1939 Ford headliner

B

Bernie

Junior Member
I'm wanting to install a headliner and have several questions. First, where can I get some detailed instructions? Second, can you tell me how difficult it is to put one in -- I've never seen this done and have heard that it's difficult. I have done a lot of work on this car, such a replacing the hydraulic system and overhauling carburator, fuel pump and distributor but the headliner has me concerned about whether I can do a good job.?? Thanks for any information. Bernie
 
If you buy the headliner from Cartouche or LeBaron-Bonney they should come with instructions. If the old headliner is still in the car make notes when you take it out. Make sure that the headliner bows go back in their original location. If the steel bows are rusty they should be sanded/cleaned and then painted with some cheap spray paint to keep them from rusting again. If not cleaned/painted the rust can bleed into the new headliner.
When installing take your time. Do not cut off any material until you know you have the headliner in it's correct location. Also if you can remove all the seats it makes the job much easier.
 
Even L-B instructions are useless. Don't cut anything. Start at rear window. Use push pins, heavy stapler, tacks, tack puller, string, tape, spring clamps, needle, thread, card stock to back up staples. Have a interested helper.
 
Thanks. I am still trying to decide to take on the job. I probably will go ahead with it since the car has the original fabric and it's falling to pieces. If I understand correctly I should first remove the entire headliner and then start putting in the new one. I can use my digital camera to show how the old headliner is attached, etc. I have already removed the rear seat and back cushion.
 
I just (two days ago) finished installing a headliner in a 39 coupe. It is time consuming but with patience, you should be able to handle it. Lebaron, while a bit more pricey is well worth the cost. Instructions are fairly clear as well.
I would strongly suggest you mark the bows to be 100% certain they go back in properly.
When you purchase the headliner kit, I would suggest purchasing new tack strip as well. The old (originally installed) fiberboard stuff usually is not adaquet to handle a new liner.
 

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I found the use of an upholstery steamer very helpful to remove the tiny wrinkles after I installed a LB Kit in my 40 coupe. Don't forget to leave enough headliner material to reach the top edge of the windshield when installing the front visors.
 
Thanks again. I'm encouraged by your help! The photos of your installed headliner was super. Also, all of the good hints that comes from your hands-on experiences. Bernie
 
If you need to steam the headliner make sure you use distilled water. If your wife has one of those little steamers for taking out wrinkles from clothes it will work perfect.
 
I put in a molded headliner in my 36 pickup, it was the hardest thing that I have done to it. the windlace was also very hard. it will make it easer if you have a helper
 
The steel bows should be marked with a number stamped into them (mine were) Make a diagram of where each number was in the car as you remove them. As mentioned above, don't cut any material off until the thing is installed and streched, they don't give you a lot of extra material to work with. Take your time--you can do it.
 
After removing the old 'liner scrape the roof clean of any old sound deadener material and decide if you will replace it. I recently did a 40 tudor and brushed a coat of SEM Rust -Seal on the the cleaned roof and then applied Dynamat over that. Might want to replace the courtesy lights wire while your there. Perfect tack strips are critical especially around the perimeter of the package tray. Use a good tack hammer and a great tool for starting tacks in tough spots is a magnetic tack driver which looks like a fat drift punch that's magnetized on one end to hold a tack. Sharp shears that cut to the very tip are also important. Be cautious around the A piller and visor brackets. Easy to cut away too much fabric there. Luck.
John
 
Kube said:
I just (two days ago) finished installing a headliner in a 39 coupe. It is time consuming but with patience, you should be able to handle it. Lebaron, while a bit more pricey is well worth the cost. Instructions are fairly clear as well.
I would strongly suggest you mark the bows to be 100% certain they go back in properly.
When you purchase the headliner kit, I would suggest purchasing new tack strip as well. The old (originally installed) fiberboard stuff usually is not adaquet to handle a new liner.
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kube nice work that looks great!
 
I'm doing a 40 todor sedan, while cleaning the bows I noticed the numbers stamped on one end. I may be in BIG trouble... I have two 4's, and no number 6. Has anybody else ran into this? Thanks for your help, Chuck S.



Dak Rat said:
The steel bows should be marked with a number stamped into them (mine were) Make a diagram of where each number was in the car as you remove them. As mentioned above, don't cut any material off until the thing is installed and streched, they don't give you a lot of extra material to work with. Take your time--you can do it.
Click to expand...
 
chuck stevens said:
I'm doing a 40 todor sedan, while cleaning the bows I noticed the numbers stamped on one end. I may be in BIG trouble... I have two 4's, and no number 6. Has anybody else ran into this? Thanks for your help, Chuck S.
Click to expand...
They were not stamped at the factory so someone, at some time in the past, had apparently installed a replacement head liner. I am guessing they could not find the correct bows and used what they had. If the old head liner looked decent in your opinion, I see no reason why you won't be able to repeat that result, perhaps even better, once again.
 
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Bernie: ..Google "headliners, cars" and you will get a host of info. and kits for sale . also look under "Headliners Fabric", more info. the last one I read, said buy my kit,and I'll include a free set of knee pads, sort of tells you what your in for. .... and Hay chuck where are the numbers stamped on the bows, there still in the car. ?? and I don't see em ?? ...OLD....BILL
 
Bernie, I installed my LaBaron Bonney 40 coupe interior including the headliner in 1988. I saved the instructions. Let me know if you want them.
 
Bill, my numbers were stamped on one end, near the mounting hole. They look like factory stampings, one, is the first one back from the windshield and 7 is closest to the back window. I think you'll find the numbers if you wire brush them a little. I guess I will do a trial fit without the headliner, my car may have been a Monday or Friday car....they used what ever number they wanted. Chuck S.


OLD...BILL said:
Bernie: ..Google "headliners, cars" and you will get a host of info. and kits for sale . also look under "Headliners Fabric", more info. the last one I read, said buy my kit,and I'll include a free set of knee pads, sort of tells you what your in for. .... and Hay chuck where are the numbers stamped on the bows, there still in the car. ?? and I don't see em ?? ...OLD....BILL
Click to expand...
 
'40 Coupe Bows

Pulling raggedy interiors out of my coupes and find that the screwed in bows are numbered on one top end. The last bow, center rear window is made of #8 wire that is bent on the ends. This is for the Business Coupe. Liner still installed in others and the rear bows may be incomplete. There seems to be no simple order to the numbering on the screw in bows. I also have a bundle of bows that probably came out of other closed cars, but also have not decoded the length code on the numbers. Take good notes! Good Luck: Fred A
 
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