Headliner for Tcraft

[avenger1949]

I am Bill Bailey from Wichita Ks and am the proud owner of a 46 Tcart with a 85 cont in it. I am looking for a new headliner for it and was wondering if there was a place that had them ready made or was it easier to have someone make one. Am new to the board but have been reading the posts for a while.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

Hello Bill and welcome!

Try Airtex Interiors...I think they do Taylorcraft headliners.

[avenger1949]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

Thanks I found their web site... and the price looks good. Now I just have to see if I am brave enough to try and replace mine. I have oval skylights in mine which should add to the fun.

[Pearson]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

I recently ordered a headliner from Airtex. It was ordered on April 8th and arrived yesterday. Cost was $239 + tax. They make a quality product, but if I had it to do over again I would use the old one as a pattern and make the new one myself.

[avenger1949]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

I have....nooooooo sewing skills... I do have a friend that makes costumes for our oriental band shrine group... bet she could if I got her the materials. Was just wanting to know what you guys thought was the best way to go. So I guess I would go to a car upholstry shop to buy the materials then, 239 for a complete ready to install headliner really doesn't sound that bad... and all I have is time.

[Pearson]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

Avenger 1949,

If you do go to a car upholstery shop, don't tell them you want material for an airplane. Tell them it is for a boat, or anything else but an airplane. If you have your old headliner to use as a pattern, it is extremely simple to sew.

If you choose to order from Airtex, I would try to get them to give you a firm delivery date. Also make sure you get an order number to use as reference if you call back.

[avenger1949]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

Thanks guys and yes I have learned my lesson about saying anything is for an airplane. I had a very nice and fun VMax a MiniMax with a 1/2 VW in it. Most of the parts for anything I did came for auto parts houses and I mentioned it went in an airplane once and you would have thought I was a car bomber.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

One thing I might mention is, shouldn't the head liner be fire proof!
L

[avenger1949]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

I really have no idea on the fire proof but probably should be. Having said that the covering and paint on the plane sure isn't I don't think.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

Legally, it probably has to be made of fire resistant materials, according to the FAR's.

In a Taylorcraft, if the headliner is on fire...I'll leave the practicalities to you.

[bashibazouk]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

One thing I might mention is, shouldn't the head liner be fire proof!
L

Sure, and the Taylorcraft SHOULD be crash-proof!

I found this quote in an AvWeb article on the subject:

"Flame resistant" means not susceptible to combustion to the point of propagating a flame, beyond safe limits, after the ignition source is removed.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

Ah what webs we weave! Nylon was considered flame resistant for years, even used in commercial aircraft interiors because it would not burn. However if you set a nylon rope on fire you will see impressive flames until you take the heat away, the hot liquid nylon drips off, leaving the rope not on fire. However add a source of heat, an open flame and that rope will burn like a forest fire to say nothing about all this liquid nylon on fire, running, dripping, or sticking to you like Napalm and still burning. The definition of fire proof/fire resistant was changed because if the burning Nylon fiasco. As a rigger we were taught to use flame to bind the bitter end of nylon cording then drag it across newspaper to make a neat tapered end. Don't be tempted to use your fingers though, that melted nylon is like hot cheese and sticks to you like glue. That is "the burn that doesn't stop giving"!
L

[M Towsley]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

Licking your fingers and then drawing it across the cord end also works.

[avenger1949]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

ok it has nothing to do with my headliner which I have pretty much decided to have a friend sew..... but I had my first landing in the Tcart yesterday that was so smooth I didn't realise I was on the ground.... great day for me. It does turn out some headliners for cars are fire resistant so to make everyone feel like we are working together on this I will buy that material.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Headliner for Tcraft

A nice wool cloth for a antique car headliner would look and work great.