I am changing the color of the interior on mama's 55 Ford Customline. With that said, I remember from years back that some cars required the front and back glass being pulled to install the headliner. Please tell me I don't have to do that. This started out as a minor update.....I just want to install a white headliner.
Sorry, you need to pull the glass to do it correctly. The headliner staples in the pinchweld under the rubber. The guy that used to do my work said glue alone would not hold. He had 50 years exp. I trusted what he said.
Good time to install new gaskets. Cut the old rubber to get the glass out with out breaking it. It will cost a little more but its money well spent. Good luck
DANG IT!!!!!! OK, kinda what I thought. It has fairly new rubber in it. Guess its a good time for a respray, while I am it. Did ya'll see what just happened?
Root: Be cautious in ordering rubber gaskets!!! "Steele rubber" is the best, they specialize in 'classics'. Not cheap, but excellent. Heck, do it once.
It will be fun after it's over. Just makin memories, Root. I feel your pain. MAYBE dye it? probably not, but maybe.
Good advice. I was gonna paint the dash anyway. Now I don't have to worry about staying away from the glass.
If you are careful and the rubber is still fairly soft you should be able to get them out. Lube and two people would help. I've done it before and I don't do glass work.
While we are talking about this, who makes a good fit headliner? I bought carpet from Stock Interiors and was less than impressed. And what would a late 50's custom have had in it? Perforated or not? I only remember seeing perforated as a kid, but I am a 68 model.
Well, I don't know much but I have installed quite a few headliners in older cars. The only one I ever pulled the glass on was a '67 Mustang.
Root, you don't have to remove the windshield & back glass to replace the headliner. I don't have the heart to tell you the truth and you did say please. HRP
Root, I am well aware of Stock Interiors, I went to their address which is about 30 miles from me in Seneca ,South Carolina to purchase the material and carpet for our wagon, after searching high and low I found them, nothing more than a post office box at a UPS store. I have no idea were they are and with some of the product I have seen I'm glad I couldn't find them. they have poor reviews. HRP
It has no interior in it now. That's how this started. My wife said " I don't like the faded seats in my car". It was all downhill after that. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-mild-custom-transformation-mamas-55.1119265/
I remember white perforated headliner was the "in" thing for 50s cars back when I was in high school. Thats what I bought for my 56 avatar. Only I haven't gotten around to putting it in yet. I don't think the Chevy needs the back glass out but since I quit working on it I haven't researched it yet.
I have bought some Steele rubber for my 55 along with some from carpenter and others. I don't see the difference myself. I recently had a discussion with a friend who has built lots of 55/56 fairlanes and his comment about rubber was that he had used door seals from all of them and they all appeared to be the same. I did notice that Steeles door seals for my Sunliner were almost double the price of Carpenters for the same item.
You might as update the motor/trans while you’re at it, better brakes would be nice. Oh yeah new dual exhaust would be real cool. Don’t hate me, it was a joke!
^^^Yep, and send out all the chrome for replating. Headliner install as well as glass R&R are right up there with block sanding in some of my least enjoyable, tedious tasks.
You can't just do one thing, Its against the rules. might as well order a wire kit while your at it. Good luck
I do it for a living as well. I have never told anybody they had to remove a windshield or a rear window. I tell them only if they want to, then do it. Never had a problem with the headliners coming loose. I always install a tackstrip to staple to when ever possible. And always replace old tackstrips. I only order headliners from ACME Auto Headlining. Even if I only need a pattern as well. Carpet. I only order from Auto Custom Carpets. You might have to be a dealer to order from both of these places.