Headliners, Easy Install v. Original Style

das64bug · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 92

Hey guyes.
I searched and could find anything on the subject of an easy install headliner vs. an original style healiner.
My bug is a 64 hardtop. I plan on doing the healiner myself.
Any thoughts on which style to go with? i am guessing the easy install will be easier to install. Wink

the bug will be a respectable daily driver. no show quality is necessary

thanks
Nathan
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Glenn · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:05 pm Post subject:

I did one once... never again.

It's just not my thing.

good luck and take your time.
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gerg · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

Bought the good juan from Lenny and plan to pay to have it put in.

That has disaster written all over it if I try it . . .
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tim925 · Samba Member Joined: October 12, 2008 Posts: 80

I tried real hard to do everything right with an easy install. My door posts had some wrinkles in it. I padded where I could and glued the best I could.

It's still not bad but not perfect. I have two areas I don't like. One is the passenger side between the rear side window and the rear window. A couple of wrinkles developed as glue let loose (about a year later). Another area is around the door light. I think I had things too tight there and the glue let loose there too. Not bad but not tucked perfectly.

A lot of people tell me, gee that's a nice car, I figure they don't see the stuff I see.

I'd say do it and live with it. I'm glad I did mine.

doggawn · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

I'm trying to installed an original style. 9 pieces in total. I thought it would be easier to deal with in seperate peices rather than one huge piece.
It's not an easy job but not something that can't be done. Mine has a few wrinkles also but it looks good for my first time.
Always better to do the work yourself no matter.

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

Harris · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject: Headliner

Harris · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject: Headliner

Meant to mention this.

Doggawn.

You have done well on your liner. Really looks nice. The windlass looks perfect. Have you put the top in yet?

lou

AlteWagen · Troll Joined: February 23, 2007 Posts: 8697 Location: PNW

Is it true you can just shoot a little heat on the wrinkles and they shrink out? I know not to use too much but anyone tried it??

Harris · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:51 am Post subject: Headliner

derluftwagen,

Your right.

I have an old video showing the use of a hairdryer to smooth out the wrinkles. This works I think best on vinyl. I've tried steam on cloth and it's not too effective.

drscope · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:31 am Post subject:

I don't use a heat gun for the headliners. I use a check book or credit card and pay someone else to do it.

This is a job you need a lot of patience for and I just don't have enough. Plus the guys who do this all day everyday know all the little tricks to have it come out looking just great.

I just couldn't take getting in the car everytime and seeing a mistake on the head liner if I did it myself. If someone else did it, I can take it back.
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vdubmyk · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:41 am Post subject: Headliner

X2!!!!!!! I haven't had to do mine yet but would much rather have a shop install it and all the windows with the trim at the same time. It will look better and less of a headache if it isn't perfect. I can build an engine but damned if I can't install a headliner.
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outoftheoffice · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:09 am Post subject:

Wood slats, fit them in there tight and no rattles. But it's not quite the original look

Harris · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:14 am Post subject: Headliner

I understand letting a shop do it. That was my first choice, but unfortunately after looking at the shop work here in Dallas it came down to me. I did make mistakes on the first one which was worse than a shop would do, but I far surpassed them after that. Cost wise I'm way ahead. Mentally I'm not so sure, but I'm happy with the results.

A close quote by John S. Henry keeps me doing things myself.

Sometimes you can just give up and pay someone to do the job for you, but as is very often the case with old Beetles, you probably know more about the situation/problem at hand than anybody you could ever find to hire. Beetles are fading away, and so is the available pool of expertise. We are the only ones who can gather up that expertise and keep these cars going, no one else, no matter what you pay them, cares to. Acquiring this expertise comes at cost many times, broken parts, missing skin, time away from family, doubts about your ability and complete frustration, but once you have it, you own it.

das64bug · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 92

[quote="Harris
I don't know of any easy install headliner, but if your going to do it yourself go the original route.

[/quote]

http://www.jbugs.com/category/10145.html[url]
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Third Generation VW Bug Owner

VWwerks · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject:

Installing a headliner is, to me, the the worst job to do on a VW, by far... I vote, 'easy install", that is paying someone else to install the original style.
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das64bug · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 92

well how much does an average headliner install cost and where would i go about finding somebody to do it?
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dlxcoupe · Samba Member Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 941

I had a shop do mine - when done he said, never again probably 3 times.

doggawn · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks Harris! I don't have the top piece in yet. Hopefully in the next few weeks. It's hard to find long lengths of time to work on it with work, kids activities, other things going on. It's gettin there though!
I loved your quote by John S.Henry.
Anybody can buy perfection with a credit card, cheak book, or cash. In fact you could buy a complete, restored, perfect, don't have to do a dang thing, top of the line bug. But what fun or pride is in that.
The fun is the adventure of tackling a task you never done before perfect or not. So unless your building a $40,000 show car thats never driven give it a shot.

Harris · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject: Headliner

vdubmyk Wrote:

shano63 · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject:

Mine is "original" style. I did it myself, minus the back window. I ruined three pieces of material before I gave up. The rest wasn't that bad. I made a few mistakes, hid most of them. plus I can say I did it.

My big mistake, cut the corner too short. Speaker tray took care of that.

A little patience and a lot of time is all you need. Good luck!
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