Re: Saving my original coupe headliner.................
OK guys, have an update for you guys. In fact, a lot of members have asked me about the status of this thread. Well, I ordered the new backing board, foam and glue form Al Knock. I have been meaning to tinker with it for months, but we are expecting another baby in May (a BOY this time) so things have been hectic. However, what I did was give the headliner to a great upholstery shop in Fort Lauderdale. I went over exactly what I wanted them to do. They noted that my original may have shrunk over time. They fought me on doing the job. They didn't want to undertake it. Finally they agreed. I had them remove the original headliner from the original backing board. Then removed all the deteriorated original foam. They cleaned the headliner. They laughed at Al knock's foam, saying that it would NO WAY work. They said the density was too thin to work. They used their own (pink) colored foam. It was much more dense, and thicker (two separate characteristics). They sprayed glue on the backing board and then on the back of their foam. Let both tack up. Then married the two. Then they shot the front of the foam and the back of the original headliner. Tacked up and married them. They had to stretch the original headliner back into shape. They did it in the sun (down here in sunny Florida) to facilitate the stretching of the headliner, but a heat gun will work also. They aligned the headliner on the board so that the impressions from the headliner moldings were exactly where they should be, and to allow for easier alignment when I go to put it back in. It came fantastic. I will install it this weekend after I put my daughter down and will let you guys how it holds up.
Long story short - they (and I ) feel that the thinner foam is the reason so many have failed at saving their original headliners. Their foam had a backing to it, and wasn't porous foam for the glue to soak into instead of resting and drying on the backing - thus giving more surface area for the glue to bite. We shall see, and I will keep all posted on if it falls or sags, but it seems like they did a GREAT job.
Also, whoever asked me about my brand new Al Knock headliner and wanted it at the Lakeland Regional, please get in touch with me. I can not remember who it was as I was busy judging, but I don't need it anymore as I have my original back so let me know who it was and we figure out how to get it to you.
Also, I hope Gary Zawacki reads this post as I think his original headliner in his SPECTACULAR all original 66 coupe that I saw in Lakeland can be saved too....
Thanks guys!!!!!
OK guys, have an update for you guys. In fact, a lot of members have asked me about the status of this thread. Well, I ordered the new backing board, foam and glue form Al Knock. I have been meaning to tinker with it for months, but we are expecting another baby in May (a BOY this time) so things have been hectic. However, what I did was give the headliner to a great upholstery shop in Fort Lauderdale. I went over exactly what I wanted them to do. They noted that my original may have shrunk over time. They fought me on doing the job. They didn't want to undertake it. Finally they agreed. I had them remove the original headliner from the original backing board. Then removed all the deteriorated original foam. They cleaned the headliner. They laughed at Al knock's foam, saying that it would NO WAY work. They said the density was too thin to work. They used their own (pink) colored foam. It was much more dense, and thicker (two separate characteristics). They sprayed glue on the backing board and then on the back of their foam. Let both tack up. Then married the two. Then they shot the front of the foam and the back of the original headliner. Tacked up and married them. They had to stretch the original headliner back into shape. They did it in the sun (down here in sunny Florida) to facilitate the stretching of the headliner, but a heat gun will work also. They aligned the headliner on the board so that the impressions from the headliner moldings were exactly where they should be, and to allow for easier alignment when I go to put it back in. It came fantastic. I will install it this weekend after I put my daughter down and will let you guys how it holds up.
Long story short - they (and I ) feel that the thinner foam is the reason so many have failed at saving their original headliners. Their foam had a backing to it, and wasn't porous foam for the glue to soak into instead of resting and drying on the backing - thus giving more surface area for the glue to bite. We shall see, and I will keep all posted on if it falls or sags, but it seems like they did a GREAT job.
Also, whoever asked me about my brand new Al Knock headliner and wanted it at the Lakeland Regional, please get in touch with me. I can not remember who it was as I was busy judging, but I don't need it anymore as I have my original back so let me know who it was and we figure out how to get it to you.
Also, I hope Gary Zawacki reads this post as I think his original headliner in his SPECTACULAR all original 66 coupe that I saw in Lakeland can be saved too....
Thanks guys!!!!!
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