Headliner edging

[shipljl]

I'm ready to install my headliner but am not sure how the edge of the cloth is handled. I've seen pictures where it appears to be glued (I presume) and stapled in place at the top of the door frame. Are there supposed to be trim pieces covering the staples? Mine didn't come with any. If so, what did the trim look like? At the front, was it stapled to the wood then covered with a trim piece? How about in the D-windows?

I am having a hard time finding pictures that answer my questions so if you have any they would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

[Pearson]

Re: Headliner edging

My headliner was held to the wood over the door by a narrow strip of metal about 7/16" wide. It had tiny holes drilled through it with small brass nails drive into the wood through the holes. Across the front it was stapled and then a strip of the headliner material was glued over the staples. I guess they got the strip of material from trimming the headliner. Where the headliner came in contact with the baggage liner behind the seat, it was just glued. Hope this helps. I don't have any pictures. Mine doesn't have the D window, so I can't help you there.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Headliner edging

You need to go to an auto upholsterer and look at how they do it. The guy I work with told me upholstery is all about hiding things and he was really good at it. There are several systems they use and they are almost impossible to describe (especially the really good ones).
Many use a metal strip that nails to the wood and then the edge of the headliner is wrapped around another strip that clips to the one on the wood. Nice clean edge with no visible attachment.
Mine uses a plastic edging material that has a pull down edge where the nails go. Once it is nailed the plastic edge lays over the nail heads and hides them. That was what I thought looked most like the old photos I had. There are also several types of "u" shaped edging with small teeth that the fabric is pushed into and hooks to fasteners nailed to the wood.
Go down to an upholsterer and take a look. You can pick what you like and the options are fascinating!
Hank

[Edwin Otha]

Re: Headliner edging

You might try Upholstery Hidem. It's got two little beaded areas that open slightly to hide the tacks or staples.
EO

[shipljl]

Re: Headliner edging

Thanks for the suggestions and ideas. I have a much better idea on how to handle this now.

[Buell Powell]

Re: Headliner edging

Hope you have the headliner installed by now but thought this picture of how my 41 is done might help. It has welting attached under the metal strips which are screwed to the wood door frames to finish out the headliner edges.