32 5-Window Coupe Headliner Install

G

Gordon Ellis

Member
I am about to attempt to install a headliner in my coupe. The instructions that came with the kit are 'spartan' at best. Any video's, hints, websites, etc., that would help me get this job right the first time would be greatly appreciated. I have viewed a video on Youtube that is helpful, but it's about the only one I could find that addresses this particular task.
 
I'm not an upholsterer but have done several. I always start at the front bow center then work outward to the edges and work each bow to the back tack strip then finish the front to the header wood. I've used both a good manual stapler and an electric and had more success with my powerful manual driving the staples into the wood. I've done both cloth and leather and the cloth was lighter and easier. It's tiring working over your head at my age so I took a lot of breaks.
 
Krylon's advice is good, and it is a hard job. Just imagine boxing for an hour or two and that just about describes it. What I have found helpful is to remove the seats and carpets- mats first. Then I stack milk crates on the floor boards and put plywood or pallets on top, creating a raised working area. Lay on your back in there and check for height. It ain't perfect but it makes a hard job lots easier. Done this a few times, wouldn't do it any other way. Of course you could pay someone.... Good luck, take your time.
 
If you string a copper-plated welding rod or something similar that won't rust through the loops on the upper side of the headlining you will get much straighter seams side to side between the sections.
 
The loops are referred to as listings and listings are usually held with wire of some sort and as was mentioned previously the non-corrosive stuff is best.
 
Mark the center line of each wood bow. Then mark the center line of each "listing" also known as a bow sleeve. Match the two center lines as you move from bow to bow when stapling. The secret is not to get in a rush. If you have a wife/girlfriend that sews, ask for her advice. She may be of more help than you know. Make sure all your tacking strips are in good shape. Using old tack strips is a recipe for a headliner to come loose down the road. If they won't hold a staple securely replace them. Use the modern vinyl tack strip material that is sold by Drake and other vendors.
If it's a LeBaron-Bonney headliner they generally have good instructions. If it's from somebody else you will have to come here for more help. Some companies just sell the product and leave you to your own devices to install it.
 
Check the measurements between the listings and the bows to make sure they are the same spacing before tacking.
 
Thanks for all the great ideas guys. I will attempt this job myself, encouraged by those of you who report that it can be done by a 'non-upholsterer'!
 
The photos below are of my DIY efforts (the first time; I've done several more since), however, being old school, I use tacks as originally used.
 

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The rods are called listing rods. In the factory the rods were steel. On old cars the headliner was designed to be tacked up without a wire. I'm thinking to use the rods in the old headliners they would have to be sewn in a different way.
 
The later cars used metal rods but they had no wood to tack to. The wire may not have been used originally in the old wood top cars but it is a damn good idea for keeping things straight during the process. It would be more difficult without them for sure. It's one of those jobs that takes more than two hands to hold things and many of us may not have a wife or friend that will help do the holding.
 
With the wires I've found that it is a job that can be handled with only two hands, at least with the headliners that come from LeBaron Bonney.
 
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