Headlining

Duffy3074 · 12-01-18, 04:14 PM

The windscreen's coming out of the jalopy next week so the car car be painted, an ideal time to crack on with re -covering the roof lining! I've got a sample of the original cloth in the post to Martin's trim to match and will crack on when the kit arrives back.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Reco...r-and-Pillars/

Seems like one of the better guides. Anybody done this and any obvious "gotcha's" to avoid? I like the water filled bag trick.

Cheers!

audizzz · 12-01-18, 05:11 PM

Hi have done this before.

You need to lightly glue the fabric left to right in straight lines, let it dry off and spray again top to bottom in straight lines thereby covering any missed spots. This is best done twice each way.

Do not be too heavy with the spray glue and buy a good quality one.

Alcantara can be used but is much easier to work with when working with a heat gun.

You definately need two friends, one at each end holding two corners, you working the material in place starting in the middle and working out to the sides. I personally use a wallpaper past brush to gently ease it, also stops fingerprints.

If you use too much glue it will pass right through the foam and everytime you touch the headlining it will squash the foam leaving indentations.

If not very confident, a large piece of plastic bag can be placed on the glued surface (test for sticking first to make sure you can pull it off easily) then you can place material on it and again starting in the middle cut the plastic, pull it off a little at a time whilst smoothing the material down.

Take your time do not rush and do not press firmly into place until you are sure it is in the correct position.

Good luck

msh · 12-01-18, 05:30 PM

In the place where I am located enthusiasts generally use different technique - one certain locally made glue, half a liter can for few euros - most use brush, I presume - I've glued one headlining and a couple of door trims, and I did as my mate [having "furniture designer" education] recommended, applying glue with putty knife, gluing step by step, in a slow process.

audizzz · 12-01-18, 05:56 PM

Different people use different techniques.

My experience is from working on VIP jets in Switzerland where interior trims and fittings cost in the region of 70-350 million dollars dependant on the customers specifications.

The interiors were unbelievable and obviously nothing less than perfection would do.

Would strongly advise against spreading glue as it is very very difficult to get an even spread and you end up with lines of glue.

msh · 12-01-18, 06:18 PM

Well, we're here talking about rather rough surface with approximate shape and usually headlining cloth is thick with foam base, so that doesn't really matter - even errors with too much glue will likely won't be noticeable, unless the glue reach surface of cloth. When I was gluing thin cloth to mk2 golf fiberglass door trims, it was slightly different, with thin cloth too much glue errors could become visible, but it's easy to prevent, and in that case bigger problem was not very flat shape of that trim itself...

sinbin5t · 12-01-18, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audizzz

Different people use different techniques.

My experience is from working on VIP jets in Switzerland where interior trims and fittings cost in the region of 70-350 million dollars dependant on the customers specifications.

The interiors were unbelievable and obviously nothing less than perfection would do.

Would strongly advise against spreading glue as it is very very difficult to get an even spread and you end up with lines of glue.

WOW, that's some experience then

John. · 12-01-18, 06:30 PM

Mark here has done his recently, maybe worth giving him a shout?

http://www.classic-audi.co.uk/forum/...=37253&page=13

Duffy3074 · 12-01-18, 07:15 PM

Thanks guys.
I’ve worked with alcantara before but am keen to keep this one original where possible.
Anybody gone with separate foam akin to what I did with my doorcards?

Duffy3074 · 12-01-18, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John.

Mark here has done his recently, maybe worth giving him a shout?

http://www.classic-audi.co.uk/forum/...=37253&page=13

Good link hadn’t seen that one

12-01-18, 05:11 PM	#2
audizzz Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 122	Hi have done this before. You need to lightly glue the fabric left to right in straight lines, let it dry off and spray again top to bottom in straight lines thereby covering any missed spots. This is best done twice each way. Do not be too heavy with the spray glue and buy a good quality one. Alcantara can be used but is much easier to work with when working with a heat gun. You definately need two friends, one at each end holding two corners, you working the material in place starting in the middle and working out to the sides. I personally use a wallpaper past brush to gently ease it, also stops fingerprints. If you use too much glue it will pass right through the foam and everytime you touch the headlining it will squash the foam leaving indentations. If not very confident, a large piece of plastic bag can be placed on the glued surface (test for sticking first to make sure you can pull it off easily) then you can place material on it and again starting in the middle cut the plastic, pull it off a little at a time whilst smoothing the material down. Take your time do not rush and do not press firmly into place until you are sure it is in the correct position. Good luck

12-01-18, 05:30 PM	#3
msh 4 ring whore! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rucava, Latvija Posts: 3,816	In the place where I am located enthusiasts generally use different technique - one certain locally made glue, half a liter can for few euros - most use brush, I presume - I've glued one headlining and a couple of door trims, and I did as my mate [having "furniture designer" education] recommended, applying glue with putty knife, gluing step by step, in a slow process.

12-01-18, 05:56 PM	#4
audizzz Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 122	Different people use different techniques. My experience is from working on VIP jets in Switzerland where interior trims and fittings cost in the region of 70-350 million dollars dependant on the customers specifications. The interiors were unbelievable and obviously nothing less than perfection would do. Would strongly advise against spreading glue as it is very very difficult to get an even spread and you end up with lines of glue.

12-01-18, 06:18 PM	#5
msh 4 ring whore! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rucava, Latvija Posts: 3,816	Well, we're here talking about rather rough surface with approximate shape and usually headlining cloth is thick with foam base, so that doesn't really matter - even errors with too much glue will likely won't be noticeable, unless the glue reach surface of cloth. When I was gluing thin cloth to mk2 golf fiberglass door trims, it was slightly different, with thin cloth too much glue errors could become visible, but it's easy to prevent, and in that case bigger problem was not very flat shape of that trim itself...

12-01-18, 06:30 PM	#7
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,520	Mark here has done his recently, maybe worth giving him a shout? http://www.classic-audi.co.uk/forum/...=37253&page=13

12-01-18, 07:15 PM	#8
Duffy3074 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Dalgety Bay, Fife Posts: 2,078	Thanks guys. I’ve worked with alcantara before but am keen to keep this one original where possible. Anybody gone with separate foam akin to what I did with my doorcards?