Headliner installation questions

[Jeff G 78]

I have been dragging my feet on this for months. I have installed several in the past with success, but I need to install it in my '78 now. The best advice is to get a patient, meticulous friend to help. Don't ask your wife or your buddy that is always in a rush to hack stuff together. It's all about getting it straight and working from the middle out.

[Oiluj]

All advice above is right-on.

Biggest thing for me was to not apply glue to the perimeter edges. Left about 1-1/2 on all sides unglued. Went back and added glue to the back edge after installation. Sides and front are well captured by the roof structure. Made it much easier.

[TRtom]

Well I followed everyone's instruction and even added a few and got it installed and looks good. However, and there always seems to be a however, the precut one I bought (I think it was Datsun Unrestore, or something) the vinyl was preglued to the foam so I left that alone. BIG MISTAKE.

Following everyone's instruction, the paint sticks were the trick in particular I put the front in and then used 3 stir sticks and stuck them in the front to hold up the vinyl while I sprayed it and the top (the sticks were facing the back of the car, one on each side and one in the middle all facing the read of the car) That was the trick.

After all was said and done the foam stuck great, but the vinyl that was already stuck to the foam from the parts guy, came lose, so the foam is stuck tight to the roof (the part I did) the vinyl that was stuck by the parts guy fell off. Not sure how easy this will be to fix, but screw it for now until it lands on my lap.

Future warning, be sure the vinyl is well stuck to the foam.

One other item, I took a plastic drop cloth and laid it all over the inside of the car to protect everything, that worked great even though that spray product does not splash much at all.

Edited June 26, 2009 by TRtom

[Travel'n Man]

For future reference, when your headliner is out is the perfect time to soundproof. It makes a HUGE difference in the roof sound quality. I am also attaching picures on how I attached the other pieces. It was a complete pain in the azz but it does help if you have a very patient helper to complete the project and don't get in a hurry. Don't buy the ultra fast drying glue.....you will need a little wiggle room

[cbudvet]

Travel'n Man, did you use adhesive on the dynamat or just apply it to the roof as you would anywhere else? I assume you then applied the headliner to the dynamat with a spray adhesive. Does that make sense?

carl

[Travel'n Man]

Carl-

You are correct........I cleaned the surface of the metal and attached the Dynamat with the roller - after pre-fitting because once it is attached .......well, it's there to stay. I then made sure my headliner was prefit cut and put a piece of tape in the middle where I knew I needed to start once glued. I then sprayed both side and let set up. Then, just lilke the ones before me start in the middle and work out. I tucked the side into the metal frames.......that was the easy part. Do be sure to support your headliner and let the eveything totally set up overnight before you move on the the front and side pieces.

The three other pieces were extremely hard to stretch and fit and keep in place and clamp - you really need 4 hands working at the same time to do a good job. That is why I posted pictures because hopefully it will help somebody working on the headliner and the front and side pieces.

Be sure to place plastic sheets over car to protect your paint when you are spraying the glue........it does like to fly out of the can when you are working on the side pieces and front - just like the headliner - spray both surfaces and let set up and get tacky for a minute or so before attaching.

You will need something to keep the glue off you hands as well because it does get messy and sticky. You can use some glue-be-gone once you are finished to get any residue off your trim.