VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Installing my Headliner

Working in the garage today installing the Headliner. I did a very careful centering layout and started in the back. Lots of 7/16" Tacks and a needle nose plyers. The wood is old as the car, and therefore very hard nailing. Patience and the NASCAR Dover race on the TV make the job a little less tedious. If I can get two rows of Tacking done today I'll be happy. My staple gun will not drive the staples home but does serve well for initial layout. More tonight! Al W.

Did you try starting the tack or staple and using channel locks to push the tack or staple in?

The darn things are only 7/16" long. Needle nose does the job fine it's just the contortions are hard on my 66 year old body. I've been cheating a little with my electric staple gun using Stainless staples. I was able to complete two rows of assembly. I combine tacks and staples. It's a learning experience but it's going well. I wish I could post pictures but I do not know how to change a photo file size to a smaller number. Tinypics doesn't do it for me.

Update: This morning I finished the install of the Headliner. I really was getting good at those little Tacks too. I also installed the rear pieces for the back seat area. I wanted to make sure the Headliner had no wrinkles. As with everything, once you do it, you will get better at it. Now I'll start on the Roping and door panels. The Seat Covers should not be that hard to do. Thanks for listening, Al W.

Once you get your pictures uploaded to the net and have your own picture deposits, check around that setting and you should have a button that indicates size. In my system for example the largest size allowed is just perfect for the Chevy Chat II. Remember what choice you make so you will know to either reduce or enlarge the next picture.

You mastered the headliner and I'll bet you can capture the picture drill also.

Here's the before. [/img]
Here's the after.

Looks GREAT !!

You have done a exceptionally nice "Superfragileisticexpealidocious" job


hoppy

I think he meant "Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious", and he is so right! Leaving out the "Cali" may offend the California crowd. You know Al, I am at about the stage you are with my '31 Coach and your photo gives me a shot of inspiration to get moving. Cheers.

Thanks for the "Kudo's" fellas. I'm not bragging, but it looks better in person than by photo! Trimming it will also add a lot of splash. It's an overcast day here on Long Island so I'll spend some time installing more pieces. BTW, the quality of the Hamptons kit is wonderful. Each piece has it's location on the back side in Taylors Marker. This really helps in locating things properly. I'm also preparing the moldings for woodgraining and will report progress here. Al W.

Great job, wish I had thought of using insulation when I did my restoration.

The insulation really tightens up the car. These cars are noisy to begin with so anything I can do to quiet her down is good. I'll be using expansion foam around the inside before closing the sides in. Not filling the panels just closing the lower portions from critter and water intrusion. Pictures coming! Al W.

So Al where about exactly are you shooting the foam,I'm also beginning the process.I hope my job turns out as good as yours!

Very nice job. That is something to be proud of.

The foam will be the low expansion type and will be used on low areas. The rear inside the back behind the seat and also some on the sides in the back. The Toe Board area inside the cowl. left and right sides. I don't think any of it will be visable from the outside. This car should never see prolonged rain so I'm not concerned about blocking drainage. Might do it tomorrow so I'll post some photos if I do. Al W.

I must say this is very helpful! I am new to this and any "work in progress" tasks that people undertake are very useful for me to watch. I cant wait to hear more about this! Thanks for the read.