Headlining options
Discussion
Following on from my "original or modded" thread, although I wasn't sure whether this should be here or in "Bodywork & Detailing" though.
Fairly rare but not especially valuable 1970's glass fibre bodied car, headlining in tatters, as are carpets, the rest of the interior needs work..
To do it right needs the glass taking out. It's been out before by previous owner but there's always the risk of breakage and apparently because of the lack of rigidity in the fibreglass roof the glass is difficult to replace.
I redid my Lotus Excel but that has cant rails etc to secure/cover everything at the edges so no glass removal.
Any suggestions for a roof material and/or method of attaching that would look 1970's but would work neatly without removing the glass. There's a sliding "Webasto" type sunroof which would support the centre.
Car has some other mods so originality has already been lost.
Thanks. This could turn into a" lets see your headlinings" thread!
Fairly rare but not especially valuable 1970's glass fibre bodied car, headlining in tatters, as are carpets, the rest of the interior needs work..
To do it right needs the glass taking out. It's been out before by previous owner but there's always the risk of breakage and apparently because of the lack of rigidity in the fibreglass roof the glass is difficult to replace.
I redid my Lotus Excel but that has cant rails etc to secure/cover everything at the edges so no glass removal.
Any suggestions for a roof material and/or method of attaching that would look 1970's but would work neatly without removing the glass. There's a sliding "Webasto" type sunroof which would support the centre.
Car has some other mods so originality has already been lost.
Thanks. This could turn into a" lets see your headlinings" thread!
www.martrim.co.uk
Used one of their headlining kits for my Classic Range Rover. They also do an aerosol of high temperature resistant adhesive for the job.
The glue is instant grab and there is NO chance of moving or removing the material.
If you do glue, then be sure any old foam backing left on the roof is removed - it's that that fails on Range Rover headlinings giving the saggy Bedouin tent effect.
Used one of their headlining kits for my Classic Range Rover. They also do an aerosol of high temperature resistant adhesive for the job.
The glue is instant grab and there is NO chance of moving or removing the material.
If you do glue, then be sure any old foam backing left on the roof is removed - it's that that fails on Range Rover headlinings giving the saggy Bedouin tent effect.
Skyedriver said:
Following on from my "original or modded" thread, although I wasn't sure whether this should be here or in "Bodywork & Detailing" though.
Fairly rare but not especially valuable 1970's glass fibre bodied car, headlining in tatters, as are carpets, the rest of the interior needs work..
To do it right needs the glass taking out. It's been out before by previous owner but there's always the risk of breakage and apparently because of the lack of rigidity in the fibreglass roof the glass is difficult to replace.
I redid my Lotus Excel but that has cant rails etc to secure/cover everything at the edges so no glass removal.
Any suggestions for a roof material and/or method of attaching that would look 1970's but would work neatly without removing the glass. There's a sliding "Webasto" type sunroof which would support the centre.
Car has some other mods so originality has already been lost.
Thanks. This could turn into a" lets see your headlinings" thread!
Many moons ago I replaced the roof cloth on my AC Greyhound with a roll of Western England cloth this was glued to some thin foam as per the original and then offered up with glue that did not instantly set, so any creases etc. could be dealt with. I did however require help as this is a two person job. Provided you do not take the foam to the very edge you can lift the windscreen and rear window rubbers with a suitable tool and slot the cloth behind the rubber.Fairly rare but not especially valuable 1970's glass fibre bodied car, headlining in tatters, as are carpets, the rest of the interior needs work..
To do it right needs the glass taking out. It's been out before by previous owner but there's always the risk of breakage and apparently because of the lack of rigidity in the fibreglass roof the glass is difficult to replace.
I redid my Lotus Excel but that has cant rails etc to secure/cover everything at the edges so no glass removal.
Any suggestions for a roof material and/or method of attaching that would look 1970's but would work neatly without removing the glass. There's a sliding "Webasto" type sunroof which would support the centre.
Car has some other mods so originality has already been lost.
Thanks. This could turn into a" lets see your headlinings" thread!
cjb44 said:
Many moons ago I replaced the roof cloth on my AC Greyhound with a roll of Western England cloth this was glued to some thin foam as per the original and then offered up with glue that did not instantly set, so any creases etc. could be dealt with. I did however require help as this is a two person job. Provided you do not take the foam to the very edge you can lift the windscreen and rear window rubbers with a suitable tool and slot the cloth behind the rubber.
That sounds very similar material to what Lotus used in the Excel and other models of that era.Time goes by and the foam debonds and disintegrate and the headlining lands on your head along with a lot of powdered foam.
ps AC Greyhound - beautiful car overshadowed by it's more sporting brother. My favourite is the Aceca though
Skyedriver said:
That sounds very similar material to what Lotus used in the Excel and other models of that era.
Time goes by and the foam debonds and disintegrate and the headlining lands on your head along with a lot of powdered foam.
ps AC Greyhound - beautiful car overshadowed by it's more sporting brother. My favourite is the Aceca though
I have had both and yes the Aceca is a nice car and handles well. The Greyhound with its independent suspension on the rear did not handle correctly, but with some not too expensive tweaks carried out by the factory, the suspension was eventually made to perform in a far better manner and became a very acceptable quick and flexible tourer with the 2.2 Bristol engine and overdrive. Incidentally, the rear seats were quite capacious compared with most 2 + 2 cars of the day and handled my young family at that time. Time goes by and the foam debonds and disintegrate and the headlining lands on your head along with a lot of powdered foam.
ps AC Greyhound - beautiful car overshadowed by it's more sporting brother. My favourite is the Aceca though
Skyedriver said:
cjb44 said:
Many moons ago I replaced the roof cloth on my AC Greyhound with a roll of Western England cloth this was glued to some thin foam as per the original and then offered up with glue that did not instantly set, so any creases etc. could be dealt with. I did however require help as this is a two person job. Provided you do not take the foam to the very edge you can lift the windscreen and rear window rubbers with a suitable tool and slot the cloth behind the rubber.
That sounds very similar material to what Lotus used in the Excel and other models of that era.Time goes by and the foam debonds and disintegrate and the headlining lands on your head along with a lot of powdered foam.
ps AC Greyhound - beautiful car overshadowed by it's more sporting brother. My favourite is the Aceca though
Rather than 'glue' (spray, whatever) the new roof lining up, I had some simple seams stitched in across the width. Put the 'old' roof rail bars through and the ends slot in the roof gutter sides. Front and rear fit under the screen rubbers. Bingo!
Mind you, as I found out over the years this does not stop the foam again disintegrating with time!
But 'rails' make the roof lining look so much better. I think old Minis used this too.
Not my car, but to give idea.
dandarez said:
disintegrating headlining foam, been there a few times on grp cars. Here's a trick if the car doesn't have to be totally 'original' (and I like originality to the point my car still has it's original Lucas dynamo - stamped 1967). I had dismantled an old Hillman Hunter to nick its engine and parts (we're talking long time ago, so I'm thinking it was the Hunter, might have been some other car) and noting the roof lining was held by 'bars' I kept them as 'something useful'.
Rather than 'glue' (spray, whatever) the new roof lining up, I had some simple seams stitched in across the width. Put the 'old' roof rail bars through and the ends slot in the roof gutter sides. Front and rear fit under the screen rubbers. Bingo!
Mind you, as I found out over the years this does not stop the foam again disintegrating with time!
But 'rails' make the roof lining look so much better. I think old Minis used this too.
Not my car, but to give idea.
"Back in the day" most cars had the headlining supported by steel wire supports. As does this car as it happens. Or at least should have but it's got a great big Webasto type sunroof and the supports are long gone. Looks like at the moment anyway I'm going to pass on the car (unless the situation changes) but what I was really trying to avoid was removing front & rear screens. Had an idea to get around it but all in abeyance now.Rather than 'glue' (spray, whatever) the new roof lining up, I had some simple seams stitched in across the width. Put the 'old' roof rail bars through and the ends slot in the roof gutter sides. Front and rear fit under the screen rubbers. Bingo!
Mind you, as I found out over the years this does not stop the foam again disintegrating with time!
But 'rails' make the roof lining look so much better. I think old Minis used this too.
Not my car, but to give idea.
Skyedriver said:
"Back in the day" most cars had the headlining supported by steel wire supports. As does this car as it happens. Or at least should have but it's got a great big Webasto type sunroof and the supports are long gone. Looks like at the moment anyway I'm going to pass on the car (unless the situation changes) but what I was really trying to avoid was removing front & rear screens. Had an idea to get around it but all in abeyance now.
Glass out and lots of bulldog clips, heat, stretch, then heat a stretch again was the only way that worked for me - years later was still tight as a drum 
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