Hardtop Project

[john4337]

Time for another update. I decided i wanted a more finished look than a spray in finish, so I took a run at headliner.

I primed the inside and scuffed with 150 grit to (hopefully) give the adhesive something to grab



For material I used this, perforated textured vinyl with 1/8 foam backing to help hide my uneven fiberglass work. I ordered 3 yards.



In it goes. I ended up using 3 large sections, and a smaller piece at the windscreen. Lots of compound curves in there.



This is the windscreen section. I used a length of rope glued in to create a bead and to get the curves I needed.





Next the windows go back in. They didn’t go back anywhere as easily as they came out.



I apparently changed the shape of the back window opening enough to cause issues, so I made a pattern and trimmed the window some.



Once it was back in, I tucked the material behind the window gaskets, and made some beading to cover the seams, ending up with this.

[kitcarbp]

Very nice work on the headliner. When I was completing my hardtop I decided to use a black headliner foam material and cut it from a single piece, the goal was no seams. I painstakingly applied glue in sections , clamped and stretched ….repeat. Now note that I have never ever made a headliner before this attempt. My gallery shows the results. It turn out just average since I was unable to avoid wrinkles in the back corners using 1 piece. I’m convinced my process was flawed. Thankfully when the top is on since it’s black , and in a shadow , the wrinkles are hard to see. But I know they’re there. So I can appreciate this craftsmanship. Nice. Oh and my rear window install left my fingers bruised and battered but it’s been in now for 3 years and hasn’t blown out with 80 mph highway driving. Yet.

[john4337]

Originally Posted by kitcarbp

Very nice work on the headliner. When I was completing my hardtop I decided to use a black headliner foam material and cut it from a single piece, the goal was no seams. I painstakingly applied glue in sections , clamped and stretched ….repeat. Now note that I have never ever made a headliner before this attempt. My gallery shows the results. It turn out just average since I was unable to avoid wrinkles in the back corners using 1 piece. I’m convinced my process was flawed. Thankfully when the top is on since it’s black , and in a shadow , the wrinkles are hard to see. But I know they’re there. So I can appreciate this craftsmanship. Nice. Oh and my rear window install left my fingers bruised and battered but it’s been in now for 3 years and hasn’t blown out with 80 mph highway driving. Yet.

Thanks, I was planning on a one piece headliner too, but just too many compound inside curves to not have a bunch of wrinkles, so 3 pieces it is. And I agree, those windows were a chore, tool most of 2 days to get them in, including lots of breaks to rest the fingers. Tough job.

[john4337]

[john4337]

All the mounting hardware is on, so I guess this is the final post on this. Thanks to everyone for all the kind words, encouragement and for following along.

[PDUB]

Congrats on seeing it through to fruition! Great job!

[indianamoon]

Very nice job, impressive work!!

[jknich]

Excellent craftsmanship !