headliner replacement

[eschober]

Does anyone know the correct siz/type of staples used when replacing the headliner on a 1960?

[YellowRose]

headliner replacement

Hi Ewald,

If you use the search engine and search for headliner staples or maybe it was "headliner staples" you should find this lists of threads on the subjecting of replacing and installing a headliner. Including information about staples. Those used by Ford back then do not seem to be available any longer. Alexander said he used regular 3/16" staples for a staple gun. Look through the other threads listed also. They may be some help to you.

http://www.squarebirds.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=10183

[DKheld]

I installed my headliner myself. I used a poly fabric between the roof and headliner for added heat and sound blockage since I couldn't find more of the "stuff" Ford used - mine was in good shape just wanted a little more insulation. The poly fabric weighed next to nothing so didn't think it would make it sag and so far so good. (4-5 years?) The paper tack strips were still in good shape on mine so didn't have to replace them. I tried 4-5 different electric staplers and 4-5 different size staples but never could get them to work. Even went to a hardware store and bought the biggest baddest electric stapler they had - no luck.

Went by a trim shop that a friend recommended and he laughed at trying to use an electric stapler. He let me borrow his air stapler and it went very easily. He gave me his box of staples too but I don't remember what size they were other than they fit his gun. Only advice I can give is to cut the initial hole for the light very small if it is not already cut out - almost cut mine too big the first shot because of shrinkage when steaming the wrinkles out. The headliner shrank more toward the front so the hole "moved" to the front of the car.

I ordered a headliner from one of the parts houses and it was waaaay off in color. Very white compared to mine and there was no difference in color in mine between the exposed parts and the parts hidden from sunlight for 40 years behind the chrome trim. Took the original to an upholstery shop and had them match the color and grain. Came out great and was only $25 more than the one I ordered.

Eric
registry 5347

[lake bird]

new headliner sags in the middle 60 tbird

tried a heat gun didn't get aggressive no change in sag between two middle rib wires....what kind of stream gun should I use, does the headliner respond to the steam better than a heat gun ?
Lakebird/Rockwall,Tx

[jopizz]

A heat gun or steam will only remove small wrinkles. If you have a sag that means that you need to pull the headliner tight and restaple at either the front, back or sides.

John

[Yadkin]

I bought a cheap air-powered staple gun at Harbor Freight to install mine. They have a variety of stable sizes- choose the one that fits the material that you are stapling to.

My 64 had carboard strips that were deteriorate. I found a hard rubber product about the same cross section and replaced all of it.

[c4clewis]

Be careful and don't get it too tight before you put in the trim. The trim takes up more slack than you might think and if the headliner is stapled too tightly the windshield center trim "may" cause it to tear...so I've heard...from a friend.