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ConcreteBalloon
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2008
Posts: 457
Location: Florida
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 Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject: Installing a wood headliner? |
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Has anyone attempted to install a wood headliner, westy style? I've wanted a wood headliner almost as long as a bus, and was wondering if anyone had installed one themselves.
I'd imagine you could use that flexible wood used in many carpentry/home/auto projects. The name escapes me at the moment. but how would you go about attaching it to the roof? Glue?
I'd really like to do something non-permanent, or something that could be removed fairly simply, but not something that could fall off randomly during a drive.
Anyone done this? I'd appreciate some tips! |
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truckersmike
Elder Sambanite
Joined: March 16, 2001
Posts: 2025
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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i just installed a new headliner in my westy pop-top about a month ago. this requires two 5'X5' sheets of 1/8" baltic birch for the entire rear of the bus. the pop-top section was roughly 49"X53". the rear was smaller, ??"X53". after getting the correct measurements, I cut a hole large enough for me to pop through then carefully installed the headliner and positioned it. next i popped through the hole and traced the outline of the pop-top to get the correct size. word of caution, make the corners a little smaller and round them out. this will help hide the edges after installing new molding.
baltic birch is extremely flexible but you still need to be careful. i was able to install and uninstall several times to get my measurements correct.
the panels require nothing to keep them in place as long as you fit them into the channels in the edges of the roof. westfalia inserted thin strips of wood about 2" wide & 1/8" thick (just use some scap) into the channels to prevent the liners from creeping up.
finish the seams with trim for a nice look.
hope i was of some help.
_________________
59 DD panel. Former Romano's TV delivery bus
67 Westy SO-42 pop-t |
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ConcreteBalloon
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2008
Posts: 457
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:47 am Post subject: |
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| AH! I forgot about the lip! that makes things much easier! |
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ConcreteBalloon
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2008
Posts: 457
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Forgot to say thanks!
well, thanks! Now I know how to get my dream headliner! WOOT! and the fact that it doesn't need glue/attachment makes it MUCH better that a standard headliner. |
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rebapuck
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1023
Location: Chapel Hill NC
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:51 am Post subject: |
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I think you were probably thinking "luan". It's the stuff covering hollowcore doors.
_________________
Judy
1966 Camper "Hannah"
1967 SingleCab "Khady" |
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truckersmike
Elder Sambanite
Joined: March 16, 2001
Posts: 2025
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:11 am Post subject: |
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| rebapuck wrote: |
| I think you were probably thinking "luan". It's the stuff covering hollowcore doors. |
nope, it was definitely baltic birch.
_________________
59 DD panel. Former Romano's TV delivery bus
67 Westy SO-42 pop-t |
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peaceful warrior
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2005
Posts: 5274
Location: Taoswest, USA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with Truckers Mike!
I am using 1/8" birch in my 68 Westy (yeah I know wrong forum), but it is easy to work with and holds a clear sealer or stain quite well.
I am building my cabinets out of 1/2" birch ply as well! |
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LAGrunthaner
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007
Posts: 5506
Location: 1st Coast
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:47 am Post subject: |
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| truckersmike wrote: |
i just installed a new headliner in my westy pop-top about a month ago. this requires two 5'X5' sheets of 1/8" baltic birch for the entire rear of the bus. the pop-top section was roughly 49"X53". the rear was smaller, ??"X53". after getting the correct measurements, I cut a hole large enough for me to pop through then carefully installed the headliner and positioned it. next i popped through the hole and traced the outline of the pop-top to get the correct size. word of caution, make the corners a little smaller and round them out. this will help hide the edges after installing new molding.
baltic birch is extremely flexible but you still need to be careful. i was able to install and uninstall several times to get my measurements correct.
the panels require nothing to keep them in place as long as you fit them into the channels in the edges of the roof. westfalia inserted thin strips of wood about 2" wide & 1/8" thick (just use some scap) into the channels to prevent the liners from creeping up.
finish the seams with trim for a nice look.
hope i was of some help. |
truckersmike,
My 67 Westy Pop-Top is completely apart and I have everything, I see the wooden bows still on the roof are they for aid in installation and to keep them in place? I wondered if the wooden headliner is screwed into the bows. I understand my new canvas for the pop-top gets fastened to the bows right?
Thanks Linda
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters 
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
| Lind wrote: |
| Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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sub-hatchtim
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2006
Posts: 2610
Location: Phoenix AZ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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| hey mike where did you find the wood |
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truckersmike
Elder Sambanite
Joined: March 16, 2001
Posts: 2025
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:41 am Post subject: |
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| squareback_fiend wrote: |
| hey mike where did you find the wood |
i got it at a place called woodworkers source but there are a few other places here in phoenix that sell them.
| Quote: |
truckersmike,
My 67 Westy Pop-Top is completely apart and I have everything, I see the wooden bows still on the roof are they for aid in installation and to keep them in place? I wondered if the wooden headliner is screwed into the bows. I understand my new canvas for the pop-top gets fastened to the bows right?
Thanks Linda |
the bows are for the pop-top assembly and have nothing to do with the wooden headliner. westy headliners are only fastened in at the metal bows of the roof where it butts up with another headliner. you can see the trim in one of my pictures that covers where the two headliners meet. other wise, the headliner is kept in place by the pressure of the bent wood and the channels in the roof.
_________________
59 DD panel. Former Romano's TV delivery bus
67 Westy SO-42 pop-t |
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Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5150
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:14 am Post subject: |
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the headliner in my 66 had a few screws that secured the roof wood to the bows. i think there was 3 screws at the rear of the headliner, the headbanger cabinet covered the screws. there was a single screw at the front directly behind the airbox.
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."
Thomas Jefferson |
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sub-hatchtim
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2006
Posts: 2610
Location: Phoenix AZ
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| the headliner inmy sub hatch in the rear had a wooden bow tht screwed into the liner |
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ConcreteBalloon
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2008
Posts: 457
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:34 am Post subject: |
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Hmmm...
I might do some wood bows just for looks... |
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LAGrunthaner
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007
Posts: 5506
Location: 1st Coast
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| truckersmike wrote: |
| squareback_fiend wrote: |
| hey mike where did you find the wood |
i got it at a place called woodworkers source but there are a few other places here in phoenix that sell them.
| Quote: |
truckersmike,
My 67 Westy Pop-Top is completely apart and I have everything, I see the wooden bows still on the roof are they for aid in installation and to keep them in place? I wondered if the wooden headliner is screwed into the bows. I understand my new canvas for the pop-top gets fastened to the bows right?
Thanks Linda |
the bows are for the pop-top assembly and have nothing to do with the wooden headliner. westy headliners are only fastened in at the metal bows of the roof where it butts up with another headliner. you can see the trim in one of my pictures that covers where the two headliners meet. other wise, the headliner is kept in place by the pressure of the bent wood and the channels in the roof. |
Thanks truckersmike,
I better cut that wood right for it to work.
Lin
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
| Lind wrote: |
| Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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Wolffeather
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2004
Posts: 145
Location: Rhododendron, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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I know the 2 panels in the cab are just a very, very tight fit. How do you get them in? Do you slid them in from the back? Do they just slide down those channels? Where can I find a pattern for these?
_________________
'62 Bus named Biscuit
'62 Bus (go-cart) named Baby Biscuit
'57 356 named Wind
'67 Beetle named Blue Bear |
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LAGrunthaner
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007
Posts: 5506
Location: 1st Coast
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Wolffeather wrote: |
| I know the 2 panels in the cab are just a very, very tight fit. How do you get them in? Do you slid them in from the back? Do they just slide down those channels? Where can I find a pattern for these? |
I don't have that one but isn't this nice. I forgot who sent it to me, sorry.
Linda
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
| Lind wrote: |
| Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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Major Woody
Samba Enigma
Joined: December 04, 2002
Posts: 9010
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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My 67 had two or three small oval head screws right through the center of the back piece and into the rearmost bow, where it would be covered by the headbanger cabinet. I am 100% sure they were original. I put them back.
Edit: there is also one very small oval head screw right behind the exit of the fresh air vent. There is a bracket there to receive the screw.
Last edited by Major Woody on Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Clara 
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12399
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| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:42 am Post subject: |
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| Wolffeather wrote: |
| I know the 2 panels in the cab are just a very, very tight fit. How do you get them in? Do you slid them in from the back? Do they just slide down those channels? Where can I find a pattern for these? |
I am making these again.
I installed some the other day, and took some pictures.
Install these before the middle roof panel.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=clara
To get the panel seated right, look for the channel at the outside of the bus, the panels should go between that and the lip towards the inside of the bus.
You can slide it forward, while pushing up in the middle to make the bend. Make sure it stays in the channel at the outside and in the one on the fresh air vent.
Helps to send it in at a slight angle, with the pointy end maybe an inch away from the fresh air vent.
When you can't slide it forwards anymore, use a ~ foot long piece of 2"x4" to spead the impact, and a rubber mallet. One person is behind the bulkhead and taps it forwards while the other person sits in the front seat pushing up. When it is near the very front, tap the outside part of the back, to straighten it out. and keep an eye on the front edge of the panel. It needs to go into the front channel, and may need a little guidance.
Don't smack it too hard, or it'll get a dent.
Pushing up in the middle to help the bend is crucial.
The screws at the back edge have not yet been installed in these pics.
It took maybe ten minutes to install each of these, but I've had practice.
_________________
The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/ |
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LAGrunthaner
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007
Posts: 5506
Location: 1st Coast
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Clara wrote: |
| Wolffeather wrote: |
| I know the 2 panels in the cab are just a very, very tight fit. How do you get them in? Do you slid them in from the back? Do they just slide down those channels? Where can I find a pattern for these? |
I am making these again.
I installed some the other day, and took some pictures.
Install these before the middle roof panel.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=clara
To get the panel seated right, look for the channel at the outside of the bus, the panels should go between that and the lip towards the inside of the bus.
You can slide it forward, while pushing up in the middle to make the bend. Make sure it stays in the channel at the outside and in the one on the fresh air vent.
Helps to send it in at a slight angle, with the pointy end maybe an inch away from the fresh air vent.
When you can't slide it forwards anymore, use a ~ foot long piece of 2"x4" to spead the impact, and a rubber mallet. One person is behind the bulkhead and taps it forwards while the other person sits in the front seat pushing up. When it is near the very front, tap the outside part of the back, to straighten it out. and keep an eye on the front edge of the panel. It needs to go into the front channel, and may need a little guidance.
Don't smack it too hard, or it'll get a dent.
Pushing up in the middle to help the bend is crucial.
The screws at the back edge have not yet been installed in these pics.
It took maybe ten minutes to install each of these, but I've had practice. |
Nice work Clara,
Thanks for the tips too 
Linda
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
| Lind wrote: |
| Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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Major Woody
Samba Enigma
Joined: December 04, 2002
Posts: 9010
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:58 am Post subject: |
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I have one more tip to add. (If you're not real picky, stop reading)
On poptop westies, the headliner panel will not follow the curvature of the roof on either side of the large hole for the poptop. It flattens out and looks bad (to me).
Using a paperboard template to match the curvature of the existing ones, I made two additional bow pieces out of oak, and installed them, one centered on either side of the poptop hole, adhering them to the roof skin with polyurethane construction adhesive.
After the adhesive dried, I then put the headliner piece into place, pried it down in the area where the new bows are, and squirted in a big blob of adhesive to bond the headliner to the bow. I made a padded brace to press upward on the ceiling in that spot, forcing the headliner board to curve against the new bow, and left it that way for two days to cure. Then I did the other side the same way. Now the headliner follows the curve of the roof consistently from front to back, and looks much better. Do not adhere the headliner to the framework that goes around the roof opening. That will be pulled tight by the screws that hold the poptop lift assembly in place. |
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