Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

[labe0202]

Hi all,
Long time reader but first time poster here. I've got a '46 BC-12D which I have been replacing the baggage sling and headliner in. I got both from Airtex and have been pretty happy with the quality of the products. I knew it was not going to be an easy task to replace the headliner, but I've managed to finish the baggage area and both sides of it and only have the very front left to attach.

My grandfather rebuilt the plane about 30 years ago and I can remember him saying that the headliner was one of the most miserable parts of the process. I believe he installed the windshield before putting the headliner in. While the rest of the assembly was installed with a pretty seamless final look the front was stapled on with what looked to be simple every-day office staples. I'm assuming this is becasue a staple gun with staples or brads would not be able to fit in the space between the windshield and the upper brace behind it (just ahead of the trim crank).

While this was very functional, I'm wondering if there would be a way of affixing the headliner in a more eye-pleasing way without exposed staples. It's hard to find pictures of this portion of the headliner, but the ones I have found don't appear to have any staples showing. The cement I purchased from Airtex works well but would seep through the off-white fabric and look horrible if I used it up there. Also, I really don't want to remove the windshield for the process either. Just wondering what others have done with their birds. If it helps, my plane does not have the sky light mod.

Thanks everyone, glad this excellent resource is here!

Ben

[labe0202]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

Probably not much of a help but here are some pics I took before removing the old headliner. No pictures from the front looking back though. The old one was in tough shape. The plane sat for over twenty years without being flown (was kept in a hangar). A leaky wing fuel line attachment and a mousenest made for a pretty nasty headliner. My A&P did an in-depth inspection to make sure the mice had not damaged anything in the wing and luckily found no damage or corrosion. I flew it for a little while with the old headliner but when I put it in the hangar this fall I figured I should work on the interior a little bit. Thanks again, any help is very much appreciated!

[Pearson]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

My headliner was glued in across the front tube. After it was glued, a strip of the same material was "lightly" glued over where the glue had bled through. I say "lightly" glued because just enough glue was used to hold the narrow strip in place, but not enough to bleed through.

[Norm G]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

Velcro would be the way I would do it. Secure a strip of velcro to the wood under the windshield, glue, staples. Sew a strip of velcro to the front of the headliner and stick it up there.

Norm G

[perryv1]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

Velcro is a great Idea,I glued mine in and it did bleed through a little,I wish I had saved a piece so that I could make a cover strip.
just goes to show,Never throw anything away.
My airplane never had any cable covers at the door pillers,Anyone have a pattern for them?A friend made me a set from a copy of his but they were differant than mine,I even tried to make a cardboard pattern but that didn't work out eighter. PV

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

I have one from my 41 I could make a pattern from if your intersted. Maybe I should do that and post it here. Overlaid on a grid like the engine baffles a couple of weeks ago. Larry

PS: If I do that I will start a new thread.

[labe0202]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

Thanks everyone for all the input. I secured it today with a few staples and glue and am planning on placing a "trim strip" over the front with velcro to dress it up and cover the glue spots and staples. That whole process was quite the undertaking, glad to almost be done! I've got a template made for the trim strip and will cut it tonight. Thanks again.

Here's a shot of the completed back and baggage area:

[labe0202]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

Velcro is a great Idea,I glued mine in and it did bleed through a little,I wish I had saved a piece so that I could make a cover strip.
just goes to show,Never throw anything away.
My airplane never had any cable covers at the door pillers,Anyone have a pattern for them?A friend made me a set from a copy of his but they were differant than mine,I even tried to make a cardboard pattern but that didn't work out eighter. PV

I know it's not a pattern, but I can give you some shots of the covers if that'd help at all.

[perryv1]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

Thanks,I think Ill try the cardboard trick again when the weather warms up,it was -18 below Saturday morning.
PV

[Len Petterson]

Re: Attaching Headliner Behind Windshield

Cardboard for pattern works but I have used TY vek the plastic they wrap houses in workd great! If it was`t so darn cold I make you pattern.
Len