When we did the interior of our 60 we wanted the headliner to match the seats so we bought a replacement headliner from Dennis Carpenter and bought some vinyl that matched the seats. We then bought some spray adhesive designed to be used for attaching automobile interior. This worked fine for a couple years but now the vinyl is de-laminating and sagging.

We used 1081 Spray Trim Adhesive, Professional Quality (see picture). It lists several applications and Headliners is one of them.

I want to re-do it but I want a solution that will certainly last longer than a few years!

Any ideas or experiences on this?

 

If you attached it to an abs headliner backer, I'm guessing that it might need to be roughed up a bit to give it some tooth for the glue to stick to. I hope to be putting in an abs head liner soon, so I'll know to rough it up a bit. Also, I believe 3M makes as adhesive for this purpose; you might try it.

 

The heat from the sun plus constant gravity are the 2 enemies of headliner material. Insulating the roof before installing the headliner will help reduce the heat. I haven't found an otc glue much superior than what you are using but be sure to let it get real tacky on both surfaces before marrying them together. Have you considered a different material other than vinyl that would (probably) stay attached better/longer?

 

I didn't use ABS, I used the material that looks like Masonite.

 

What kind of material would you suggest? I also wonder if the vinyl shrinks too much during the winter and pulls away. The truck spends more time in the garage than in the sun and it was loose when I first drove it this spring.

When we did this both sides were extremely tacky, I wonder if the backing from the vinyl is coming loose, I have not taken it down yet.

 

Well, there is headliner material. Go to an upholstery shop place and see what they recommend.

 

Walston,I'm guessing the problem isn't in the adhesive,though I'd always prefer the 3M version,nor with the vinyl.It problem is most likely the cardboardish headliner you tried to stick it to.It has a flakey sort of coating,it does absorb moisture,and if it's the perforated type,that can allow moisture through.Not that there's much humidity in Ohio......

 

I have always used the 3m adhesive and it has stood the test of time.
Weight and moisture are combined with gravity and it lands on your head when making a right turn at 40 mph....LOL

 

Its almost impossible to get any kind of vinyl to stick to an ABS headliner. Its too much weight overhead too much area plus that spray glue aint worth a nickel for such a job. It takes real glue for that kind of a job and even they usually fall down within a short time. Even if you use "trim weight" vinyl which is alot lighter than what is in the seats it doesnt like to bond to an overhead surface that big. Unless you have an overhead console and some other stuff to help hold the sucker in some key places. That all being said, you can use regular foambacked late model headliner material and it will stay. That is what it is designed for, it is lightweight and absorbs the glue well. I know it deterioates and falls down after a while but it is easy to work with and looks great as long as you baby it. I hope this helps, and dont sound too bad but we've had alot of folks talk us into puttin vinyl headliners in to old trucks and such with ABS boards. I've finally learned unless you make it a stitched type and put bows in it it WONT stay up. It will bite you in the butt every time and cost you time.

 

Terry,
I had planned to buy the standard cardboard panel kit for my 49 and then cover it with the headliner material. What glue do you recommend and will it work with the original cardboard?

 

When you say "headliner material" are you talkin about what I call foam backed headliner headliner material? Its like the modern cars and trucks have in them. If this is what you are referring to, then the spray glue will work, BUT make dog gone sure that you do it on a low humidity day. We're coming into the time of the year when that is very posible. Spray BOTH pieces with glue (The material and the cardboard) and get someone to help you to "float" the material over it then let it down slowly and stick it and smooth it out. I dont let it dry and get "tacky" like the directions say, cause I feel like it holds better if you leave it a little wet and sticky. You can also lay the material on the board and fold it in half and spray it on the board and spray it on the material and then smooth it out. That way you can work it quickly and do it wetter and alot quicker. This is probably the best way if you dont have any help and sometimes if you have too much help........... anyway, the goal is to make sure it STICKS!!! You might want to get some extra material and glue it to some scrap cardboard and experiment cardboard is cheap. After you get it glued to the face of the board then turn it over and leave it long enough to fold over and spray glue on the back of the board and material and fold it over and press it down firmly. You'll want to take a smooth putty knife (no burrs and hopefully a thick one) and run it around any indentions or folds in the board. Good luck dude

 

Thanks Terry, that is exactly what happened, the glue just let go. I took it out this weekend and the original headliner is intact, the glue just gave up.

I'll look into the foam back, or maybe just ABS that is the correct texture and color to start with.

Thanks

 

The experts I have checked with all say use a "HHR Adhesive" High Heat Resistant
The suggest either the DAP Top and Trim or 3M Top and Trim.

That would make sense especially if you have not insulated your roof. The temperatures can be well in excess of 100 degrees inside a closed car on a hot sunny day.

Also, if you are applying to either a concave or convex surface, glue on portion at a time. Start withe center of the curved area then work your way outward. They also said NEVER use the spray aerosol adhesive as it is too thin to hold a headliner.