Re: headliner install

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Charrlie_S

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Since It is not allowed to post in a for sale or wanted thread. [WANTED] - Head liner install, Socal
I thought I would post this here.
I also need two head liners installed in 64 Valiant 4drs. Both have the old headliners out, one also has the windows out. One shop quoted me $225/hr with an estimated time of 5 hours to install my head liner. Another shop quoted $1500 for the same job. This price is per vehicle. In my opinion that is nuts. I had a headliner done many years ago on a 65 Valiant, that still had the old liner and all windows installed. Drove the car to the shop at 8 am and picked up the car at about 12 noon. Total time to do a complete job was less than 4 hrs. How can these shops justify these prices/times, just for an "install". Myself, I got lucky. I know a "OLD" upholstery guy. He is retired, and physically can't do the work any longer, But I am going to pay him, and he is going to teach me how to do the first car. I will learn on that one (It is just a driver, and if I make some mistakes, not a big deal). Then I will do my other "restoMod" 64 valiant, and hopefully not make mistakes.
 
I did a 70 Cuda for someone way back in 85 tgat turned out nice after I removed the wrinkles with a heat gun. I hope to be doing my 2nd headliner install in my 65 Dart panel wagon sometime this summer. Windshield is out as is the Bailey channel for the power rear window
 

I just got a 6 bow installed in my Demon. The fellow came to my house and in 4 hours had the headliner installed and both the
front and rear glass installed as well. This was even with me yaking with him.

I was $400 CDN all in.

For $225 per hour the F*&)er better be operating on me.
 
I have the factory service manual, which details replacing the headliner, but like anything else, there are "tricks of the trade". These I don't know. My "old" 64 Valiant, it is not a big deal if there are some mistakes. It is just a "driver" and has rust. The windows are out so I could repair the rust in the pinch weld area. The "NEW" 64 Valiant is a very nice "incomplete" restomod I got last fall, so I would like that one to be done nicely.
 
CFD244 said:
I just got a 6 bow installed in my Demon. The fellow came to my house and in 4 hours had the headliner installed and both the
front and rear glass installed as well. This was even with me yaking with him.

I was $400 CDN all in.

For $225 per hour the F*&)er better be operating on me.
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I told the manager of that shop, if the shop could charge $225/hr, and the tech couldn't do the install in about 2 hrs, they need to fire someone. Because someone doesn't know their job. Especially if the windows are out.
PS: I am supplying the headliner.
 
My guy showed up with an industrial steamer, some sort of contact cement, and a few tools. I supplied the headliner as well.
 
I have done many in the past. Looking up that long is the biggest problem as you get older. I found the easiest way is upside down on a rotisserie. Looking down is so much easier.

Most of the cars from mid 70's on were one piece covered press board. So those guys that installed bows with cloth are getting scarce. You only get what you pay for when it comes to experience. Getting an old timer to show you how is priceless.
 
Oldmanmopar said:
I have done many in the past. Looking up that long is the biggest problem as you get older. I found the easiest way is upside down on a rotisserie. Looking down is so much easier.

Most of the cars from mid 70's on were one piece covered press board. So those guys that installed bows with cloth are getting scarce. You only get what you pay for when it comes to experience. Getting an old timer to show you how is priceless.
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This fellow has done work for me in the past and is/was good and reasonable priced. But he decided to "retire". His wife died about 1 1/2 years ago, and he is older them I am (i'm 83) with arthritis. I told him my issue, and that I just couldn't afford to get one car done much less two, and told him I would pay for his time and expertise, and I would do the actual work. Hope to get the car to him in about a week or two. Need to finish the pinch welds, and put some insulation in the ceiling.
 
65 Dartman said:
I did a 70 Cuda for someone way back in 85 tgat turned out nice after I removed the wrinkles with a heat gun. I hope to be doing my 2nd headliner install in my 65 Dart panel wagon sometime this summer. Windshield is out as is the Bailey channel for the power rear window
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I did my '66 wagon a couple years ago, nobody around here even wanted to touch it. Windshield was out, but the rear quarter windows were still in since there was no way I was going to futz with the unobtainium window seals (which were in decent shape) or risk the impossible to find quarter glass... so no option other than to do it myself. Had done a couple HT Darts in the past, but was a little hesitant because of all the extra acreage on a long roof. A little contact cement and a heat gun on "low" and it came out pretty good, IMO. Not perfect, but nothing anybody will notice if I don't point it out.
Just proceed with caution and common sense.
 
Professor Fate said:
I did my '66 wagon a couple years ago, nobody around here even wanted to touch it. Windshield was out, but the rear quarter windows were still in since there was no way I was going to futz with the unobtainium window seals (which were in decent shape) or risk the impossible to find quarter glass... so no option other than to do it myself. Had done a couple HT Darts in the past, but was a little hesitant because of all the extra acreage on a long roof. A little contact cement and a heat gun on "low" and it came out pretty good, IMO. Not perfect, but nothing anybody will notice if I don't point it out.
Just proceed with caution and common sense.
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I have shortened the “toothed” headliner retainer that goes over the driver’s door, which when shortened was perfect for the 2 door sedan door opening I’m using. With no passenger doors and rear quarter windows to worry about, i figure contact cement will work best in the inside panel. I plan on buying some suitable stainless strips to cover and then trim the excess headliner, which I see will be plenty of excess
 
On a similar note, what kind of insulation do you guys like to use the original mat type or a modern stick on sound and insulation type.
 
The guy I used for Vixen's headliner quoted me $300 and I had the head liner. 11 hours later it was done and gorgeous. I asked him if he was sure on the price and he said "that's what I quoted, that's what it is".
 
@Charrlie_S With him coaching you, you should get thru it just fine. If you don't have a heat gun, go to Harbor Freight and get one. They help with the wrinkles. You said you are 83, and most of us here are old guys too. That being said, if you are on blood thinners....keep you some band aids close by when you do it. Those little dragons teeth that bite into the fabric to hold it will also bite your fingers! I don't care how hard I try, they always get me at least once. I've done all of my cars myself since I had an upholstery guy coach me thru doing the one in my Superbird in 1987. Good luck with it!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
JDMopar said:
@Charrlie_S With him coaching you, you should get thru it just fine. If you don't have a heat gun, go to Harbor Freight and get one. They help with the wrinkles. You said you are 83, and most of us here are old guys too. That being said, if you are on blood thinners....keep you some band aids close by when you do it. Those little dragons teeth that bite into the fabric to hold it will also bite your fingers! I don't care how hard I try, they always get me at least once. I've done all of my cars myself since I had an upholstery guy coach me thru doing the one in my Superbird in 1987. Good luck with it!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Great advice. I'll also add along with the band aids, keep some ice on hand as it stops bleeding pretty quickly......and you're GONNA bleed. LOL
 
I'll make sure to bring plenty of "band aids". I do have a heat gun, but we are doing the job at his shop, so he should have everything to make the job go the easiest.
 
CFD244 said:
I just got a 6 bow installed in my Demon. The fellow came to my house and in 4 hours had the headliner installed and both the
front and rear glass installed as well. This was even with me yaking with him.

I was $400 CDN all in.

For $225 per hour the F*&)er better be operating on me.
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I restored a 70 Monte Carlo some years back, but when it came to installing the headliner, I was bested. After who knows how long inside the car trying to get it done while breathing in contact cement fumes, I stepped out of the car high as a kite and beat.
One call to a pro got it done for 50 bucks and a bottle of whiskey, he even brought his steamer to shrink it to nice tight look.
 
RustyRatRod said:
The guy I used for Vixen's headliner quoted me $300 and I had the head liner. 11 hours later it was done and gorgeous. I asked him if he was sure on the price and he said "that's what I quoted, that's what it is".
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That's a lot of time for $300. Hopefully you tipped him well.
 
I don't see how putting a new one in is more than a few hours not including reassembly. The hardest part is finding the screw holes to put it back together. :)
 
Professor Fate said:
Save all your cutoffs- I had enough left over to recover my sun visors.
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I got brand new sun visors in the package with the car. The only interior parts that I don't have new is the Vinal door panels. Everything else came with the car. either installed, or in the packaging.
 
Professor Fate said:
Save all your cutoffs- I had enough left over to recover my sun visors.
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Charrlie_S said:
I got brand new sun visors in the package with the car.
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I too have brand new sun visors in metallic light blue to coordinate with the same color blue upholstery, door and fabricated quarter panel cards. Headliner is off white
 
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