Lookin for some examples of coupe headliner installation

[Crease]

I am on a mission to carry out the worlds slowest upholstery job. So far, I have the door and kick panels cut. Also finished up all the wood. Getting ready to do the rear quarter window panels. My question is, whats the best way to secure the head liner. I have several ideas in my head, but would like to get some input. My car is a 33' 5 window, but examples of anything from 28-40 or so would be of interest.

Thanks folks!

[Crease]

BTTT

[Ryan]

I'm interested in this too... anyone have any shots of early ford headliners?

[40fordtudor]

Originally Posted by Ryan

I'm interested in this too... anyone have any shots of early ford headliners?

i've asked this several times Ryan---nothing. there is a cardboard piece at the rear of the garnish moulding on a 39/40 ford tudor that goes to the small rear window--it crumbled to dust when we pulled the old headliner and i can't seem to find anyone that knows anything about the dimensions/composition/etc. if you should hear anything regarding this, i'd appreciate a pm. i have looked at most posted pics on the HAMB but it's usually a completed interior and is no help---Marty

[tootallrodder]

This year when I did the Headliner on my 36 Tudor, I used Hot melt glue to attach the headliner to the window frames on the body then the garnish molding/window frames cover it all. The glue works great and was used where the tack strips did not exist.

Good luck with it.

[skipstitch]

The following pic is of a headliner we did in a '32 plymouth. It's a realtively simple process that we've done time and time again cars from Model T coupes to cars as new as a '48 Chevy sedan. Although this one is of a contemporary design... You could do one with a tuck and roll insert.

I'm startin' one in a '41 Willys coupe on Tuesday and will finish it up by Wednesday. I can snap some pics of the process if it's of interest and do a "How-To". It does require a stitch around the outter edge by an industrial machine, Some good contact cement, a hand stapler, a piece of thin cardboard, some foam and an item called Plygrip (available from any furniture repair shop. With a few instructions, anyone can handle it.. Should I take some pics? Stitch

[skipstitch]

nother...in a '39 chevy sedan. It shows the stitch line a bit better.

[50dodge4x4]

OH YES post that "How To" It would be great to see how it is actually suppose to be done. Gene

[skipstitch]

Cool... I'll start snappin' pics in the morning and post 'em later in the evening in this thread.

[Crease]

Skipstitch,

The pics would be greatly appreciated. That's beautiful work. Im gonna be in way over my head, but Im trying to get this 33' 5 window built on a single income, 2 kids, wife drives a nice car kinda budget. Dad gave me an industrial machine, but didn't provide the talent. Im doing this realllly slow. Im proud of the rest of the car and just hoping the interior looks presentable. One way or another it will cause if it sucks Im selling a kidney and makin a trip to see Mr Fatlucky. I'll post some pics in early 2010 when I get it done.

[skipstitch]

FatLUcky requires a Kidney!?! I thought the goin' price was an arm & a leg!? Looks like I gotta raise my price

This method is pretty straight forward and can be done by anyone. There is a great "cheat" I'll pass along to help you stitch a straight line that will never show in the final product.

[daveydeuce]

Great presentation!! Since you are in the business, would know, we have been trying to find the "new" replacement for the paper panel board we use for door, kick, quarter panels, etc. It is some type of plastic/polyethlyene or something like that. Have seen a couple of upholstery articles in car mags that used it however they always fail to say what it is or where it may be obtained. Hopefully you will have the info. Thanx, Dave

[MIKE-3137]

The pics are great, but still a lot of skill involved there..What would a typical upholtstery shop charge to fab a headliner from scratch like that?

[skipstitch]

Hey Davey, I'll guess you're talkin' about abs plastic??? We use 1/8" luan for all our door/ kick/ trunk panels. In some roadsters I'll use ABS. It's available from a place called Columbus Plastics around here. I'd check your area for plastic manufacturers.

That's a great question 31/37.... We don't do "piece work"...but I'd have to say with all the prep I'll have about 10-12 hours in it plus materials... Maybe $450-$1000...but that's a guess. I know that sounds funny for someone who does it. But we only do full interiors.

[Rusty]

Great post but I think I will leave this kind off work for yall to do. Great work. Thanks for sharing the talent

[Bass]

You could also try your local sign shop or sign supply for ABS plastic sheet. There are also some other plastic products that would would work well for panels, such as HIPS (high impact polystyrene).

Great post!

[Crease]

Thanks for taking all the time Skipstitch! What a great post. Im gonna be starting on mine this afternoon.

Like Bass said, the local sign shop or plastic supplier should have 1/8" ABS. If not, it can be odered from McMasterCarr on line. I started working with it, but found that it was not very flexible.

[Automotive Stud]

Just a thought. Maybe you could glue the headliner to a cardboard shell and install that somehow. The garnish mouldings can hold down the edges tight. I like to use contact cement to hold down corners, it can be loosened by hand if you need to pull up a corner later.

[Jason455]

skipstitch, I would love to see pics. I do household furniture. I have no idea how you get car interiors to look like that. AWESOME!

[snapper]

Some basic cloth, 40' Ford Coupe....H