Headliner

[John Robinson]

Heres one I have not seen on here before. I am needing advice on how to fix the headliner it is hanging down from the top, If I rub it and get some static in it I can get it to stick to the top for a little while. Is there an easy way to fix this problem like maybe spraying contact cement in through a little hole or better yet can I take it off and remount it tighter.

 

[Schrade]

I had a how-to photo-doc'ed for headliner repair, but I cannot find where I posted it... :confused

This pic is the only one I can find at the moment...

The image is from a cotton T-shirt, embossed onto the new HL fabric by my tailor. If you have a '93, you get a '93 T-shirt from Eckler's, and get it put on ruby fabric. Another C4? Get the C4 logo T-shirt, and put it on fabric to match Polo Green.

I have some scrap material, and another logo somewhere; PM me if interested, for procedure details too...

 

[Schrade]

This ain't a secret like the leather restoration thread. And I'm an equal-opportunity joker, so here's details I can remember about this headliner, so I don't have to call BS on myself post #13 ... No fear of corporate espionage here NOPe.

Some details are here, and here, but I think all pics got wiped by server upgrade or something.

Anyway here...

Use a teflon spatula. Try not to bend the pad any more than necessary when removing it from the roof. I think that thing is a few hundred $$ at Eckler's or MAM. Apart from that, there's nothing to damage at removal. Make sure there's no dirt or grit on the blanket that your roof is sitting on!

After it's out, and the old fabric is CAREFULLY removed from the pad, spray the pad both sides with a few cans of cheap poly paint. This keeps the dusty breakup to a minimum, and the glue bonds better.

I used cove base glue to apply the fabric to the pad, and to apply the completed pad to the roof. Lowe's or Home Depot. New fabric onto the pad first, have about 5"-6" to overlap the edges.

Lay the fabric on the bare pad dry fit. Fold it half over, exposing the pad. Apply the cove base glue, about 2x the thickness of a DVD, on the pad. Fold back the fabric. DO NOT PRESS DOWN WITH YOUR PAWS!!! Use a paintbrush, or something, and LIGHTLY brush. Press too hard, and the light beige glue will come THROUGH the fabric!!!

Then repeat for the other half, making sure to not press the glued half.

When it drys, flip the pad/fabric, and put it onto a pillow if you can, to allow for the curve. Getting the corners glued flat is a little tricky. Fold the corner over towards the center of the roof. Then fold along edges over top of the corner. Pin it or tape it til dry. You can press a little harder, since this side is not exposed. Do be mindful that the other side should be dry tho'. If you're doing a glass top, the corners will be REALLY tricky YuP.

When it's dry, put glue into the roof inside surface, again, about double the thickness of a DVD, since this is gonna' get toasty. Press lightly again, and allow to dry.

The fabric will be about $5. Glue is $7-8. A logo from a cotton T-shirt will be $20, and stitching it to the fabric will be a few $$ at the local tailor. Just a little less than $300 uH HUh.

POST PICS!

 

[John Robinson]

I am unfamiliar with cove base glue. Is it a spray contact glue or something like liquid nails?

Next is the headliner a foam pad and if it breaks up could I fashion one from a piece of foam?

Thanks for the write up when I get to this job I will try to take pictures and post them.

 

[Schrade]

Cove base is that rubber/vinyl stuff at the base of the wall in military buildings and schools.

If that backing pad disintegrates or folds up, you could probably get something similar at the same fabric shop that you get the new material. It ain't exactly high spec or load bearing; it just should fit right, and stick, and have a R-value higher than a propane torch . Remember, we got global warming out side. :eyerole Sometimes, you can set the A/C on snow, and you still cook in the vette.

 

[boomdriver]

View attachment 2438

Cove base is that rubber/vinyl stuff at the base of the wall in military buildings and schools.

If that backing pad disintegrates or folds up, you could probably get something similar at the same fabric shop that you get the new material. It ain't exactly high spec or load bearing; it just should fit right, and stick, and have a R-value higher than a propane torch View attachment 2439 . Remember, we got global warming out side. :eyerole Sometimes, you can set the A/C on snow, and you still cook in the vette.

If there is a Hobby Town store in the area, go there and find the various backing boards that are used for displays and other artsy crafty kinda stuff....
What works well is a foam-back display board if you can find the proper thickness. It has the foam with a skin on one side, some even have a peel off layer with a sticky layer on the other...useful when trying to position your new logo/fabric.