TheSamba.com :: View topic - Headliner material for interior of pop-top

Tue Nov 12, 2013 2:58 am

I plan to do a spruce-up of my pop-top this winter including new exterior paint and a new canvas tent. While the top is off for paint, I wanted to address the inside if the fiberglass.

Looking for feedback from those who might have used a fabric headliner to do this project in the past.

I was thinking I could use spray adhesive and a nice tan cloth headliner material. Figure it would absorb some sound and provide a cozy feel to the interior of the bus.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Nate

Tue Nov 12, 2013 8:15 am

They sell a foamed-backed velvet material for van conversions and such. I know they have it at JoAnn's fabic, but I bought mine at a van conversion shop. It's stretchy so it will conform to all the grooves and bumps. Make sure you use professional quality spray adhesive.
I have some pictures of my install in my gallery pics.

Tue Nov 12, 2013 8:31 am

have a look online at boat hull liner fabric. I've seen it installed in a high top (samba member simonslp,glued fabric over insulation) and in a stock pop top.

an example of the fabric : http://www.sailrite.com/HullBlanket-Headliner-Hull-Liner-Carpet-Type-Silver-Grey-M66

I used, believe it or not, thin indoor/outdoor carpet on my pop top. Did not have the same 2 way stretch as the hull liner stuff, but it worked fairly well.

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/vanagon-pop-top-canvas-swap/

alistair

Tue Nov 12, 2013 4:55 pm

FNGRUVN wrote: They sell a foamed-backed velvet material for van conversions and such. I know they have it at JoAnn's fabic, but I bought mine at a van conversion shop. It's stretchy so it will conform to all the grooves and bumps. Make sure you use professional quality spray adhesive.
I have some pictures of my install in my gallery pics.

Thanks Man. I did a Google search last night and indeed Joann's carries headliner material.

I looked at your photo gallery...you've got some mad skills. Nice stable of vans you've got there.

Thanks again,

Nate

Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:20 pm

I did this to my poptop..

The headliner I bought online from a boat supply store..off white, it's mold and mildew resistant polyester, the mylar NASA (bubble) insulation I got form HD or Lowes, 4' width., cleaned the surface of the top with lacquer thinner, gluedup the mylar insulation with polyurethane adhesive, applied 3M90 liberally to both surfaces and glued the headliner on. The latch hardware fits over this, sealed the bolts with RTV, snug but fits back on. The foldout upper bunk just clears but no problem, really. Should help keep cooler in summer, hold the heat in winter and gives the top much needed insulation and sound abatement...you don't have to go this far, this is what OCD will make you do..the possum likes it.

Tue Nov 12, 2013 11:22 pm

Here is a GoWesty library tech article about pop-top restoration: http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=1364

Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:57 am

Oldhuldy67
I am considering the same approach and wonder how this has held up, and if you would do anything differently.

Why not use the super90 adhesive to adhere the foam to the fiberglass?

Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:55 am

JEL91WESTY that would have been a better choice, but it has held up well.
Sorry for the delay. All the best to you and your build.

Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:05 pm

What did you find was a good technique for removing the flocking?

Thanks.

Sun Jan 31, 2021 6:28 pm

Bulli Klinik wrote: What did you find was a good technique for removing the flocking?

Thanks.

I found that a large blade type scraper was best, for the more stubborn areas I soaked these with acetone for about 5 mins and then used the blade to scrape of the sludge. I covered this on page 3 of my build log

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=40

I finally got around to re-covering the inside of the pop top about 2 weeks ago, for this I used a good quality marine grade headliner. You don’t want to use anything too thick otherwise it will could the pop top latch and the bolts that hold down skylight, lift arms etc will be too short. The marine headliner offered a good balance for thickness/insulation, and tolerance to a potential moist environment.

Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:58 pm

Thanks for the reply. I'm about to dive into my pop-top. I can't stand that flocking material. I was thinking of installing a preforated headliner material used in early Buses, Beetles, etc...

Tue Feb 02, 2021 2:22 pm

I also couldn't stand the flocking, no matter how much I cleaned it, it still got moldy after every winter. so this summer I attacked the pop top. cleaned, 3 coats or pre-kote, 5 coats of brightside. removed old flocking with a 1/2 gallon of acetone, used a marine contact adhesive for the polypropylene hull liner material. I purchased mine through Albright Supply - Can't recommend them enough, great people, good products, price and shipping. Polypro hull liner is mold and mildew resistant. I am sure the through cleaning and multi layers of paint are helping with condensation too. a couple of tips, don't get any paint or primer on the top where you are going to spray adhesive, the adhesive and paint don't mix and the paint will lift. Heat a punch with a torch to make your bolt penetrations, don't try to drill the material.

Heated brass tube used for penetrations:

Tue Feb 02, 2021 3:10 pm

FWIW I have always found that 3M Super90 does not like hot environments. Every time I have used it in a car or the bus it eventually failed. YMMV.

Tue Feb 02, 2021 3:13 pm

Leather

Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:43 pm

Franklinstower
GREAT job..

Tue Feb 02, 2021 6:15 pm

all written up here w link to where to buy and colors, I use spray 90, no failures if done properly

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Tue Feb 02, 2021 7:21 pm

So what is the key to getting the Super 90 to hold up to the heat?

OP - what marine contact adhesive did you use?

Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:36 pm

I've found 3M 74 foam fast to hold up the best on interior stuff. The only problem I have had is that it is so strong you will tear the carpet before the bond breaks if you ever have to lift a section up for some reason. That looks great Puch finnland

Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:51 pm

I think I used 3m Super Trim Adhesive as recommended by the hull liner suplier.

Wed Feb 03, 2021 4:06 pm

I used the gel like paint stripper to remove my flocking. I brushed it on kind of heavy, went away for a little at it all was pretty much bubbled up. I used a plastic spackle blade with no effort to remove the mess. I'd say that did about 95% of the roof. Some small spots took another coat of stripper and some more effort. Afterwards I used acetone to wipe it down.