First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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Well, this wasn't as simple as I thought it would be.  My original headliner is 
dry rotted where the bows go through.  It's nearly impossible to see how far 
back the fabric was cut.  I'll send you photos with a rule next to each spot.
 
I measured the bows.  In order (I think front to back) 
 
1)  46-1/2"
2)  46-1/2"  (identical to 
 
I have a book on automotive apholstery and it has a chapter on installing 
headliners.  They give instructions to cut the listing back a little at a time 
until the wrinkles are out.  It says the listing should be within an inch of 
the end of the bow.  I see more distance than that on some of these.  Most seem 
like they were cut back to where the sharp bend is.  
 
Here is a paraphrase of the directions:  The first step was to locate the 
center line of the liner.  They cut a short notch at the front and back ends of 
the liner to indicate center.   Start at the front bow, with the front edge of 
the liner cliped to the windshield opening.  Install all the bows, working 
front to back.  Have the headliner bunched up along the bow and confirm the 
centerline is matched to the center of the bow.  Once the headliner is fastened 
to all the bows, try to pull all the wrinkles out.  carefully cut each listing 
just a little at a time while working the wrinkles out.  Go side to side, 
cutting a little at a time while working on the wrinkles.  If you cut to 
far, you'll lose the crown of the liner.  
 
Once the wrinkles are worked out, cement the edges of the liner to the window 
openings.  Start with the door openings first, the quarter openings next and 
the front/back glass openings last.
 
I'll send photos to your hotmail address.  I'm not sure they will help much.  
It looks as though the original work was done as explained in this book, by 
snipping the listings to fit.  With this rotted fabric, it's impossible to see 
where the original cut was and what is just perished.  You'll see what I mean.  
 
Gosh this liner is nasty.  It's been out of the car four years and it stinks as 
bad as the day I pulled it out!  
 
Larry 

--- On Thu, 7/31/08, S Sterchi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

From: S Sterchi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: [FGF] 68' Headliner Install
To: "First Generation Firebird-L" <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2008, 11:20 AM

First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................

Thanks Larry. Since all the listings are a little different in length, if you
could give the lengths of all of the sleeves, that would be helpful. I
purchased my headliner from CI and yes you do have to cut the listings to fit.
The sleeves are longer than the listings (bows) themselves. 
 
The other method would be to simply know how much bow needs to be exposed on
each side in order to get the proper fit and line from front to back. Unless we
have some upholstery guys out there or someone that has done it, measuring an
original that is out of the car would be the next best thing. 
 
Thanks for the help!
 
SHeen>
.........................................................................> I
didn't know the replacement headliner needed any modifications.  I have the
orignal here somewhere if you want some measurements taken.  Let me know how
you want it measured.>  > You probably know this, but the little nylon
clips that snap over the wire hoops are reproduced.  They were brittle in my
project, so I am replacing all of them.>  > Larry
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