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Questions about sunroof headliner installation
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Woreign
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 4:06 pm    Post subject: Questions about sunroof headliner installation Reply with quote

I'm going to attempt to install a new headliner in my sunroof Notch. Before I begin, I have a few questions:

- Does the pillar material get installed first and then the headliner over-laps it?

- Do you cut the sunroof opening after securing the perimeter of the headliner?

- Any other tips before I begin? Other than take it to an upholsterer...
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've never done it. I've never even watched it done. But I imagine you attach the perimeter, then cut out (like with other window openings), then use spare material to cover the sliding panel.

But don't listen to me, I don't know $hit about this! I've done bug sections but the T3 and sunroof are beyond my meager skills.
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Erik G
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All I can say is that the sunroof notch that I was looking at had a fresh headliner done at Koch's. it's how my friend that works there remembered the car, the headliner was a b*tch to do because of the sunroof.

If one of the top guys in the hobby says that, at one of the best resto shops, then I'm out. Good luck sir, please report back on how it goes
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Intrinsic
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Our headliner kit came with a separate panel for the sunroof cover panel.
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Bobnotch
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 7:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Erik G wrote:
All I can say is that the sunroof notch that I was looking at had a fresh headliner done at Koch's. it's how my friend that works there remembered the car, the headliner was a b*tch to do because of the sunroof.

If one of the top guys in the hobby says that, at one of the best resto shops, then I'm out. Good luck sir, please report back on how it goes


I've tried it before (a couple of times), but I just can't get the results I'm really after. I don't know if it's my lack of experience, or the kit I'm using. But, I'd rather do anything else on the car but a headliner. Shocked It's a royal PIA job to do, you really need 2 people (and 6 extra hands), and trying to find the "right" glue is what really finishes it off for me. Yes, you can raid the office supply cabinet for clamps, that's only part of the job. Granted Mark (W1K1) made it look easy with all those clamps, but he also had a bunch of time in it, and he didn't have a sunroof. Shocked I'm not saying don't try it, but keep in mind your end result. Think
Just my take on it. YMMV and all that crap. Wink
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Tram
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Start at the headliner opening and work your way out. A hairdryer is your friend- or an electric heater in the car to keep the vinyl very warm (don't start a fire, though). You're going to have wrinkles in the material, but just work with it and remember that minor wrinkles in heated (but not melted) headliner material will shrink in.

Headliner opening, then windshield, then door openings with the front bows installed, then work your way back. Trimming is the LAST thing you do. Don't cut now and regret later.

If your pillar coverings are separate, glue those in place first and then tuck (fold under) your headliner over it where it meets the pillar pieces.

Hope this helps you at least get started.
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Woreign
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ummm, there's no opening in the headliner? If you mean where the sunroof will be, you have to cut it open...

I have it clipped in place around all the edges, and it looks like I will be able to draw the center up to the sunroof opening without any problems. I started gluing at the rear and sides while working toward the rear corners, as W1K1 suggested. It might be important to note that bow closest to the sunroof uses clips that are longer than the standard ones. I suppose that this is to ensure that the headliner clears the bottom of the sunroof compartment.

I'm going to pick up a space heater to help make the rest of the installation easier. The almost 65-70 degree weather here in Florida may not quite be warm enough!
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Aaron M265
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What Tram said and when I did my 911 with sunroof, I used a truck load of bulldog / foldover clips to get everything where I wanted it before the glue etc got applied - put them in the window openings etc to confirm you have it all square etc.

I 'borrowed' them from where I was working then returned them when I was done.
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Tram
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Woreign wrote:
Ummm, there's no opening in the headliner? If you mean where the sunroof will be, you have to cut it open...

I have it clipped in place around all the edges, and it looks like I will be able to draw the center up to the sunroof opening without any problems. I started gluing at the rear and sides while working toward the rear corners, as W1K1 suggested. It might be important to note that bow closest to the sunroof uses clips that are longer than the standard ones. I suppose that this is to ensure that the headliner clears the bottom of the sunroof compartment.

I'm going to pick up a space heater to help make the rest of the installation easier. The almost 65-70 degree weather here in Florida may not quite be warm enough!


Wow... you have to make your own opening now? I'm out.

That sucks.
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W1K1
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the space heater makes the vinyl much more pliable, than room temperature Dancing
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Woreign
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So far installation is going well. I hit a snag when I cut the opening for the interior light: right in the middle is a stitch, which promptly started to un-stitch. Some carpet thread has stopped it, but it makes for a non-perfect install. Mad

Since it's no longer perfect, I can relax a little as I finish, right?
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Tram
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Woreign wrote:
So far installation is going well. I hit a snag when I cut the opening for the interior light: right in the middle is a stitch, which promptly started to un-stitch. Some carpet thread has stopped it, but it makes for a non-perfect install. Mad

Since it's no longer perfect, I can relax a little as I finish, right?


Sure, you let the demons out. Laughing
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Erik G
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 7:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yep. and if you do it over you will still be way ahead compared to what you would have paid. Kudos
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Woreign
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm finding the post material to be more difficult to install than the headliner!
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Bobnotch
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Woreign wrote:
I'm finding the post material to be more difficult to install than the headliner!


That sounds about right. Shocked Mostly around the lower part of the windows too, because of the padding, and curves, it won't lay right. This is where you have to snip lightly, and glue a lot. Rolling Eyes
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Tram wrote:
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Tram wrote:
People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed".
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Woreign
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A bit of a set-back today...

It was finally time to re-install the sunroof. Everything was going fine until I attempted to adjust the cables to close properly. Every time I tried to close it, it would stop short. Remove the gear, slide the panel, re-install the gear. Slowly I would get closer and closer, but it still wouldn't close. I worked on this for a good hour at least until I noticed that the crank stopped spinning without the gear in place. WTH!? I didn't know that the crank box, if that's what you call it, had an upper and lower limit.

So after after "adjusting" the crank box, I was able to close the sunroof. Time for the "Happy Dance"!

But when I went to open the roof, the gear cover popped off the gear! During all the many, many gear removal and adjustments, I left the screws out to make getting at the gear easier. Now the roof is closed but cannot be opened!

The only way to open the roof was to cut the fabric on the panel cover in order to get to the release pins! This of course has put me in a very sour mood. Now I need to order a new panel. And when it arrives, remove the entire sunroof assembly to replace it. All because of the stupid crank box!
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