TheSamba.com :: View topic - Headliner installment, plastic strips and glue?

Tue Apr 15, 2025 4:21 am

Hi All,

At this moment I'm installing a mohair headliner from WW in my '58 splitbus.

I've read (almost) all topics about installing the headliner (which helped a lot), but still have some questions.

Some progress..
Started of with the window surrounds/vertical panels.
A lot of work, but happy with the results. I used 3M 90 glue in a spray can which seems to work pretty nice.

Now onto the main headliner. Started up front. It was a struggle, but just took my time and stopped every time my patience went south. Fitment is ok.

All the way up front I tucked the fabric in, awaiting further progress. I don't want to screw on the triangle pieces before I know the headliner sits perfect.

For the rear section, I believe the plastic strips have to be stuffed into the slots under the roof 'gutter'.

Now I don't fully understand. Do I have to apply glue too? Or will the strips be enough to hold it? Especially above the loading doors I cannot imagine the strips will be enough.

And how to stuff them in? Like this

Or this?

Or maybe flip the fabric once more to add tension?
Any tips are welcome, thanks!

Peter

Tue Apr 15, 2025 5:39 am

I am sorry I don’t have anything to contribute to your project but if you would please document your progress. Please share what worked and anything that didn’t but looked like it would. Very daunting project for sure. I’m sure I’m not the only one that could benefit from your experiences.

Tue Apr 15, 2025 7:38 am

Its difficult to explain, but you have to fold those plastic strips (originals were cardboard) inside, so you fold over the headliner cloth edge complete with the strip to the roof side, so its double thickness, then stretch the cloth and this fold and get the plastic strip to hook into the channel holder - the tension of the cloth holds it in place, and the as the strip is 'inside' the headliner due to the fold-over, you can only see the cloth, not any of the strip....

The tension of the cloth, and the restrictive nature of the channel stops the strip from flipping back over/coming unfolded - its locked in the channel.

Re-reading that makes little sense to me :lol: , but that's how its done.... its a simple, but ingenious design actually...

Wed Apr 16, 2025 12:19 am

ted698 wrote: Its difficult to explain, but you have to fold those plastic strips (originals were cardboard) inside, so you fold over the headliner cloth edge complete with the strip to the roof side, so its double thickness, then stretch the cloth and this fold and get the plastic strip to hook into the channel holder - the tension of the cloth holds it in place, and the as the strip is 'inside' the headliner due to the fold-over, you can only see the cloth, not any of the strip....

The tension of the cloth, and the restrictive nature of the channel stops the strip from flipping back over/coming unfolded - its locked in the channel.

Re-reading that makes little sense to me :lol: , but that's how its done.... its a simple, but ingenious design actually...

Thanks for explaining! That makes perfect sense. I'll try and report back.

Tue May 20, 2025 12:29 am

Hi Headliner gurus,

Progress is slow, but we're getting there.
The front part is in and tight like a drum. My arms are sore :lol:

I'm now working at the front above the splitscreen and just wanted to confirm the original finishing of fabric arond the triangles.
In this picture from the gallery, the fabric glued on the traingle in also covering the clamping strip.

Is this how it originally was mounted?

Tue May 20, 2025 2:45 am

That is looking lovely - I do like a wool headliner - superb job :thumbsup: