The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors custom head liner

Wondering if anyone has ever made their own custom head liner? seems to me if the original was made of covered cardboard then it couldn't be to hard to make something up. I was thinking of maybe taking a flag or something wrapping it around some card board or something and trowing it up there. how does the headliner attach to the roof?

Obviously i'm not going for a show/restoration being 21, my 1st build, in college and broke, if someone says it looks like crap i can at least say i did it myself without spending a fortune.

Great idea! I have just been restoring a '46 6400 and was thinking about this too.
It will never be in a show, but creativity is more important to me. I think if you
take some careful dimensions for that radius surface and add a tad more for good measure, which can always be trim to fit you could make a pattern for putting on a
large piece of cardboard and that could be covered with whatever suits. I saw a guys old truck that had an old map basically wallpapered to the ceiling and it looked great. In fact, wall paper paste might be one way to go. Be creative.

You can get the cardboard replacements for about $40. I like the idea of wrapping it in some type of upholstery. Post pics when your done!

Just a heads up. A lot of the frustration coming from those cardboard headliners is the installation.

Yea the install is what i read to be a pain.Ive got quite a bit of old cardboard sitting in my parents garage at the cabin where i work on my truck,so i figure a lot of trial and error to see what works/looks the best before i decide how to go about it,the nice part about building it for yourself is, if your happy with it then its good.

My oldest son is a Marine and his job is working on the CH53 helicopter, part of his job is making body parts out of composite materials. Anyway once I figure out what stereo I want he is going to make me a headliner out of fiberglass with an overhead stereo & speakers

Don't forget,take lots of pics!

Hey Guys

Just bought 6 sheets of this material.

http://www.perfectfit.com/15347/154532/Chipboard-Car-Panelboard/Kraft-Tan-Wateproof-Panelboard.html

It is used by Ford, Chrysler and Kenworth for interior and door panels.
I'll be using it for door panels and headliners in my 51 panel ......

I intend on covering it with foam backed headliner material for headliner areas
and short napped carpet for lower door and kick panel areas.

mike

Yes it is a pain. I bought the cardboard headliner for 1946 chevy and I don't know how the factory put it in but it was a real mess. next one I think I would go with the fiberglass one piece. Good luck

Just a note for those that feel the pain of the cardboard headliner, the currently available material is nothing like the original. I have a sample I pulled from inside my panel truck and have been on the hunt for something a little closer to original or easier to work with. I'm curious about the stuff Squire bought. It looks inexpensive enough to check it out.

The panels I bought
are slightly stiffer than the die cut reproduction headliner boards
I bought for the cab of the panel truck. I liked the fact that they're waterproof
and should not absorb any moisture or condensation that may form.

I'll be using
these to cover the six interior side panels and roof of the cargo
area. I'll report on how it goes once I start cutting and forming it.

Squire

For the past 5+ years I have been reading all the horror stories about folks trying to install headliner.
After all that valuable information I have decided to visit Usette's Upholstery Shop and get it done right.

I want to install a headliner in my '55 1st series. I have read the problems installing the original cardboard headliners. Is the ABS plastic or fiberglass headliner difficult to install? Just finished installing door windows and carpet in my truck. Ready for the next challenge. Like to get some feedback on the ABS plastic or fiberglass headliner.
Larry

I am debating about replacing my headliner as well. so very interested in the answer. But.. you mentioned you replaced your carpet. I am in the process of redoing my carpet.. any pointers?

I have questions regarding the battery compartment, master cylinder access, sound sound proofing.. where did you get your carpet etc..

I installed a new cardboard headliner in my 1950 3100. Was going great until I got a "buckle" at the drivers side back bottom corner. A good thing the grandkids weren't around. What to do...I had an epiphany to "install" some aluminum flashing I had laying around sliding it under the middle bow. Due to the geometry of the bow I had to use two pieces connecting them with a rounded corner in the middle of the headliner. The ends tuck nicely under the cab windlace. Looks nice...connects the bland headliner to the shine of the dash and its components.

A picture would help us understand exactly what you did.

You could also search for HDPE at Menards and a few other places. I found it in 1/8” and 1/4” thickness.

My truck is black and the heat in the summer is tremendous to touch the interior of the roof, so insulate.

My truck was a 43,000 mile cosmetically restored rig when I bought it. The headliner had been replaced but would not stay in the metal trim at the junction of the two piece cardboard headliner. After fighting it for a couple years I went with a leather patterned brown ABS replacement. It was a bit of a pain to install but with Mrs. Mopar’s help and a couple hours work completed. At the same time we insulated the roof with 3/4” dense closed cell foam using spray adhesive. I recommend doing both.

Good Luck
RonR

I used Formica from Lowe’s, cut it to size and put in place with my heat gun. Looks great and already lasted longer then my cardboard! There is a thread on it in here somewhere.

Chris