[SEL] OT - any car restorers - headliner question

[Mark Shulaw]

Hi Bill,
  Theres all manner of two part liquid epoxys that could be brushed on. 
Thats one way to do it. Get one thats fairly thin so it soaks in before it 
sets up.
One product you might have on the shelf already we use on our old gas 
engines would be gas tank sealer, they come in two part reactive or one 
part air dry.
  Or go to a body shop that specializes in fibreglass body panel repair 
like for a Corvette or a Body Shop supplier like a paint store. Or a 
headliner shop, no kidding theres one in Lima Ohio specializes in just 
healiners and vinyl tops. They have products that would do what you need 
thats like what I described above. With GM products in particular but not 
the sole culpret, headliner repair is a growing part of the business. The 
fibreglass body panels have to be Gel coated to get the fibre sealed out or 
locked down so the fibres will not show. They don't brush it on but I am 
sure it could be. And considering the clean up time and expense of a gun 
verses just throwing a $1. brush in the trash thats the way I'd go. Shoot 
maybe they have a product in a spray bomb can that I don't know of. I know 
that some of the (GOOD) headliner glue now comes in a spray can
  Oh and that foam backer?! That helps take care of hiding small 
imperfections as well as helping the vinyl or fabric hold to the backer, 
mind you I said small imperfections, yah can't hide a golf ball under it. 
GRINNNNN   Good luck,  Mark

At 08:32 AM 11/21/06, you wrote:
>Doesn't apply to engines, may apply to tractors, does apply to cars/trucks.
>
>Headliner - the backing is like some fiberglass insulation batt that's
>been compressed and shaped. The vinyl is off because the foam backing on
>the vinyl gave way. All that's left is the fiberglass backerboard. It's a
>bit soft in places, especially a couple of the edges and corners.
>Is there a simple way to stiffen it up (like fiberlgass viagra?) that's
>water resistant (in case of leaks) and won't change the shape?
>I need to recover it but want any vinyl applied to have a nice smooth
>finish and keep the curves intact.
>It's been suggested to spray it with a paintgun loaded with watered-down
>elmers glue, but although that would work, it certainly won't be water
>resistant at all and the first bit of a leak and it's melt-down time (not
>as bad as a melt-down in Arnie's profession, but not good either)
>
>So has anyone needed to stiffen up a headliner backer, or other similar
>material and what would be the process?
>Anything that can be SPRAYED on it that would soak in and really stiffen
>it up?
>
>The rest of the car is literally ending up show-quality (we've spent weeks
>blocking it so it's perfect) so this needs to be good as well.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Bill
>Runnells, IA
>
>(Luke is coming back from Korea for a visit! - with a girl............)
>
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Mark & Christine Shulaw
454 Co. Rd. 33
Bluffton, OH. 45817  USA            Email: Frappi at wcoil.com

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