Reattaching Headliner?

[AZ-240z]

This is probably a little off topic, but worth mentioning, while a conversation about headliners is being discussed. There is a parts source on line at www.New-Datsun-Parts.com which some may be familiar with. You will find many nice NOS Datsun parts, including new NOS headliners for the Z. Things are pretty pricy here (I think he is asking $245 for headliners) but if you can't find it anywhere else, and you need original Datsun parts ! ! ! ! ! ! ? ? ? ? I am in no way affiliated with this supplier, but did buy a new headliner from him several years ago, with the little perforations as original, for less than half of what he is asking now.

I had to install this headliner without removing the vinyl windshield and door frame header material and wasn't sure if I had room to tuck in the headliner above these headers, especially when the roof and headliners would be positioned with a coat of tacky glue and no room for error or adjustment.

Well, to make a long story longer, I got cold feet, and took the car to my local auto upholstery shop for an estimate. He said, sure, plenty of room, will take 30 minutes, and cost you $50. I had already cleaned all of the old glue from the roof with 3M Adhesive Remover which took about two evenings, and this sounded pretty good, but still had some trepidations.

Finally, took the car back, and watched the entire process. He covered exposed interior areas around the roof, used a hand held masking board and shot the roof with fine spray of some yellow adhesive from a pot and sprayhead attachment on his air hose. While that was tacking up, he used a heat lamp to smooth out the headliner and sprayed a couple of coats of glue on the foam backside. After both were appropriately tacky, or dry, he and an associate positioned the headliner with precision and pressed it into place using a scraper-like tool to smooth it to the roof surface and tuck in the edges above the windshield and door headers. I had already removed all of the interior plastic trim pieces from the quarter windows and the overhead interior light trim.

I will add a disclaimer here in that, how much adhesive was used, how much time was allowed to tack up, and whether a final wet coat of adhesive was sprayed before installation cannot be accurately recalled, as well as what kind or brand of adhesive was used.

The headliner went in completely smooth with all edges perfectly hidden and not a speck of adhesive overspray anywhere, and he made it look easy. For me, $50 was a bargain with so many ways I could have screwed it up by attempting to install, and ruin, an expensive NOS headliner.

Just wanted to relate my experience if it can help anyone in their attempting at this.

Wick Humble, in "How To Restore Your Datsun Z Car" book, also has a good little article on the process.

Dan