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Peter_N Samba Member

Joined: February 19, 2014 Posts: 331 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 4:21 am Post subject: Headliner installment, plastic strips and glue? |
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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 _________________ My 1958 PGSG project topic |
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pondoras box Samba Member

Joined: March 22, 2004 Posts: 1492 Location: Eerie PA
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Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 5:39 am Post subject: Re: Headliner installment, plastic strips and glue? |
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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. _________________ Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk |
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ted698 Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2016 Posts: 132 Location: Shropshire, UK
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Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 7:38 am Post subject: Re: Headliner installment, plastic strips and glue? |
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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 , but that's how its done.... its a simple, but ingenious design actually... |
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Peter_N Samba Member

Joined: February 19, 2014 Posts: 331 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 12:19 am Post subject: Re: Headliner installment, plastic strips and glue? |
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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 , 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. _________________ My 1958 PGSG project topic |
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Peter_N Samba Member

Joined: February 19, 2014 Posts: 331 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 12:29 am Post subject: Re: Headliner installment, plastic strips and glue? |
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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
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? _________________ My 1958 PGSG project topic |
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ted698 Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2016 Posts: 132 Location: Shropshire, UK
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 2:45 am Post subject: Re: Headliner installment, plastic strips and glue? |
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That is looking lovely - I do like a wool headliner - superb job  |
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