Thread: Headliner Question??

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'33 three window coupe, I will have a solid fiberglass headliner insert that fits from the front header to the bottom of the back window, smooth and ready to accept fabric/vinyl. I have bulk leatherette (vinyl) yardage that matches the seats and I assume contact cement is the right approach? For the compound curve area in the back corners do you cut into the apex, allow overlap, cut through both pieces at the same time, remove the extra material and then simply butt the material together? I guess an alternative might be to dust it with bed liner for texture, then satin black, but I know there's probably a straight forward way to cover it with leather/vinyl and have it look good. Any helpful tips from those who know??

Originally Posted by rspears

'33 three window coupe, I will have a solid fiberglass headliner insert that fits from the front header to the bottom of the back window, smooth and ready to accept fabric/vinyl. I have bulk leatherette (vinyl) yardage that matches the seats and I assume contact cement is the right approach? For the compound curve area in the back corners do you cut into the apex, allow overlap, cut through both pieces at the same time, remove the extra material and then simply butt the material together? I guess an alternative might be to dust it with bed liner for texture, then satin black, but I know there's probably a straight forward way to cover it with leather/vinyl and have it look good. Any helpful tips from those who know??

Hey Roger,
post some pics so I can understand what your trying to do with the headliner.

Originally Posted by AllStitchedOut

Hey Roger,
post some pics so I can understand what your trying to do with the headliner.

I don't have my headliner insert yet - have to wait for one of the NSRA events when Duane (N&N) and I will be attending so he can bring the pieces as they are too big to ship via UPS/FedEx/USPS and the cost of oversize shipping is too much. Consider it is going to be a smooth fiberglass insert that basically follows the contures of the top side to side, back to front with a hole cut out for the back window. Duane offers these inserts for the '32, too. Mike52, can you post a picture of your '32 insert??

Roger, I snapped a few shots just for you, hope these show the compound curves in the corners you're referring to. Even with a shop light and the camera's flash, it's hard to tell where the corner flows into the roof area.

Mike

Perfect, Mike! Thanks for taking time to take the shots and post. AllStitchedOut, you can see from Mike's pictures that the insert creates a smooth, finished fiberglass headliner insert, ready to be covered or finished in some way. The compound curve in the corner is exactly what I am asking about.

Looking at that curve it should not be a problem to cover that corner in one piece with your material. Like you said contact cement will be fine just scuff the fiberglass first and allow yourself extra material to work with. You can also make a pattern and have everything sewn together but the first way is faster.

Watch wear you start to cover it,You need to make sure that there is no tension in your corners,That way heat won't release it later on.A high quaility glue must be used for best results.How wide is your fabric going to be makes a difference also,Most are 54 inches .