Headliner; who's done it?

[Capt. Ron]

I need to fix my headliner. Right now it's stapled to the form in places. I was wondering what some of you have done ie...different materials, patterns, etc. How did you apply the glue? Can I re-use the original material or should I find new stuff? Any before/ after pics? Thanks

[pavel]

Have never done this job on a Disco (am doing it on an old Willys soon). All the info I have read says you should use a special 3M adhesive for this job. I suspect you will find the foam backing on the OEM material will be too old/damaged and generally buggered to allow reuse.
Please post photos and explanations in the Tech section once you've done this job. Good luck!

[6cuda6]

Go to a good auto-parts supply and pick up a can of 3M spray adhesive, it´s not cheap but don´t settle for anything else. If you can remove the whole headliner and do it out of the truck it will be much easier. The easy way is to simply lift the material, spray the glue as per the directions and reapply the material. The best way would be to remove the material and re-back the panel with new foam and new material. Sorry no photo´s, done the job many times on other type vehicles.....

[pavel]

6cuda6: have you ever done a head lining removal on an old vehicle where the material is suspended and stretched across the ceiling? Any hints?

[Capt. Ron]

Yeah, I kinda thought the liner backing might be screwed too. Now that I think about it, it falls down on me like orange snow.

I have the glue info, but is this stuff really tacky or will it allow me to slide the liner and backing around to smooth wrinkles and adjust to fit?

[JungleRR]

Originally Posted by pavel

6cuda6: have you ever done a head lining removal on an old vehicle where the material is suspended and stretched across the ceiling? Any hints?

I had a volvo at one time that had that problem. What I did was just go ahead and put sewing needles in it. It held up quite well and if you get the ones with a very small head on it... it won't be noticeable. I sold the car before I fixed it properly... but that's an idea if you want a temp solution. Mine was fine fore the whole year I owned the car!

[6cuda6]

Originally Posted by pavel

6cuda6: have you ever done a head lining removal on an old vehicle where the material is suspended and stretched across the ceiling? Any hints?

Pavel, i sure have...i´ve restored a couple old cars and worked for a restoration shop for a few years...what would you like to know..

The best advise for this kind of set up is do it when it´s hot outside with the vehicle in the sun (the headliner needs to be warmed as well for best results)...the heat helps soften up the material so you can stretch it better...

I usualy try to work front to back then out to the sides....i have lots of tricks if you PM me i´ll let you in on a few..... later, Dean

[6cuda6]

Originally Posted by Capt. Ron

Yeah, I kinda thought the liner backing might be screwed too. Now that I think about it, it falls down on me like orange snow.

I have the glue info, but is this stuff really tacky or will it allow me to slide the liner and backing around to smooth wrinkles and adjust to fit?

Capt. Ron......it´s almost like contact cement.....no sliding etc... You could peal and re-apply but not the best idea. If it´s snowing in the truck you´ll have to replace or atleast remove the foam as it´s all dried out...you have a couple choices here, you can use some thin backing foam for stuff like laminate wood floors or you can go to an uppolstry shop and pick up some stuffing material (same stuff used to back the carpets in cars) but i prefer the foam as it´s lighter and does the job.....

As i mentioned to Pavel....do this when it´s warm so you can stetch the material tight as you install it....don´t worry to much about small creases as they will shrink just keep then reasonable....

[daway]

i heard that you need to change the foam (wrote above) or nothing will sick to it. my RR classic '93 lwb has the same problem, like most RR's. i found retainers that they sell at atlantic british link below. i have seen other place sell them too. i think i was going to try this intell i have some extra $$ to get new liner materal and time to take it out carefully from the back w/out putting a major crease in it. let us know if u find a good way.
http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/MWC8228LVMG.cfm

[Capt. Ron]

I've seen those plastic rivets on other posts. They look factory if you do it right. But mine is sagging everywhere so I think I'll just do it right. I'll tackle this in a couple weeks when school is out. No need to worry about warming up, I'm in Georgia. I might wait until I can get one of my kids to help. That way I can reduce wrinkles. One more question, I assume I would need to glue the new foam padding on first and then glue the new or old liner on to the foam, correct?

[6cuda6]

Yup...that´s correct....you´ll see how it goes once you get the old liner of the backing board....have fun, take your time and ít will look awesome!!! later, Dean

[Adam in NYC USA]

I have seen carbon fiber kits for some Japanese cars and I always have been an astronomy buff so if mine falls, I was thinking of a non-descript or shiny black liner. Those are much the same way in installation, 3M spray glue and then push it in.

Adam in NYC

[pavel]

JungleRR yes I thought about repairing the headlining (glue or needle and thread) but since I want to istall a sliding fabric sunroof at the same time, a new material will be better. At the moment I have no idea how to even remove the old lining...

6cuda6 that's a good tip about the warm day allowing stretching. Reminds me of a convertable top on an old Healey I had once - you could only clamp the locks shut on hot days. If you tried to clamp the top to the windshield on a cool day (or perish the thought in winter) you cracked the windshield glass! Now why would I want to put the top up on a cool, rainy day?????So, after two new windshields, I know about vinyl expansion/contraction characteristics and temperature.
I'll be picking your brain about this headlining thing in future, thanks!

[6cuda6]

Any time!!!! just PM me if there´s anything i can help you with....later, Dean