Headlining shock

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Tue May 30, 2006 12:46

Hi

My suggestion? Do it yourself. It's really quite straightforward, using the old bits as templates. Woollies will sell you everything you need. It will take a day or two in labour. Yes there's a bit of sewing to replicate it exactly, but once it's done, whenever you sit under it you'll think of the satisfaction of doing the job rather than the big bucks you spent.....

My two pence worth.

Robert

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Tue May 30, 2006 12:47

I'd love to - but the old bits won't come off in sufficiently large pieces to be able to use them as patterns. The material used must be about the cheapest and nastiest stuff imagineable!

FredBasset · Post by **FredBasset** » Tue May 30, 2006 12:48

Removing the old one is a pain, I started mine yesterday and spent quite a bit of the day on it. I have three small patches that are remaining but hope to remove them tonight.

I'm interested in this, it's a good price and if they have the patterns I would buy one too. Would you keep me informed please?

Does this include all parts of the lining, i.e. the header rail around the front, roll bar trim, b and c pillar trims and the two sections on the roof?

Regards
Fred

Doc Si · Post by **Doc Si** » Tue May 30, 2006 12:51

Not a bad price but it is certainly doable at home I made paper patterns as the old fabric was c..p & useless

r08813 · Post by **r08813** » Wed May 31, 2006 10:21

You don't really need a pattern for most of it.

The main roof parts, ie above the front seats and rear seats are 1 strip of fabric running from side to side for front and one for rear, the other trim covers the edges. That is the only part that needs to be done inside the car. The other parts are on removable trim and can be done in the house and clipped back into the car later.

the roll bar cover,is a strip of fabric glued on from one side to the other - the ends are glued inside the cover.

The only bit that needs sewing is the part that the sun visors fit on to, and that is easy to see where to sew from the old one. Chances are that that part is still glued on OK anyway - it's the main roof part that normally droops.

The sun visors are a bit of a pain -I didn't need to do those myself, but again, just take them out of the car and do them in a more comfortable place.

I did my roof lining in a day, at a relaxed speed, with time to spare and I'm really pleased with the results.

terry · Post by **terry** » Wed May 31, 2006 12:42

Just one more "tip", I used the more expensive grey, foam-backed stuff from Woolies, and found that if you put adhesive all over the area, (as opposed to sticking it round the back, like all the other bits), around where the visors sit, and are really careful how far in you cut, there is just enough stretch in the material, to mould into the corner, and avoid even this bit of sewing, and there's not seam.

Terry

FredBasset · Post by **FredBasset** » Wed May 31, 2006 13:03

terry wrote:Just one more "tip", I used the more expensive grey, foam-backed stuff from Woolies, and found that if you put adhesive all over the area, (as opposed to sticking it round the back, like all the other bits), around where the visors sit, and are really careful how far in you cut, there is just enough stretch in the material, to mould into the corner, and avoid even this bit of sewing, and there's not seam.

Terry

Funnily enough I was looking at mine header rail trim last night wondering if that can be done.

As another "tip" from replacing the headlining in a previous car a small wallpaper roller is a much better way of applying even pressure to the headlining than your fingers.

Regards
Fred

r08813 · Post by **r08813** » Wed May 31, 2006 13:46

Yes, because you have to be quite careful with using fingers, the adhesive can soak through and leave indentations where you press.

Must also agree with the woolies foam backed fabric. It really was the correct stuff to use

terry · Post by **terry** » Wed May 31, 2006 15:11

Although this is in a past thread, I'll repeat it, for those who have yet to do the headlining, (best thing about replacing carpets and headlining is you smell the leather without the background mildew/damp.

Anyway, agree completely, with the foam paint roller. I used a big 12" roller. First I covered the roof with Evode 528 contact adhesive applied with plastic scraper, while this was going tacky, I sprayed the foam with Woolies, (not FW) foam with their hi-tack aerosol adhesive.
All you have to do then, is lay on your back, stretch the fabric a little between your hands, and touch the first 1", in contact with the roof parallel to one of the doors.
Then, maintained a bit of tension on the fabric, roller it on light wallpaper, over the rest of the roof.
Wrinkle- free first go.
It really is one of the few jobs on a Lotus that is easier than you think it's going to be.

I really will try to put a pic. on.

Terry

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Wed May 31, 2006 16:32

Hmph - asked Hethel if I could have a Europa S as a courtesy car if they need 4 days to do a headlining - their response "Nice try"

FredBasset · Post by **FredBasset** » Wed May 31, 2006 22:14

terry wrote: It really is one of the few jobs on a Lotus that is easier than you think it's going to be.

Ok, ok I'm convinced, I redid the headlining in an old SD1 vitesse and it was much easier than I'd expected so I'm going to have a go.

How did people go about the sewing on the base of the B pillars or did they not bother.

Best thing for me is the wife goes past Woolies twice a day so I can have the materials in no time.

Regards
Fred

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Wed May 31, 2006 22:38

Hi

Re B pillar trim, I got my mum to tuck the ends over and sew a hem around it. Not attached to the leather as per original but looks just as good.

Re the corners of the front piece next to sun visors, there's a join there too, looks much more original if you put that line of sewing in. And one more line of sewing across the width of the flat bit above the rear passengers' heads. Having the old bits as a template is very useful, though probably not essential. You'll need 3.5 -4 metres of fabric.

Sun visor covers can be made up like pillow slips, leaving one end open for fitting. This end is then sewn together by hand from the outside.

Robert

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Wed May 31, 2006 22:42

robertverhey wrote: Sun visor covers can be made up like pillow slips, leaving one end open for fitting. This end is then sewn together by hand from the outside.

But then - how does your passenger see the mirror when applying her lipstick

and where's the ever-so-useful band for tucking your breakdown cover details behind on the driver's side ?

Doc Si · Post by **Doc Si** » Wed May 31, 2006 22:51

The band can be done with a little (or alot) of thought and some mistakes. The mirror.... well she might have to use the door mirror or just look naturally gorgeous !

chrisw2811 · Post by **chrisw2811** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 18:58

I have bitten the bullet and removed the front section of trim, including sun visors, to get on with replacing my head lining. I'm taking some photos as I go. Luckily, the entire area of both roof sections of head cloth seem to have detached, leaving only the edges to undo. Does anyone know how the trim over the roll bar is fastened on please? Am I correct to assume that I need to remove the door post covers to get this off? Did others drill through the rivets holding the metal edge clips on, or should I just leave them on and cut a small nick in the new fabric to go over them? Thanks, Chris