Headliner center section

[Danpa]

I'm installing a center section only headliner in my 70 sedan, the kind found in late model 1200s in Europe. It seems like TMI might have made it too short, front to back.
I know it's basically the same as an earlier beetle with the multiple section headliner.
Here's my question:
When it's installed with only the one end left, how much more does it have to be stretched to engage on the ridge on the roof inside edge?
Mine needs to be pulled another 3/4 - 1" on each side above the doors. And the cardboard sewn around the perimeter doesn't allow it to stretch, not much anyway.
I wouldn't think it would be that much, but I could be wrong.

My headliner looks like this, (not my car, mines white)

Thanks,
Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle, Finally back on the road after 18 years!

[matthew henricks]

While i can't help with your specific headliner i installed a TMI three piece headliner in my 64 a few summers ago and the length (front to rear) felt short to me.

It took all i had to get the carboard inserts to get up and over the clips. I started at the rear and was working outside on a very hot day to give as much heat to relax the material.

IMO what saved me was my sunroof. Once i cut that out it relieved the stress and i was able to make it work. You don't have that option but i can confirm it was VERY tight.

Good luck!
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1964 Original Owner build Thread. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=702135&highlight=

Ambulance Fan's. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=627707&highlight=

Parts i am looking for:
64 bug nice used front/rear Black LHD floor mat.

[zerotofifty]

If you heat the headliner, it will stretch MUCH easier. (*assuming it is a plastic headliner, i.e. Vinyl). Cotton headliners dont respond to heat like this.

Put a heater aimed at headliner, or if it is hot sunny weather, put the car with headliner, or headliner in the sun for a long time, maybe with a heater too.

Heat lamps work very well for heat, as do reflector flood lights. Just dont over heat and melt or singe the fabric. Heat will soften it and allow more stretch! Try to heat the entire headliner, dont spot heat it only.

Use the heater lamps during install as the headliner tends to cool off quickly, so you need to keep the heat on during install time for best stretch towards the end of the job.
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Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[Danpa]

Thanks! I'll try the "sitting the car" outside in the sun. Too bad I didn't try it last week, it was in the 90's.
Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle, Finally back on the road after 18 years!

[Danpa]

Well, I got it real warm inside and no luck. The cardboard sewn around the edge is just too short, front to back.
Contacted TMI, sent numerous photos, waiting to hear back.
Hopefully I can get this resolved....

Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle, Finally back on the road after 18 years!