Buying a new headliner today, any good advice?

hobbybob517

Getting a white TMI headliner today, 6 new bows and the sound insulation.

anyone got any good pointers for me?

got the old one out, popped the windows and got some spray glue.
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webdawg · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:34 am Post subject:

Getting ready to do mine also. Make sure you have new tips for your bows. Post some pics when you're done/

gtodude2 · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:03 am Post subject:

Do you guys have the 1 piece headliner or the original style headliner? I just did my 69 headliner with the 1 piece and it turned out good, but was not much fun at all. I enlisted the help of my wife, the perfectionist and after 3 hours or so we had it done.

It looks good but I'm not real picky and it didn't need to be perfect. Make sure you have a hairdryer handy to help with softening the headliner for stretching and getting the wrinkles out.
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smokey503 · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:58 am Post subject:

The only snag I ran into was the "Cardboard Trick" which is where you take a about a 3/4 inch strip of cardboard. This goes on the tabs that you pull back at the top above the door.
You bend the tabs down glue the cardboard onto the tabs, then the headliner. Once it dries you bend the tabs back up to the roof area. This is what tightens the headliner across the car.

Hope that made sense.
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rlutterb · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:48 pm Post subject:

there is a jbugs headliner installation video that is very helpful.
pick a warm day, take out the windows, and don't be afraid to pull and stretch to the point you think it's gonna rip!
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hobbybob517 · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject:

jwold · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:21 pm Post subject:

Get a hairdryer or a heat gun. Accept no wrinkes! I have the aforementioned jbugs video...somewhere...I can't find it...(much to smokey503's chagrin!) I used the paint on type glue...seemed to me to be a little more strong than just spray on stuff.
It was helpful, take your time. Lots of install tips on the samba, get some good binder clips.

Accept NO wrinkles...keep pulling and stretching...you can make it smooth!

webdawg · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:41 pm Post subject:

I bought the original from JBug's, but I'm gonna have a local upholstery guy do it. Headliner is too important and I've never done one. Smile

webdawg · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject:

Got my headliner installed today.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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gtodude2 · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 4:55 am Post subject:

Lookin good! The headliner was the single biggest pain in the a$$ when I restored my 69. Welcome to the new headliner club!!!
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Preserving history one piece at a time!

NCdad · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 5:40 am Post subject:

just take your time...
I used the 3M can glue and used a small paint brush with it for window areas and the door areas, used spray glue on roof area.

also the notebook clips work good too to allow the window areas to dry good.

Hairdryer is a big help.

WATCH the relief cuts around the windows, to much of a cut will show.
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hobbybob517 · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 12:36 am Post subject:

Hophead · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 1:27 am Post subject:

Cadaver · Samba Member Joined: April 24, 2012 Posts: 2338

im collecting info on this topic now for mine.
my local vw expert ,retired and refuses this work now, sady.

he had 2 tips, ( sure those paper ream clips are great)
1: bows.
he said to measure the orig. top bow to vinyl bow pockets off- sets value.
then, make the new top the same offset (top to bottom of bow). (hard to explain) he said this is a very unknown trick.

2: the newer bugs, have these long metal and side notched, runners
he opened a closet and had 25+ in there and gave me 2 for free.
they go in the front top and rear top windows., to hold the liner in place after gluing. ( a factory tool and on new bugs stay on the bug) (not on 6 Cool

get the top warm and keep it flat after warming it.
do not install a dead cold top.
how you do that , is your call. (park in the sun, put the top in the sun)
now do it.

3: all windows in body removed (doors are not a body) obvious but is a step.

for me the cardboard trick? is unknown, links?

for me how to get the plastic trim off the rear of body door frame "B pillar" , is perplexing. it is very tight.

if i can get my top liner in, i can put in windows, if i get windows, i can drive to inspection station (my electrics are perfect)

the real questions are this, (my ignorance)
do you start F > rear , R > F or side <> side first stretching gluing and clamping (sure bows are first) as is rubber tips for bows. no squeaks.

side poster, comments on door cars is wild, the door cards just snap in, and if you drive in the rain, you need door card condoms, your call.
but you can spray the cards with water proofing too. or rhinoliner, or undercoating, or?
my car is a dry day car, and my body drains are free. 100% for sure.

happy tails. ( sun belt lover)
PS:
keep the ideas coming on this very hard job. ( fiddly to infinity)
sure patience and repeats will bring success, no wrinkles goal.
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