rear window opening. Pull the headliner rearward and clamp it in place. DO NOT PRESS IT INTO THE GRIPPER TEETH AT THIS TIME!!!

10. Again, in the front verify the centering and pull the headliner forward and clamp it in place. Once again don't press it into the gripper teeth.

11. Now work down the sides, pulling it gradually from each side, clamping it along the way. As the headliner is pulled outboard, the listing pockets will need to be re-trimmed; trim so that approx. 3/4" of bow is exposed up to the roof side crossmember. Be consistent with this dimension so that the point where the side-to-side stitch seams curves is the same down the whole side. Continue pulling & clamping around the perimeter until the headliner is taught.

12. When the entire headliner is tight and looking good, you can go to the next step. First check that the front and rear side-to-side seams are straight. Uneven pulling can make them uneven, this is easily corrected by readjusting. It should look nearly perfect at this point and be taught. Small tight creases from packing folds will come out easily with careful heating. Overheating will melt the material! Practice on a scrap piece if you're unsure of how hot you can make it. It's also important to keep moving around with the heat to prevent overheating a spot. Time in the sun will also relax out these packing folds. Soft wrinkles by the visor corners will be pulled out as these edges are glued.

13. Starting in the rear, pull slightly and press the headliner material onto the gripper teeth. Start in the center and work toward the outsides.

14. Repeat step 13 on the front edge.

15. The sides are done next. This area has to be glued with trim adhesive. I use a special glue gun with a pinpoint spray pattern, but it can also be brushed on. Glue between the clamps and install headliner clips at each seam. Trim edges to approx. 5/8". Remove the clamps as each section is dry enough to hold.

16. Trim and glue down areas in front next to the visors.

17. Pull headliner to eliminate wrinkles and push down onto gripper teeth in the sail panel areas. Supplemental glue is recommended along the bottom. Trim as needed.

18. Finish trimming around the front and rear edges being careful not to cut too close to the teeth.
 
19. Carefully locate the dome lamp position. Refer to your drawings or pictures to be sure. One wrong cut here and its back to square one! On many cars, the dome lamp can be attached in front or rear of the center roof crossmember. Be sure you have it in the right place... make a small slice and locate the wiring & socket. Only trim the slice large enough allow the lamp to be screwed on without distorting the headliner. Cutting an opening is not necessary or recommended.

20. Visors, mirror, etc. can be located by feeling through the material to find the indents for the screws. A small needle can also be used to check if you're unsure. Take your time! I haven't scrapped one yet, but I've come close!

 
« Last Edit: July 21, 2005 - 05:46:00 AM by miketyler »
72' Cuda restomod
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