head liner install questions

[Jims50chrysler]

So I am looking ahead to when it comes time to do my headliner and was curious about a few things.

Is it a difficult job?

Does the glass have to be out to replace the headliner?

Is JC Whitney just as good as anyone else as far as fit and finish?

Where do you get the edge trim (piping?) that outlines the doors and such?

Been working alot this last little while no time in the shop so I have only been able to "look ahead" and purchase the stuff I am going to need.

Thanks

JIm

[Norm's Coupe]

I bought the headliner and complete interior from JC Whitney. Everything fit like a glove. I bought the leatherette seat covers and vinyl headliner. However, they also have the original nap type if that's what you want. The piping as you called it for around the doors, etc. is called "Windlace". You can buy that to match the headliner when you order your headliner. It all comes from the same place.

You do not need to remove the glass. You will need to remove the inside window molding around the windshield, rear window molding and quarter window molding if a coupe. However, when you remove the old headliner, make sure you keep the bows in the order they came out. They are not all the same length, so they have to go back in the same spot they were originally.

It's not a hard job to do either.

[David Maxwell]

A couple of them are almost the same size and it drove me nuts trying to put mine back in. I kept switching the order and it never seemed to match up. Finally got it, but save yourself the pain and label them with tape as you take them down.

[Jims50chrysler]

speaking of bows should the rubber "gromets" on each side hold the bows from rotating without a headliner in....I guess what I am asking is untill I get my headliner installed should I leave the bows in or should I identify them in order and put them on a shelf?

Jim

[55 Fargo]

Now I find this out, is there a way or method to figure the order back out, I was never good at Rubix cube either............Fred ps I have a parts coupe with the bows still in place, I could pull these out 1 at a time and use them I suppose.

[Normspeed]

My bows were out when I got my wagon, and a really close examination of the top sides of the bows revealed some faint stamped numbers/letters that helped me get them back in right. I've still never installed the new headliner that came with the car though.

[David Maxwell]

...only two of mine had them. Even with the numbers, it doesn't tell you if they start front to back or back to front. I think I had numbers 4 and 6 and then there was an X or something. The rest were blank.

[randroid]

Gents,

On the topic of bows, my '48 P-15 is missing a few. Is there a source for new ones or should I try to make my own?

-Randy

[40phil41]

All of the headliner bows in my '40 are numbered. Since mine had been around without a headliner for a long time, and so were quite rusty, I wire brushed them and painted them with POR-15 rust paint. The rubber gromets came from a local auto store (Canadian Tire). I just measured one of the old ones that was close to being intact and was able to find the same size. I also used POR-15 on the inside of the roof.

Phil

[David Maxwell]

...POR15. I then covered that with Dynamat and then a layer of the foil backed bubble insulation. Works great and I'm not worried about my headliner getting stained or smelling.

[Norm's Coupe]

The bows should be numbered as mentioned. However, if they were replacement bows they may not be numbered as David Maxwell pointed out. At any rate, if all are numbered; Number #1 goes closest to the windshield, then in sequence to the rear of the car.

Since you can't see the numbers until you look close, it's best to label them as you take them out.

[Heavy Flat Head]

Remember to clean the rust off and than paint the bows. The car I bought had a new interior, but the headliner has stains. One day I had a bright idea by reading on this site. The person who installed the headliner most likley did not remove the rust from the bows. Morel of the story I get to redo the headliner.

I wonder if it can be cleaned?

Ed.

[Norm's Coupe]

Good point Ed. That's really how I discovered the bows were numbered. I had tagged them when I took them out. Once I wire brushed all the crud off the first one, I then was able to see the numbers.

[randroid]

Gents,

About ten years ago I had my headliner out to make re-wiring the rear possible and I noticed there were one or two on the rods missing. Not realizing they were different sizes I yanked them out and reinstalled them after the wiring job got done. I didn't know there was a difference in their lengths so brute force and awkwardness took the day, but I came away thinking they must be made of piano wire or something close to it.

When I paint my '48 P-15 next Spring I'm going to pull the headliner again to paint and soundproof the roof and I'll fix them then (along with some of the new wiring, but practice makes perfect, eh?). I would like to know what I'm getting up against before I take the plunge just to find out I'll need something special that will take a week to get.

(BTW - I really dislike my upholstery and will replace it eventually, but in the meantime it exactly matches the colors I want to paint the car.)

So, anybody know what the actual metal is, and its diameter? I can measure the lengths and find grommets to fit, but how far past the grommet does the rod extend in an NOS installation? It shouldn't need to go farther than the end of the grommet, I wouldn't think.

Thanks,

-Randy

[Plymouthy Adams]

by design they are not just wires....they are a specific ribbed design to give excellent strength to retain their shape and stay tight in place. My guess is spring steel. These are specific lengths and are lettered/numbered...some of these will interchange between models but rarely in the same position as the donor/receiver car. To begin your search for replament rods now would be prudent as there are a few of these cars being parted out on this forum. Anyone here with a car that has the rods exposed could do the forum a favor by inspecting their rods and reporting the number and location of each front to rear....I know the Sedan uses a couple of the same rods in them..not sure about the coupe though..

it is also an excellent time to de-rust and seal the rods with a product like POR 15 or flavor of your chice to prevent any accidental staining int he future..

Somewhere here I have the correct order for the Plymouth 4 door sedan..but finding it on a moments notice..hardly likely..am not sure if on the computer or in the book in the car...if I run across it will post this for all to copy.

[Young Ed]

You're welcome Tim

Randy what model of car do you have? I should have some 4dr ones in the spring. They are a pain to package without damage but I did manage to send a set down to Georgia.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Ed..I apologize...it is from him I got this correct order and a set of rods...I meant to mention that but guess it worked out of my flow of thought...it is an experience getting them aligned by trial and error...

[Young Ed]

No problem Tim just messing around with ya. That parts car served its brand very well. Before I got to it some parts were already gone including some door handles to the UK (Robin?) then I've passed parts on to quite a few people and a few are on my car currently.

[randroid]

dodgepu1946,

My car is a 4-door P-15 currently parked out back with a tarp over it because I've already started removing some of the windows. As soon as the temp gets above 40 I'll try to determine which one(s) I need by feel.

Thanks!

-Randy

[Young Ed]

Sounds good maybe it will be warm enough to pull them by then.

[Norm's Coupe]

Guys,

For those missing some or all of the bows, you can get bows from I believe Atlas Headliner in California. Think I have a catalog from them someplace. I'll check and make sure of the company name, etc. Not sure if the bows come already cut to size, but they are available.

[Don Coatney]

Guys' date='

For those missing some or all of the bows, you can get bows from I believe Atlas Headliner in California. Think I have a catalog from them someplace. I'll check and make sure of the company name, etc. Not sure if the bows come already cut to size, but they are available.[/quote']

Is there a web page for Atlas Headliner? Only thing I found was Atlas Obsolete Motor Parts

[Don Coatney]

Is there a web page for Atlas Headliner? Only thing I found was Atlas Obsolete Motor Parts

I think I found it. The company is Acme Headliners not Atlas.

[Norm's Coupe]

Don,

I could have got the name wrong. I'll check, it might be Acme. However, the headliner company I mentioned did not have a web site. I'll have to do a little digging to look it up.

That said, if you order a headliner from JC Whitney, it comes from the same place.

[Don Coatney]

Don' date='

I could have got the name wrong. I'll check, it might be Acme. However, the headliner company I mentioned did not have a web site. I'll have to do a little digging to look it up.

That said, if you order a headliner from JC Whitney, it comes from the same place.[/quote']

Some forum members have recently experianced delivery problems when orgering vehical specific parts from JC Whitney. Plus why pay fees to a middle man when you can buy directly from the source?