VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1939 4 door Headliner Installation

Hello and many thanks in advance for any help. I would like to install my recently received headliner from LeBaron Bonney myself and am wondering what others experience has been. I'm an average "Joe" with no outstanding skills with upholstery although I did, I think, successfully install my door panels. I have removed the old headliner to find a very brittle black 1/8th inch material that was probably there as an insulator. I have removed all of that. Should that material be replaced, and if so, what material would best be suited? I was thinking of a thin foam layer glued to the roof underside. The big question is, is this something left more to professionals?

Best wishes,

Chuck
Idaho Springs, CO

I won't comment on installing it since I have only removed mine at this point. However I would definitely replace the black felt paper if it is brittle. Also I would replace any wiring that goes through there.

I remember installing a Lebaron- Bonney headliner in my '47 sedan as doable for most hobbiest but at times 4 hands are necessary. A big problem that comes up is that the composite paperboard tack strips that you tack the fabric edges to are no longer capable of holding the tacks tight. Even pieces that looked sound did not work. I couldn't find a supplier for the tack strip material so created my own by glueing several layers of heavy paperboard ( Hobby Lobby has that).Steaming the finished headliner is necessary to get it nice and taut.
If you glue insulation material to the metal roof be sure to use the 3-M Hi-temp spray adhesive. Good luck with your project. Dan

I have read an account of the Studebaker factory, I think in the fifties where they steamed the headliner after installation. I wonder if they did that in the original Chev plant.

I used an old "V" belt. It fit perfectly in the channel and bent around the dog leg with out a problem. The tacks hold great.

If you look in the LeBaron Bonney catalog, they have a product to replace the strips and it is rubber based. It comes in different widths and it is in the Ford products section.

Thanks to all that responded. I did find the insulation listed in the LeBarron-Bonney catalog in the Ford section and have it on order. It sounded like just what I needed. I don't know why it was listed in just the Ford section as it seems to be the same product for both Ford and Chevrolet. Thanks again!

I think the company used to specialize in only Ford products before they came to their senses and began producing products for the betterment of mankind!

Evidently, they bought out Hampton Coach.

Likely don't show all products in both catalogs which makes it inconvenient at best or impossible at times.

Several years ago I installed headliners in a 47 coupe and a 41 coupe that were made from a cotton flannel material. I really don't recall where they were purchased from but I'm fairly sure it was from one of the major suppliers that advertises in Hemmings. It was difficult to get them installed tight enough to be free of wrinkles. I recall that the instructions recommended lightly misting the completed installation with water that caused the headliner to shrink when it dried in turn removing any remaining wrinkles. You might want to ask LeBaron Bonney what they recommend.

Lastly with regard to the sound deadening material I'm hearing that the hot rodders are using the black self sticking "ice and water" roofing membrane used under shingles with good success. It's expensive to buy a whole roll but many times you can find someone with a left over piece.