The Ford Barn

Ken B · 06-02-2014, 06:00 PM

We came back yesterday from a wonderful car show through a very strong wind and rain storm. Something hit the top of our car and broke one of the wood bows. The roof then started to leak badly. When I got home I started a fan and dehumidifier in the car and pulled out the seats also to check how far the water traveled. My question is: Can the headliner be cleaned to remove the water stains that were created from the leaking roof without shrinking it or damaging the 84 year old fabric? I would prefer this option to replacing it as the interior is all original. My insurance adjuster said the it could be replaced along with the top and bow but I would rather keep it original. The headliner isn't ripped at all but rather the water pulled out all the dirt, smoke, etc... and have created large stains on it now that it is drying.

pooch · 06-02-2014, 06:03 PM

Don't ya wish that pure rain water could get stains out of house carpet or lounges so easy .

mshmodela · 06-02-2014, 06:23 PM

Oh, sorry about your bit of bad luck, good luck with the repair.

Dal's Dream Car · 06-02-2014, 06:53 PM

You would probably have to take the whole headliner out anyhow. Maybe a good dry cleaner could bring it back for you?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 06-02-2014, 07:31 PM

Nothing lasts FOREVER, just look at me!! There comes a time when you HAVE to give up on original stuff. "MAYBE" you could find an "OFF" color fabric that might blend in with the rest of the original upholstery. The headliner is sort of a "plain Jane" flannel like material, that's available in MANY colors. Check samples at your local upholstery shop.--Bill W.

P.S. · 06-02-2014, 08:30 PM

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I'm so sorry that happened, Ken.

Unfortunately, without removing the headliner, not much you can do. You could try steam, but you still have the same problem, and it will never match exactly.

Again, very very sorry. I know how you feel.

Ken B · 06-02-2014, 08:46 PM

I do plan on removing the headliner and see if there is a cleaning method that won't harm the 84 year old fabric. I will also need to replace the broken bow and replace the top. I was told that there is an upholstery shop nearby that might be able to clean it. I am sure that there is moisture trapped in the roof wadding yet that will need replacing also.

insomniacshotrods · 06-02-2014, 10:03 PM

Good luck , hope it works out for you.

w.michael · 06-02-2014, 10:28 PM

You need to contact a museum that has a textile expert/fabric conservator. They may be able to help you or give you some free advice. Don't just chunk it into the washing machine, or hand it to a dry cleaner who is not an expert in fabrics and willing to do some research before trying what "might" work.

It looks like you have a beautiful original interior, and I hope you can save the headliner. I would rather have a slightly stained original than a spotless replacement.

W. Michael

Mike V. Florida · 06-02-2014, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal's Dream Car

You would probably have to take the whole headliner out anyhow. Maybe a good dry cleaner could bring it back for you?

That is what i was thinking. As you have to remove it anyway to repair the broken top bow you have nothing to lose.

Vendors sell just the top bows.

700rpm · 06-02-2014, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w.michael

You need to contact a museum that has a textile expert/fabric conservator. They may be able to help you or give you some free advice. Don't just chunk it into the washing machine, or hand it to a dry cleaner who is not an expert in fabrics and willing to do some research before trying what "might" work.

W. Michael

That would be my suggestion also. Most dry cleaners have a fixed method for everything, and no interest in doing specialty work.

juke joint johnny · 06-03-2014, 03:24 AM

I think W. Michael and 700 rpm are on the right track !!!
Some of the museums deal with Tapestries that are 2-300 years old they wil know a specialist who can clean it .

Good Luck and let us know how you get on .
John Cochran

Mike V. Florida · 06-03-2014, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal's Dream Car

You would probably have to take the whole headliner out anyhow. Maybe a good dry cleaner could bring it back for you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by juke joint johnny

I think W. Michael and 700 rpm are on the right track !!!
Some of the museums deal with Tapestries that are 2-300 years old they wil know a specialist who can clean it .

Good Luck and let us know how you get on .
John Cochran

How much does anyone think a specialist will charge? Here is a contact.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_12481395

C26Pinelake · 06-03-2014, 05:39 AM

One thing you know for sure is that after it is cleaned it will be a much different color than you remember it. After all it had 85 years of dirt and smoke imbedded in it. So if itis going to be different why not just buy a new one ? Do you not have insurance on the car and if so I am sure the comprehensive will cover the damage and a professional does the repairs.
Good. Luck, Wayne

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 06-03-2014, 06:03 AM

The biggest issue I think you will have is working with a piece of material where the selvage and excess has been removed. I suppose a piece of extra could be sewn on the extreme edges to pull with but this is going to be tedious. It is likely doable, -just time consuming.

Tom Wesenberg · 06-03-2014, 08:25 AM

I can't help with this unfortunate mess, but last year I bought a large plastic tarp and bungee cords to carry in my car, just in case I get caught in a bad rain. I'll park the car off road and quickly cover it, rather than continue in the rain.

1930artdeco · 06-03-2014, 09:03 AM

Sorry about your luck Ken. How about this idea. If it can be cleaned-and it can. Since the insurance company is going to pay for a replacement go for it. BUT, keep the original and send it to MAFFI. This way you have a matching interior and the original interior is kept in one piece in a museum.

Mike

tbirdtbird · 06-03-2014, 09:43 AM

The University of Rhode Island has a Textile and Fashion Merchandising Department (TMD).

They are well-versed in historic fabrics. Why not give a call and see what they might suggest? Or where they might send you? A call to them would be free.

http://www.uri.edu/hss/tmd/faculty.html

What a shame to happen to a nice original car

Ray in La Mesa · 06-03-2014, 09:44 AM

One source for fabric knowledge is our distaff side. Check with some of the fashion experts about cleaning vintage material, that's what they do with some of the original clothes.

BlueSunoco · 06-03-2014, 10:48 AM

I just don't see how 84 year old fabric will be 'right' again after a cleaning. At 84 years old, that fabric will not be workable and besides, it will be 100 years old here pretty soon. It's outlived it's usefulness. Prone to breakage, ripping, etc.

I'd save the old stuff, give it to the MAFFI museum if they wanted it, and have new installed.

06-02-2014, 06:03 PM	#2
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: storm damage Don't ya wish that pure rain water could get stains out of house carpet or lounges so easy .

06-02-2014, 06:23 PM	#3
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: storm damage Oh, sorry about your bit of bad luck, good luck with the repair. __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

06-02-2014, 06:53 PM	#4
Dal's Dream Car Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Alton Bay, NH Posts: 58	Re: storm damage You would probably have to take the whole headliner out anyhow. Maybe a good dry cleaner could bring it back for you?

06-02-2014, 07:31 PM	#5
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: storm damage Nothing lasts FOREVER, just look at me!! There comes a time when you HAVE to give up on original stuff. "MAYBE" you could find an "OFF" color fabric that might blend in with the rest of the original upholstery. The headliner is sort of a "plain Jane" flannel like material, that's available in MANY colors. Check samples at your local upholstery shop.--Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

06-02-2014, 08:30 PM	#6
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,696	Re: storm damage Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm so sorry that happened, Ken. Unfortunately, without removing the headliner, not much you can do. You could try steam, but you still have the same problem, and it will never match exactly. Again, very very sorry. I know how you feel.

06-02-2014, 08:46 PM	#7
Ken B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plover, WI Posts: 261	Re: storm damage I do plan on removing the headliner and see if there is a cleaning method that won't harm the 84 year old fabric. I will also need to replace the broken bow and replace the top. I was told that there is an upholstery shop nearby that might be able to clean it. I am sure that there is moisture trapped in the roof wadding yet that will need replacing also.

06-02-2014, 10:03 PM	#8
insomniacshotrods Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Carthage, Missouri Posts: 267	Re: storm damage Good luck , hope it works out for you. __________________ Enjoy life , it has an expiration date.

06-02-2014, 10:28 PM	#9
w.michael Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 418	Re: storm damage You need to contact a museum that has a textile expert/fabric conservator. They may be able to help you or give you some free advice. Don't just chunk it into the washing machine, or hand it to a dry cleaner who is not an expert in fabrics and willing to do some research before trying what "might" work. It looks like you have a beautiful original interior, and I hope you can save the headliner. I would rather have a slightly stained original than a spotless replacement. W. Michael

06-03-2014, 03:24 AM	#12
juke joint johnny Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London England Posts: 908	Re: storm damage I think W. Michael and 700 rpm are on the right track !!! Some of the museums deal with Tapestries that are 2-300 years old they wil know a specialist who can clean it . Good Luck and let us know how you get on . John Cochran

06-03-2014, 05:39 AM	#14
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: storm damage One thing you know for sure is that after it is cleaned it will be a much different color than you remember it. After all it had 85 years of dirt and smoke imbedded in it. So if itis going to be different why not just buy a new one ? Do you not have insurance on the car and if so I am sure the comprehensive will cover the damage and a professional does the repairs. Good. Luck, Wayne

06-03-2014, 06:03 AM	#15
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,516	Re: storm damage The biggest issue I think you will have is working with a piece of material where the selvage and excess has been removed. I suppose a piece of extra could be sewn on the extreme edges to pull with but this is going to be tedious. It is likely doable, -just time consuming. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

06-03-2014, 08:25 AM	#16
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: storm damage I can't help with this unfortunate mess, but last year I bought a large plastic tarp and bungee cords to carry in my car, just in case I get caught in a bad rain. I'll park the car off road and quickly cover it, rather than continue in the rain.

06-03-2014, 09:03 AM	#17
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: storm damage Sorry about your luck Ken. How about this idea. If it can be cleaned-and it can. Since the insurance company is going to pay for a replacement go for it. BUT, keep the original and send it to MAFFI. This way you have a matching interior and the original interior is kept in one piece in a museum. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

06-03-2014, 09:43 AM	#18
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: storm damage The University of Rhode Island has a Textile and Fashion Merchandising Department (TMD). They are well-versed in historic fabrics. Why not give a call and see what they might suggest? Or where they might send you? A call to them would be free. http://www.uri.edu/hss/tmd/faculty.html What a shame to happen to a nice original car __________________ '31 180A

06-03-2014, 09:44 AM	#19
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: storm damage One source for fabric knowledge is our distaff side. Check with some of the fashion experts about cleaning vintage material, that's what they do with some of the original clothes.

06-03-2014, 10:48 AM	#20
BlueSunoco Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Windy City Posts: 937	Re: storm damage I just don't see how 84 year old fabric will be 'right' again after a cleaning. At 84 years old, that fabric will not be workable and besides, it will be 100 years old here pretty soon. It's outlived it's usefulness. Prone to breakage, ripping, etc. I'd save the old stuff, give it to the MAFFI museum if they wanted it, and have new installed.