The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1957 headliner installation

A little help with installing the headliner in a 57 please. I bought the liner from LMC. It is smaller than the area that it is placed to install so I am guessing the retainer takes up the difference. Is there a trick to installing this?? Install the retainer first and slip headliner into place or install it all at the same time? Doesn't look like this is going to be alot of fun.

the least fun is installing the rubber the headliner should be just about the size of the opening, make sure it's actually big enough to have the edges covered by the rubber - and it needs to be glued in before the rubber goes on, it's unlikely to stay otherwise

[note, did you know your 'webshots' no longer exist?]

Bill

Any tools used? Looks like once the liner is glued to the rubber there is nothing to push against to seat it.

I think I used a heat gun a couple of times to soften up the rubber a little bit in the difficult area's.
The liquid dish soap I used for a lube really made all the difference for my install.

not glued to the rubber, the headliner is glued to the roof skin before the rubber is installed, the rubber is simply a trim piece to cover the edges of the headliner, which from the factory was glued in .... I've found 'pinching' the rubber just right opens the slot a bit so it can be slipped on, a thin piece of hardwood to force the edge in behind the lip helps, but you just have to struggle with it 'til it's on

Bill

ok. I'll give it a try. Funny. I've had almost no problems rebuilding this truck- exterior, engine, brakes, etc. Get to the interior and I'm a complete idiot!

And red, I'll get some pictures for you.

not a biggie, I just always look at TF pics when I notice, just thought you might not have thought to change your album link since webshots dumped us all .... and for the details of the interior, the assembly manual is often useful

Bill

FWIW, I just came across the 2 in. piece of rubber trim I cut off (I made sure it was excess first) to use as a 'for instance' before trying to fit mine.
It reminded me I slipped it on, then slid it around the 'track' looking for any tight spots and addressed those first.

good idea. Thanks

Use 3M General Trim Adhesive #08088 for attaching the headliner and dish soap watered down a little for installing trim. Trial-fitting with a small piece of rubber trim and smoothing the edge with sand-paper if necessary is a good idea. Preparation is key. I did mine 10 years ago and it was challenging but it still looks great.