About to install a new headliner in a 930. Question.

I was just wondering how this is accomplished. Do you need to remove all of the interior rubber seals? What about the leather that is glued to the four pillars (left/right of windshield, left/right of rear quarter windows)?

Thanks in advance.

I don't know if this applies to your situation but I had a new headliner put in when my car was down for the repaint. I can't immagine doing this without removing the windsheild and all the inner trim. If anyone has done this without removing everything I'd sure like to know how.

On my early 911, front and rear glass had to come out. Of course, when the previous owner put the headliner in for me, he did this -- and neglected to put the chrome trim back. Now I've got to get all the glass taken out again, to get the trim back. Ugh.

Jack Olsen
73 911T / http://members.rennlist.com/jackolsen/Jalopy.html

It's a 1985 930 and the inside trim is black rubber. I didn't anticipate removing the front and rear glass though. If anyone else can verify this, I would appreciate it.

Hammer,
I've done that drill twice already:
-You have to remove all glasses, i.e. windshield, rear window, rear quarters. The headliner is glued underneath these rubber seals.
-The vinyl or leather lining of the pillars has to be removed as well, at least partially.
- The door seals have to be partially removed as well, because the liner goes under these seals as well.
Does your liner have to be changed? stains can be cleaned easily on these vinyl liners, and a white one can be painted black. It sounds scary but the results are surprising once you let the liner tighten itself after being softened by the solvents in the paint. Of course if there are tears, no go.
BTW, most automobile upholsterers carry the exact stuff of your liner. If you're handy with a sewing machine, it should be MUCH cheaper than buying a complete liner. I did that myself, using the taken out one as atemplate. Cost 1/5 of the factory price.
My $0.02, GeorgeK

Thanks for the reply, that's a big help. Didn't realize it was going to be such a project. My current headliner is ripped so it needs to be replaced. I do have a new headliner ready to be installed, I just didn’t think I would have to pull all the glass, thanks for clarifying that.

I’m in the process of restoring the interior and need to replace the dash which also requires removal of the windshield. I guess I’ll wait until I take on that project to replace the headliner.

Thanks again for the help.

Hammer,
If you remove the dash, I'd suggest you change the pillar covering over to leather. It is not expensive, and it looks a million times better and doesnt crack. Much easier to maintain too. You can find small pieces of leftover leather at an upholsterer shop. Just take the old parts for templates.
I used temperature resistant contact glue to do the job, which is important because of the heat reached in the car in he sun.
Happy motoring, GeorgeK

George

Can you tell me more about painting a white headliner black? What kind of paint do you use? How is it done? Can you also paint the dash and other vinyl pieces?

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79SC

Krause,
That painting was done at least twice by my trusted mechanic. I saw one of the cars myself. He used supermarket spray paint, like the cheap stuff you can buy to (badly) touch up bodywork. He protected everything that doesn't need paint, and shot the paint (brilliant non metallic black) on after a clean with soapy water. It takes guts.
On the car I saw, you'd be hard pressed to tell, unless you knew.
Of course usual disclaimers apply, as the headliner first drooped to an alarming level before tightening itself up real nice.
I'd do that as a last chance manoeuvre before tearing it down.
Hope this helps, George

wckrause - they sell paint/dye in a can that is brushed on to vinyl. The rear seats in my car were crappy, I found some white ones at a swap meet (cheap) and painted them black. Two light coats, you cannot tell they were ever white.

RarlyL8-- Is this paint/dye sold at auto parts stores, or someplace like that. I'll do some searching.

I was thinking of painting my headliner. My plan is to find some old healiner material to experiment with before I do something totally irreversible in the car.

Is there a special paint I should use?

I'll dig the can out this weekend and give you the vitals. Good auto parts stores should carry such things.

You guys might look into a vinyl spray paint. I got mine at a good paint store to use on my motorcycle seat. Difference (other than cost, which is a bit higher) is that it flexes and if you push on it, it has the ability to give.

Not that the headliner is a high flex area, but I am at times hitting it with my head and would hate to see it crack...

George K is correct, this is not black magic and you can make one with little time and trouble, at a great cost savings. Put the wife to work with the sewing maching and split the cost savings!

Joe:

Right on!!!!

I also used a vinyl black paint to change the color of my red VFR's seat from grey to black, and it has made all the difference in the world in appearence.

I actually did this about 8 years ago, and after countless miles on the VFR, the seat is still black, and even rain and sweat have not changed the color, nor are there any cracks in the paint. It's almost as if the paint has been absorbed INTO the vinyl seat, as opposed to there being paint ON the seat.

This stuff really works!............Andras

I bought a quart of a vinyl paint made by PPG. It's meant to be sprayed on, but the guy that sold it to me said that it can be brushed on my headliner. I've also found a vinyl paint by SEM called Sure-Coat. I can't find a source of supply for it yet. It also can be brushed or sprayed on. I'll test the PPG stuff on some used vinyl before I get it anywhere near my car.

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Bill Krause
'79 911SC Euro