[Dubz]

In my 74 Ford Gran Torino my headliner is currently a cloth type with ribs holding it tight, will there be a solid headliner underneath?? i'm wanting to flame the headliner as found in past posts....but kinda hit a snag with this problem

is there anyway i can make a hard-bodied headliner if there isn't one?

Thanks a bunch

[horvath]

You *could* make your own panel and glue it in after covering it. Get a copy of Custom Auto Interiors - it'll explain HOW :
Click Here

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

[Dubz]

allright, ordered my copy today

[horvath]

Cool!

I just finished reading mine the first time through, and it excites me no end! I never knew you could do so much custom shaping to an interior until I read this book!


I also bought "Automotive Upholstery Handbook" with it :
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

This one covers all the basics of doing upholstery projects ... what sewing machines are best and why ... all the different tools involved, etc. -- If you really want to get into interiors, these are the 2 to start learning by.

Good luck, Dubz!

Alan

[Dragon J]

Dubz- I have the cloth liner with ribs and I put a flamed insert by making it out of eighth-inch masonite, covering with light foam and tweed, then attaching with velcro. It comes from the overhead stereo and goes back to where the dome light would have been. I'll send a pic if you are interested- let me know.

[Stinkin_V8]

Hey Alan - glad to see you like the book as much as I do! The book was written a couple of years ago, and the use of the coardboard really made me curious.

Cardboard being something that could really get messed up if it got wet (which would be pretty rare), I wonder if the same theories would apply to some more modern/durable/waterproof materials.

I just did the headliner in my 'Burb, just like the headliner in your pickup only longer. I used 1/8" plastic wallboard, just traced the pattern from the old cardboard ones and cut it out. It popped right into place as easy as the original-style cardboard would have. The only problem is that it's white and will need to be painted or upholstered. I'm planning on using the original bows, but it could easily be made into a one piece unit. I only have two panels in so far, but here's a shot of the front panel in place:



This stuff can be glued so that it's tension will hold the curve the same way the carboard does. It can be sanded as well, and formed with a heat gun. I even "welded" a couple of scrap pieces together with my soldering gun. Seems to me that this might be a nice replacement for cardboard. More durable, too. Heck, I'm even using it for molds for some of the fiberglass parts I'm building!

kristkustoms and other upholstery gurus - if you're reading this, do you have any comments?

[ April 10, 2003: Message edited by: Stinkin_V8 ]</p>

[horvath]

Hey, Stinkin_V8

Pretty cool! I'll have to check out that 1/8" plastic wallboard! I've never seen the stuff before, but seems like it's very cool to work with.

The pressboard (I don't like calling it cardboard, cuz that makes me think of the material they use to make boxes) is pretty dense material, but you're right - if it got wet enough it could swell, whereas the plastic wallboard is ... well ... plastic!


Usually, however, the pressboard is only used to make a template for 1/8" paneling (wood), and the paneling is then padded, covered and installed. My only concern about the plastic wallboard is whether or not it's gonna hold the contact cement as well as wood (which is a lot more porous) when you're adhering the foam padding.

PS - Nice job on yer headliner, bro'!

Alan

[ April 10, 2003: Message edited by: horvath ]</p>

[Stinkin_V8]

Alan - check out Lowes or Home Depot for the wallboard. We were talking about it in this forum some time ago. I think I'm going to hit the edges with the router, just to make them a little thinner. As it is, they fit perfectly into the bows right now, the extra thickness of the foam and fabric will make it pretty tough to squeeze into the slots in the bows.

As far as glueing goes, I would be pretty confident with the right kind of glue, I think.

[horvath]

I think you're right about the glue, bro' ... and I'd hit the edges with the router, like you're saying. Plus, I would also keep the foam 3/8" - 1/2" away from the edges so you only have the material over the plastic. If you cut a nice line on the foam, it'll give a cool sculpted look to the material when you glue it down and you'll be able to tuck the whole thing in nicely.


Alan

[cuztomcarbuilder]

This may seem a little crazy but...I made a fiberglass headliner for a project car that I am working on. I took a mold off the top of the car and trimmed it down to go inside the car. You can see the pics here...

http://www.carolinarodshop.com/Proje...evy_ness_4.htm

Go to page 5 as well... When you get ready to cover it you can add foam with designs. This can be done with a painted car but it is very risky. This is better done on a car in fabrication process.

Just my 2 cents!

[Dubz]

wow, blast from the past.

still havn't got my book

and i'd love to see pictures, pictures are allways good