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Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:42 pm

what type of glue do you use for headliner install? I tried a contact cement, but when I went out the next morning the head liner was down. Any suggestions?

Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:45 pm

I've been using SHOE GOO for Everything since Russ Wolfe recommended it!

Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:56 pm

3M spray adhesive 90 works wonders as well.

Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:30 pm

Quickstraw wrote: what type of glue do you use for headliner install? I tried a contact cement, but when I went out the next morning the head liner was down. Any suggestions?

Bob and I just did the headliner in the T34 the other day, we also used contact cement (DAP brand). Points he says are important, air temp 70 degrees or warmer, put contact cement on both surfaces (back of headliner and surface you want it attached to), give it a 20 minute flash time (set up time to tack up ) and then stick it to itself.

Bob says same type of thing applies even if you're using the 3M spray adhesive 90, though the flash time may be shorter. Don't have a can on hand to read it's instructions, sorry.

As Bob would say, Hope this helps.

Sun May 01, 2011 6:39 pm

another issue that may cause the spray to fail is the old glue has to be cleaned off using MEK or some other solvent. esentially the old glue inhibits the curing process. the 3m spray in the green can is ten times better than the black can it comes out in a heavier spray. temp is a big factor as well. 70 or better

Sun May 01, 2011 6:53 pm

solvent based contact cement, I've done 4 headliners that way and no failures.
You have to let the glue dry on both sides before sticking it.

Then clamp it

Sun May 01, 2011 6:59 pm

W1K1 wrote: solvent based contact cement, I've done 4 headliners that way and no failures.
You have to let the glue dry on both sides before sticking it.

Then clamp it

Damn, that looks sweet!

I am planning to do mine this summer and I was wondering exactly where do you spray the adhesive? From taking all the old adhesive off the roof it looked like it was sprayed everywhere. I've heard that you only need to spray the sides that stick by the upper windows.

Or maybe there was some sound deadener in the middle of the roof......can't remember :oops:

Sun May 01, 2011 8:27 pm

3M 1300L works great. I use it on every headliner I do.

Sun May 01, 2011 8:29 pm

19typethree67 wrote: W1K1 wrote: solvent based contact cement, I've done 4 headliners that way and no failures.
You have to let the glue dry on both sides before sticking it.

Then clamp it

Damn, that looks sweet!

I am planning to do mine this summer and I was wondering exactly where do you spray the adhesive? From taking all the old adhesive off the roof it looked like it was sprayed everywhere. I've heard that you only need to spray the sides that stick by the upper windows.

Or maybe there was some sound deadener in the middle of the roof......can't remember :oops:

Actually it's both places, because the roof gets some sound deadener glued to it before the headliner goes in.

Mon May 02, 2011 5:49 am

Quote: I am planning to do mine this summer and I was wondering exactly where do you spray the adhesive? From taking all the old adhesive off the roof it looked like it was sprayed everywhere. I've heard that you only need to spray the sides that stick by the upper windows.

Just so we're clear, the glue on the roof is just to adhere the sound deadener. The headliner is held just on the outer edges.

Tue May 03, 2011 12:09 pm

One more question. Do you start in the front, glue and clip, then go to the back and pull it tight. Then go back for the sides?

Tue May 03, 2011 1:36 pm

Quickstraw wrote: One more question. Do you start in the front, glue and clip, then go to the back and pull it tight. Then go back for the sides?

When Bob did previous T3 ones, (they were cloth), he hung it, pulled it tight, got it where he wanted it, (he used "clippy" clothes pins) and started gluing at the rear, then the sides, and front last, as he wanted to be sure it was tight over his head (no sagging, in the future.) And did the pillars last.

Bob says the vinyl is a lot more stretchy than the cloth, the cloth only gives so much and that's it.

For the T34, with the vinyl, I know he said he did it different than normal. He did the pillars first.

After he got the sound deadener glued in. He hung the headliner in place, pulled it tight, got it where he liked, and used painters tape to hold it. (We didn't have all the clips available to us, and since he's a body man.... well, we had plenty of tape.)

Then he started at the front, undid the tape, laid the glue to both surfaces, let it tack up, pulled it tight again, attached it at the glue points, and then reattached the tape to hold it tight. Let it set up that way a bit, ( convenient time for a smoke break.) Then he did the sides, one at a time, following above process for the front. Then the rear was last, same process.

I know he said he'd wished he left the pillars for last, like he normally does.

Tue May 03, 2011 6:05 pm

I usually start front to back
for the early headliner you attach the rear section first and then stretch it out with the ribs in it.

stretch it to the front and glue a 1ft strip in the center.
then stretch and glue the sides for a foot on each side.
see already good 'n tight :wink:
make sure you are square now because it's too late when you get to the corners

my space heater aimed at the roof keeps the vinyl soft and stretchy throughout the process

so then you work towards the corners a foot or so at a time, always working the opposite side at the same time.
the glue has time to dry between gluing and working on another section, don't rush the glue

keep going

right to the corners

done done

no wrinkles
leave the clips on overnight and install the windows when you're ready.

Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:28 pm

OK looking at the pictures, it looks like there is no headliner material on the back section by the declid springs? And how do you do the side pieces around the windows? I am about to do my first headliner and I am nervous about it...

Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:10 am

Amazing job on that headliner. =D>

Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:13 am

Early cars have a full width spring cover that hides the back 10 or so inches of the roof/springs.

The side pieces are just strips that cover the posts, i don't have any detail pics at the moment.

Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:43 am

Thank you for the clear instructions W1K1! I am going to do my 1st one and it seems bug headliner instructions are plentiful; nice to see a squareback though.

I do have a question about the bows and spring clips; does someone have a photo of how these are supposed to look under the headliner? my car didn't have anything interior wise thanks to the PO so I have no reference. I'm sure I could figure it out but it would be nice to see what I'm "shooting" for. Thanks, Tim

also I know this is an old thread, just one of the best I've seen on the subject

Fri Jun 05, 2015 10:50 am

Just removed my HL last night, and took a few pictures along the way.
I'll see what I got and post 'em tonight.
edit
this is inside looking to front

How the rod &hook attach

Mon Jun 08, 2015 9:47 am

Air-Cooled Head,

thanks for the pic; thats what I figured for the spring/clip attachment, it helps to see the pics though, Thanks again, Tim