TheSamba.com :: View topic - Ragtop headliner, first time for me. Orig style or "ea

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:24 am

Looking into ordering my interior parts soon from J bugs so figured I'd ask the question of which is actualy easier to install. I've heard arguments towards staying with the multi piece. I'm not concerned with originality on my '63 Foval just want a nice outcome.

Alos what material is easiest to work with?

Thanks ahead for any info.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:13 am

vintagevwnut wrote: Looking into ordering my interior parts soon from J bugs so figured I'd ask the question of which is actualy easier to install. I've heard arguments towards staying with the multi piece. I'm not concerned with originality on my '63 Foval just want a nice outcome.

Alos what material is easiest to work with?

Thanks ahead for any info.

First time for me too. I went with the cloth "mohair" from Wolfsburg West. Also I got the DVD from classicvwbugs.com (Chris Vallone does a great job.)

I heard that the cloth is easier to work with than the vinyl. I can see how you can get the wrinkles out but its definitely a tricky job. I spent about 4-5 hours doing the padding, plenty of beer breaks waiting on contact cement to dry :)
So far this week I have tackled both B-Pillars and the rear window. If you take your time you can do a really nice job. I have a few wrinkles here and there but nothing to get too worried about. I heard you have to heat up the vinyl or do it in the summer months to get out the wrinkles.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:53 pm

I used the one peice kit from TMI a complete pita but with paitence you can do a nice job. You can see pics of my install here.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495527

Havent completed the ragtop area, seems the materila is wider than the openng going to have to ask questions as to why. I could not find any instructions on the install, pretty much just went at it. From my experience with this one I would go with multi peice if possible,don't get me wrong this one turned out nice but took the better part of 4 weekends to do. TMI does'nt offer much help last I heard was they were working on instructions. Also the sunroof opening is not cut you have to make the decision where the opening belongs.

Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:53 pm

I think it is easier to get the multipiece good, I have seen too many plastic onepiece that dont look good, and owners complained about difficulties when fitting it.

But it is a job.

Wed Feb 22, 2012 2:23 pm

From what I've heard as well the multi piece will turm out better as well. I wish it was in the budget to have it done by a shop, but I don't see that happening. Tryin to stay in a budget to help pay gor other things, it goes fast that's for sure. Lol.

It would seem like you work wrinkles out from each seperate piece on a multi kit insteaf of dealing with one large piece and chasing a wrinkle across it. Alll in theory.