Part 1 Headliner Install......Don't be scared of it!

[NY65912]

This past weekend my son and I tackeled the dredded headliner install.

Headliner installs always get the reputation of being the toughest job on the Porsche 911planet. Now, I will say if you must remove the glass then yes it is a major PITA job.

But, let's say you've had the glass out for a repaint as did I. Ahh, then me thinks not, it ain't the worst job. I purchased some 1/8" felt and glued it to the steel inner roof section, to give the bows something to lay on.

Firstly one must obtain the best headiner that one can afford. I got mine from Pelican and it is very heavy, strong, stretchable and had more than enough material for the job.

Second, make sure to put a center line in the openings of the front and rear window frames to line up the marks you will have to make in the center of the headliner itself.

Also, we had a space heater blowing in the cab in order to give a little more pliability to the material.


Third, the bows. Yes this was somewhat of a PITA. But they are color coded. You must use a rubber boot on each bow end to keep the bows in position.

Take a look at this video on Youtube, it helps explain the process somewhat. It's from a few of our brethren from Jolly Old England, I do wish they spoke a little faster

911 68 headliner fitting with Gary Cook.wmv - YouTube

I used Weldwood contact cement and a ton of the black springy paper clips.

So, starting in the front glue up the window frame and material enough to cover when you wrap the material around the frame. See the first pic

After the front is stretched across by pulling on the headliner toward the doors and making sure the headliner and center mark lines up. You must pull a little tension by pulling material to the rear window, but not glued yet, just to take up slack,


After the front is done work down along the door openings evenly a little at a time. It becomes apparent as you work as to how this has to work and the steps involved.

Very important to grab the material along the headliner bow and pull/stretch to the doors, making sure thisgs are even along the bow.


We bypassed the B pillars and took a break and went back to the A pillars and stretched and pie cut the material to fit and make sure the material is long enough to be covered by the pillar trim.

We then moved on to the rear window opening and stretched back but the last bow is a PITA. A couple of times the bow decides to spring forward, but with a little patience it was coaxed back to the correct position, which is laying back toward the rear window, and keeps tension pointed toward the rear and it takes up a lot of slack.

We then moved on to the C pillars. The c pillars needed to involve the side window and the c pilar it self. It actually goes easy if you bite off small chunks at a time.

My son who was able to use four years of art school to his advantage this Saturday, he's got great ability to visualize solids in a spacial sense. He could see things two steps ahead of me. He's also very good with trimming and pie cutting radii



We worked leisurly pace from 8:30 AM untill 1:00 PM and called it a day. This weekend we'll tackel the B pillars and the trimming of the extra material. Also the we are making new pillar trim from a leather look black vinyl. We should be finished and move on to the dash and glass.

Moral of the story is you can do it. Don't feel overwhelmed, it's doable!

I'll post more pics of the finished product in the near future. Good Luck with yours!

[john walker's workshop]

the best ones have fabric on the inside instead of unlined vinyl. glue doesn't stick to vinyl very well.

[saxen]

Good info-
Do you happen to know what the stock headliner weighed?

[NY65912]

The inside of the headliner has an almost suede feel to it.

I think the headliner would weigh in at no more than 2 lbs if that.

The point here is not to be afraid of taking on a job that seems intimidating.

[1-ev.com]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

the best ones have fabric on the inside instead of unlined vinyl. glue doesn't stick to vinyl very well.

hm, I was always thinking that headliner would be without fabric, due to the fact that fabric will restrict vinyl stretch... where we know headliner will always need to be stretched... Also, question: What kind of glue did you use?

But this is a great article... Thank you.

I see Mike have used Weldwood contact cement. (Mike is this regular one or Green color can?)

thank you. -Y.

[NY65912]

1-ev I used Weldwood contact cement in the red can, the original formula. The headliner had stretch enough to pull tight and have no wrinkles.

[tirwin]

I just did my '83 SC coupe. I used E-6000 industrial strength adhesive. It bonds well and dries completely clear. You can get it at Target, Wal-Mart and most hobby/craft stores.

I also bought my headliner from Pelican. Didn't realize anyone made non-fabric backed headliners, but definitely make sure you get one WITH the backing. It does not prevent proper stretching.

[signature65]

I have done it and its a very satisafiying job. Time, patience, and Lots of binder clips are key

[RWebb]

I don't suppose anyone has ever weighed a headliner and the metal cross bars on an accurate scale?

[1-ev.com]

Originally Posted by RWebb

I don't suppose anyone has ever weighed a headliner and the metal cross bars on an accurate scale?

If you would ask before I've installed mine... Just did it, it looks like around 1 lb with rods...

Also, as you can see on my pic below, while arrow points to the last piece that I am about to tack...
About the clips, it seems that if cement used you do not need clips to align the headliner, its sooooo tacky that it holds headliner in position and I've used 1/3 of the 16oz can, that would be 5.3 oz, so you can get just 6oz can for this job..

Later you need clips to hold overnight.. i guess
Speaking the time it was 6hr where:
- 3hr of prep work such as car center, insert rods, driving to Office Max for clips, then look around... grab beer... , watching the video and reading this article...

- 3 hours of installing work.... Pre-Last 1/2 hr to verify all is good before bending headliner over the edges and cut extras (this is last 1/2 hr)...

my2c, -Y

[Dublinoh]

Nice contribution, looking forward to the finished pictures.

[rolls 912]

I recently installled my headliner perfectly after lots of heartache and time.

Then when I was welding a small patch in the rear well I could smell burning plastic. As I had my welding mask on I couldn't see properly. When I took it off there was black sooty flames leaping out the rear 1/4 window. I then had to install a new headliner. Ah the joys of A restoration!

[1-ev.com]

Originally Posted by 1-ev.com

Also, as you can see left of the arrow area has glued to frame more and looks ugly, its easy to make it look like the aria right of the arrow, by pulling headliner and just "drop" on edge of frame, so it just touching as it on right of the arrow...

another my 2c,

[1-ev.com]

Hey guys i need you help on A-Pillars, What is the correct way to put leatherettes? I have mine removed by body shop and thrown away ...
Also, do I need foam under it, it looks like originals did not have it and leatherettes themselves looks foamy...

Thank you in advance
I have relocated pics to my own thread about it, to not to Hi-jack this thread... here a-pillar leatherettes

[kkinzli]

Thanks for posting this! This should really help me in a few months when I am ready to put the headliner in after painting.

[1-ev.com]

Also, if anyone interested in Dash Recovery its here Dash Recovery - DYI - BEST WAY, THANK YOU !!

My another 2c, -Y.

[NY65912]

Relisting photos that got screwed up.

[kkinzli]

This post helped me tremendously when doing my headliner! Thanks a lot for the information

[1-ev.com]

also Pelican link:
Pelican Technical Article: Headliner Replacement - 911 (1965-89) - 930 Turbo (1975-89)

[Newbrunswicktod]

In non-sunroof cars there are bows that keep the headliner tight up against the roof. Can anyone explain how the headliner in a sunroof car is kept up against the roof? I'm getting ready to tackle the job. Thanks all.