The Ford Barn

jack99 · 04-01-2013, 09:45 AM

Has anyone ever installed a headliner in a four door sedan?
How difficult is it?
Do you have to remove the trim that abuts the rood liner?
Any info would be helpfull.
Thanks

eagle · 04-01-2013, 09:53 AM

Yes. Not difficult. Yes. Use the old one as a pattern. Preferably use a fabric with some stretch to it. Too much stretch can make it more difficult. I did mine, including the panels down to the bottom of the windows in a day. Turned out nice but not perfect, next one would be much easier. One yard of semi-stretchable fabric was wide enough so I could run it lengthwise, its nip-and-tuck but is easier than sewing the pieces together. At the seams in the roof, I just sewed a loop and nailed/tacked that to the bows. Use brass nails if you need to ever put a nail in that the head will be exposed on. That way if you ever get any moisture, the nail head won't rust and make a stain on the fabric. I had to have a few exposed heads although they sink into the fabric and pretty much dissapear.

jrelliott · 04-01-2013, 10:53 AM

It is not difficult if you start with a gutted interior like I did. Work from the back to the front and take your time. Got the headliner from Barron LeBonney and fit great. If you have all the inside upholstery pieces on the sides and back could be a problem getting all these pieces out of the way to install the headliner.

59mgaguy · 04-01-2013, 11:20 AM

Just remember when doing the headliner keep it smooth with no puckers where you tack at the top bows. Also when nailing through the fabric bring the nail just below then separate with a needle to cover the nail. If your covering you seats use an old bumper jack to compress the spring then hog ring the material.

Charles Coe · 04-01-2013, 11:22 AM

I did one on a Tudor. After I had it in place, I had to adjust here and there to make it smooth and tight. So I would recommend not sinking the tacks around the edges all the way until you are sure it's like you want it.

Super88 · 04-01-2013, 02:30 PM

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I read somewhere that it's easier to put the headliner in before you replace the roof. Is there any truth to that? I have to do both, so it would be nice to do it in the order that will make things easier.

59mgaguy · 04-01-2013, 02:37 PM

Super88

Sure is at lest you can stand up between the bow.

Bob/Kansas City · 04-01-2013, 04:12 PM

Yes, that side trim above the doors has to be removed first.
Fold the headliner material in half lengthwise and mark the center with chalk on the back. Then measure the windshield header, top bows and the header over the rear window from side to side and mark the center of each so you can match the centerline of the fabric with the center of each bow and header.
Start tacking the headliner at the front windshield header and move back from bow to bow until you end at the header over the rear window.
Start tacking in the center of each bow and tack as you move outward to each side keeping the headliner taught but not stretched too tight.
When you put the interior panels that go over the door back in they will draw the headliner tight if you've done everything right.
It's not hard but it takes some planning!
Good luck.

04-01-2013, 09:45 AM	#1
jack99 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bridgehampton, NY Posts: 125	Headliner install information Has anyone ever installed a headliner in a four door sedan? How difficult is it? Do you have to remove the trim that abuts the rood liner? Any info would be helpfull. Thanks

04-01-2013, 09:53 AM	#2
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,027	Re: Headliner install information Yes. Not difficult. Yes. Use the old one as a pattern. Preferably use a fabric with some stretch to it. Too much stretch can make it more difficult. I did mine, including the panels down to the bottom of the windows in a day. Turned out nice but not perfect, next one would be much easier. One yard of semi-stretchable fabric was wide enough so I could run it lengthwise, its nip-and-tuck but is easier than sewing the pieces together. At the seams in the roof, I just sewed a loop and nailed/tacked that to the bows. Use brass nails if you need to ever put a nail in that the head will be exposed on. That way if you ever get any moisture, the nail head won't rust and make a stain on the fabric. I had to have a few exposed heads although they sink into the fabric and pretty much dissapear.

04-01-2013, 10:53 AM	#3
jrelliott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pine, AZ Posts: 797	Re: Headliner install information It is not difficult if you start with a gutted interior like I did. Work from the back to the front and take your time. Got the headliner from Barron LeBonney and fit great. If you have all the inside upholstery pieces on the sides and back could be a problem getting all these pieces out of the way to install the headliner.

04-01-2013, 11:20 AM	#4
59mgaguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 114	Re: Headliner install information Just remember when doing the headliner keep it smooth with no puckers where you tack at the top bows. Also when nailing through the fabric bring the nail just below then separate with a needle to cover the nail. If your covering you seats use an old bumper jack to compress the spring then hog ring the material.

04-01-2013, 11:22 AM	#5
Charles Coe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pace, FL near Pensacola Posts: 374	Re: Headliner install information I did one on a Tudor. After I had it in place, I had to adjust here and there to make it smooth and tight. So I would recommend not sinking the tacks around the edges all the way until you are sure it's like you want it.

04-01-2013, 02:30 PM	#6
Super88 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SE Corner of WI Posts: 169	Re: Headliner install information Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I read somewhere that it's easier to put the headliner in before you replace the roof. Is there any truth to that? I have to do both, so it would be nice to do it in the order that will make things easier.

04-01-2013, 02:37 PM	#7
59mgaguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 114	Re: Headliner install information Super88 Sure is at lest you can stand up between the bow.

04-01-2013, 04:12 PM	#8
Bob/Kansas City Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 340	Re: Headliner install information Yes, that side trim above the doors has to be removed first. Fold the headliner material in half lengthwise and mark the center with chalk on the back. Then measure the windshield header, top bows and the header over the rear window from side to side and mark the center of each so you can match the centerline of the fabric with the center of each bow and header. Start tacking the headliner at the front windshield header and move back from bow to bow until you end at the header over the rear window. Start tacking in the center of each bow and tack as you move outward to each side keeping the headliner taught but not stretched too tight. When you put the interior panels that go over the door back in they will draw the headliner tight if you've done everything right. It's not hard but it takes some planning! Good luck.