Re: 55 400 headliner

Posted by d c On 2020/12/9 11:06:20

Thanks Rikki , Ross. Keep up the good work. Just for ref: if you use keywords "1955 headliner install" ( no make model) you will see one at 12:42 min runtime and one at 26:40 run time , one shows the toothed retainer and the other stapling to tack strip and that one details trimming the bow listing on the sides to enable pulling down and stretching the sides to eliminate all side to side wrinkles. Are you saying there are no toothed retainers OR the tack strip to attach and stretch the liner side to side? Is there windlace? could you detail your procedure.
As stated before , the importance of sharing info on the most difficult and expensive hurdles on these oldies for DIYers is needed : For those entering the hobby to get a feel for what they do and do not want to tackle, to eliminate transport to and from shops during refurb, to complete a job when there is no expert specialty shop nearby ie very rural local, and to not be so far under water on the lower price point cars as to abandon projects so more of these can be kept on for others to appreciate.
I will be interested to see your progress. Certainly the 55 I did was described as show ready by the next owner and my 40 Willy's coup with 41 tilt nose (KRYPT to NIGHT)was acceptable for local cruise nights. (I'm not talking Riddler award here). Yes it was a play on words: say it fast- the other drivers nemesis (Superman ref) and in the more literal my possible outcome as described by my wife back in the day.
By the way- the wire frames littering the roadsides after elections are acceptable free headliner bow materials and other uses-(try to do a bowed headliner on a 40 Willy's coup with NOTHING THERE to start with. Carpet edge tackless ( not the wood at wall attachment but the metal toothed with the finished edge) can have the rolled lip trimmed off and can be used to reproduce rusted or missing headliner attachment.
Some more DIY advice-door panels can be saved/replaced/repaired at home. On fifties cars where they are water damaged/wrinkled even on doors with multiple colors separated by stainless trim , We created a process of recreating the full door panel with thin doorskin then spray gluing the original vinyl to it. In the areas where there was a pleated vinyl destroyed and rotting thread, we used new vinyl and cardboard by indenting the cardboard on its natural corrigations every inch then drawing pencil lines on those same lines on the back ,we were able to sew on a regular home sewing machine pleated vinyl panels of any size or color by sewing vinyl DOWN cardboard up following pencil lines creating perfectly straight pleats. Thick card board recreates fifties style-thin foam sandwiched in between for puffier look. As many know without a commercial machine and upper walking foot this usually cannot be done at home but it works this way because the supple vinyl is down in contact with the Toothed walking foot on a home machine. Leaving the sides an inch long simply spray glue these to doorskin and wrap n staple edges on back. Do an internet search for "the heaviest thread on a home machine" for info on all the settings. It was very satisfying to repair or remake one panel for twelve bucks and have people not be able to determine repairs from originals. Spray dye works well on door handle pulls if not cracked separating.
One last tip. A word about temperature. Body work, spray tack, weatherstrip adhesive etc will not perform at temps below 68 so if you are in the north working this time of year-heat the work area. Spray tack in the greenhouse in the sun! 80 degrees better. Even after heating- I used to place a light stand an old friend gave me and use old school spots, halogen work lamps etc on the area to be worked on until the sheet metal was warm on the palm . Then work in small areas. Be careful of heaters flames etc with the fumes caused by glues, sprays,paints bondo etc. wish I had more pics of all that but in the days before vlogs, forums and such I was more focused on getting the job done than tutoring. good luck all. Happy holidays.