The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Which headliner do you recommend?

Having read many of the threads on here about the frustrations of the original cardboard headliner,...

I was wondering what you, the masses, preferred over the cardboard? i.e. ABS, fiberglass, etc. If you preferred cardboard, other than for its authenticity and inexpensive nature, please explain your choice.

the originals worked for decades, the frustrations folks have with cardboard is either the application technique or low quality repros or climate [condensation behind it] - the trick to prevent sag with the cardboard is to paint the back with an ordinary latex primer/sealer, which protects against moisture absorption and also helps pull it to a proper shape .... plastic is not at all forgiving

Bill

Twice I tried the cardboard option. Despite following or trying to follow the intallation directions I was not satisfied with the final appearance. The corners wrinkled and it looked like a botched job. I opted for a precut fiberglass headliner the third time. It was just sightly easier to install. It looks much better that the previous attempts. I painted it to match the brown interior color of the dash, door panels and upholstery. I don't think most people can tell the difference, just by looking at it.

I used the carboard and thought it was easy to put on. I put the bow on the front of the cardboard first then installed it so it was easier to not fight it and screwed it in. Then I put the back carboard in the bow and screwed it in. For me, I streetroded some stuff but i also didnt want to take away too much as it is an old truck and i wanted to retain that as much as i can.

Perhaps the frustration comes in not having the insight of the original workers that installed the original headliners. Thousands of trucks were produced! I imagine they did not struggle, grunt and curse as often as we do when installing a headliner. The installation doesn't seem as smooth and easy as an assembly worker would have done to accomplish the same task.

Additionally, it's still a cardboard headliner. I understand these were meant to be commercial or farm trucks, but what is the appeal of cardboard to a shiny, freshly painted restoration?

Modification is often the answer to either climate (which would still have been a problem in the originals) or to the lower quality reproductions offered today. If the answer is the quality of the original cardboard, then why not find a supply source and provide instructions on how to cut and mold a headliner to shape? [That would make a great Tech Tip!]

Dave, the problem is finding the correct panel board that has an embossed side to it. And even if you could find it, it probably would't match the side panels or the original pattern or color. As I had mentioned in another thread, the material was water-resistant panel board not affected much by moisture, but not water proof either. Also the head liners were not formed they were flat and installed before the windlace was threaded into it's channel.
When you find that material, please let us know where you got it from.
DG

So a more accurate headliner would have embossing for the sunvisor mount holes, windlace edging, front window trim, etc.? What is the correct thickness? Did the exposed side have a water-resistant paper coating?

I am not a purist, but my curiosity is piqued. I have never seen a sample in good condition after all these years. I tore out my nasty, old headliner without even thinking twice. I wouldn't know what to ask for. The best place to find an exact match of such panel board would be to ask a paper manufacturer, and most likely buy it in bulk.

Afterthought... Would this be the same material as the paneling on the insides of my panel truck (see link in signature)? It's still in good shape. I could use it as a sample.

Blue Truck:
Is your fiberglass headliner one or two piece? Does it have the holes for the sun visors? Vendor?

Thanks!
Charlie

Does anyone else want to chime in on their preference of which headliner they used?

Charlie3:
It is one piece. No sun visor holes. I bought it about 5 years ago from Jim Carter's.

I will be having the same company that upholstered my seat upholster my headliner.

Big Chevy... Will you use a cardbaord backer or a plastic one? or rather one piece or two?

I think I like the upholstered look myself. Only I used a leather seat, so that's pricey.

My seat came from "Wise Guys" in NY. I had a local company cover it in vinyl.
Seat
I'll have the same guy do the headliner. I haven't decided on how to have him do it yet.