Help....please
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Hartford Kentucky
Help....please
Hey guys, I've got a bit of a problem. We took our hardtop off our 60 to be restored and it set for quite sometime. The headliner was in great shape being original (just needed dyeing) but it has a big indent on the inside where it set on a rubber saw horse. The material is dented in and we are hoping someone knows if that can be fixed. Does this question make any sense
.
After fooling with this car for so long.....nothing makes sense
Thanks
Tina
.After fooling with this car for so long.....nothing makes sense
Thanks
Tina
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Yes your question makes sense.
You have compressed the backing bonded to the headliner.
I suppose you could try setting it out in the sun, but I'm not optimistic you can repair this. After 48 years, the backing to the headliner may be prone to disintegration when pressure is applied to it (like resting on a rubber saw horse).
You may have to replace it.
You have compressed the backing bonded to the headliner.
I suppose you could try setting it out in the sun, but I'm not optimistic you can repair this. After 48 years, the backing to the headliner may be prone to disintegration when pressure is applied to it (like resting on a rubber saw horse).
You may have to replace it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Hartford Kentucky
Thanks Jeff,
Gotta tell ya, I was hoping for a better reply
I actually did get a new liner and not only do I not like it because I don't think the quality is good.....but I aready ruined it
. No joke, Messed it up the first day. Go ahead laugh, it probably won't be the last one.
Anyway, just thought there might be some miracle fix.
Gotta tell ya, I was hoping for a better reply
I actually did get a new liner and not only do I not like it because I don't think the quality is good.....but I aready ruined it. No joke, Messed it up the first day. Go ahead laugh, it probably won't be the last one.Anyway, just thought there might be some miracle fix.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 12
From: Plymouth Massachusetts
A number of years ago I replaced the headliner in my 61. The way to end up with a very nice installation required the use of heat and moisture, and manipulation with my hand. Unfortunately your headliner is old and the material may not respond. As a last resort I'd carefully try a hair dryer ,working around the dented area with your fingers. If that is not hot enough you could CAREFULLY use a heat gun but if not careful you could burn or melt the headliner. This method works to a certain degree with vinyl convertible tops to remove wrinkles and bumps but in that case you can get to the backside which responds well to the heat and moisture. Good luck if you try it, but there are no guarantees.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Hartford Kentucky
Well I guess nothing will repair the old one, tried, not working. Also done ruined the new one. So now today I learn that they have them molded. I would have gladly paid the $200.00 more for one that I'm pretty sure even I would couldn;t mess up too bad.
It would have been nice to know
It would have been nice to know
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Sorry it didn't work out.
But you just can't compress soft things for extended periods. Ever moved your end-table off of your carpeting, only to find indents in the carpet that won't come out?
Same thing happened to your top.
At least now you'll be able to put a cool new liner in your top.
I threw away the new liner for my hardtop because I bought it in 1982 when I was restoring my car, and stored it in the house, laying flat under a couch in a spare room. After 6 years or so the foam backing had dried out from the air-conditioned storage and I had to throw away this perfectly new and unused, but decaying top.
I've also had to throw away a $4,000 paint job and get one of my cars repainted for more money by a skilled craftsman after the butcher/thief that I took my car to first, took my money and screwed up my car. I spent 10 years and $15,000 getting a different car painted properly, repainting 3 times until I got tired of telling my body guy to fix the door dings that he could never fix.
Things happen. If the worst thing that happens in your restoration is that you have to purchase several hard top headliners, color yourself lucky.
But you just can't compress soft things for extended periods. Ever moved your end-table off of your carpeting, only to find indents in the carpet that won't come out?
Same thing happened to your top.
At least now you'll be able to put a cool new liner in your top.
I threw away the new liner for my hardtop because I bought it in 1982 when I was restoring my car, and stored it in the house, laying flat under a couch in a spare room. After 6 years or so the foam backing had dried out from the air-conditioned storage and I had to throw away this perfectly new and unused, but decaying top.
I've also had to throw away a $4,000 paint job and get one of my cars repainted for more money by a skilled craftsman after the butcher/thief that I took my car to first, took my money and screwed up my car. I spent 10 years and $15,000 getting a different car painted properly, repainting 3 times until I got tired of telling my body guy to fix the door dings that he could never fix.
Things happen. If the worst thing that happens in your restoration is that you have to purchase several hard top headliners, color yourself lucky.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,424
Likes: 8,875
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Thanks Jeff,
Gotta tell ya, I was hoping for a better reply I actually did get a new liner and not only do I not like it because I don't think the quality is good.....but I aready ruined it. No joke, Messed it up the first day. Go ahead laugh, it probably won't be the last one.
Anyway, just thought there might be some miracle fix.
Gotta tell ya, I was hoping for a better reply
I actually did get a new liner and not only do I not like it because I don't think the quality is good.....but I aready ruined it. No joke, Messed it up the first day. Go ahead laugh, it probably won't be the last one.Anyway, just thought there might be some miracle fix.
I don't have a miracle fix but I do have a suggestion that would apply if either of your hardtop liners can be salvaged with heat.
First, do NOT use any kind of heat gun or hair dryer. You can't control the temperature these things inflict on the vinyl and they will get plenty hot.
Second, DO use a wet towel and a household iron. Put the towel directly on the vinyl and lightly "iron" it. Keep the towel wet as you do this and the temperature seen by the vinyl will never exceed 212F (unless you live below sea level).
Good luck!
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Hartford Kentucky
Okay Jim, you sure knew your fuel injections, so I'll give the old iron a try. It won't hurt. If nothing else, I'll remember what Jeff said about going through a couple of liners. I guess it could be worse
But what's the deal with these molded liners verses rolled up ones? Why would they offer one and not the other?
But what's the deal with these molded liners verses rolled up ones? Why would they offer one and not the other?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
They said to place ice cubes on the carpet and let them sit there until they melt and the dents would come out. I never tried it, so I don't know if this will work or not. Good luck, I hope it works.