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Pages: 1

Technique: Replace Headliner/Inst. Panel/Qrtr Panels

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Posted by: Zenfollies

1986 Mark VI BB

Female

Recover Headliner, Instrument Panel / Quarter Panels

Estimated Time: Figure 1-3 hours depending on your skill.

Materials

1-can of 3M upholstery adhesive

4-6 packages of retainers (Try Body-TITE! #45650 for Ford. Typically two to package. You want the larger head for support.)

3-5 yards of headliner material -- Found fawn/beige colored headliner material with the foam backing already on it. In comes in rolls 54" wide. They also had navy blue, and black. Try Hancock Fabrics. I think they are a national chain.

Tools / Equipment

Latex or vinyl gloves
Phillips head screwdriver
Flathead screw driver
Small rubber mallet
Wide flathead razer scraper
Rubbing alcohol
Cotton Balls
Cotton Rag
Stereo with good tunes: Works best with something like mellow Led Zepplin, Sting's 10 Summoner's Tale, etc.

Procedure:

Warning: At all times keep your hands clean, and or, replace your gloves frequently.

1. Unscrew all the plastic trims on sides and front and around back quarter panels. Tape your screws to piece of paper and write next to it where they go. Place in a jar with lid. While you have all the trim off, clean and polish, wax works too.

2. First remove the instrument panel. A second person makes this easier. One to hold, the other to unscrew. The trick is remove the cover lenses on the lights, remove the light bulbs and then you'll see in the concave area a phillips head screw in each one. Remove the screws and tape to paper and identify and then drop in jar. Set panel on work table.

3. Using the flathead screw driver gently pry off the black retainers that hold the headliner in place. Be patient and be gentle. It is best to go catty corner. Throw away the retainers. Place headliner and quarter panel on work table or other safe place. Be careful not to bend or break headliner board.

4. Remove material and foam padding from all objects. You may have to use the scraper, gently to get foam and glue. Be patient and gentle. It doesn't take long. Once surface is cleared, gently wife clean with rubbing alcohol on rag and or cotton balls. Do not saturate, especially the boards.

5. Lay fabric upside down and place pieces on it to determine layout for cutting pieces. Use pieces as pattern.

6. Once you have all the pieces, then assemble peices according to the amount of space you have. Light spray the surface of the item and lightly spray the backing of the material and apply. Use gentle pressure for a few moments.

7. The instrument panel is a bit trickier because of its unusual shape. You wil have to cut the fabric to allow for some play for a good fit. In order for the fabric to lay flat around the edges of the center light fixture, do not cut out a hole. Note the edge area and then cut a line from the center to almost the corner. Stop just slightly short of it, about 1/16th of an inch. You should have what looks life four pie pieces. These will be tucked under and back when the lamp unit is put back in and wiring connected.

8. After all pieces have cured and are ready for installation, begin installation, being sure to use clean gloves. First install the quarter panels and then the headliner. It works better if you have a second person to hold it in place while you install the retainers. use the rubber mallet to secure them.

9. The instrument panel will also need two people for less stress. One to hold while the other screws it back into place.

10. Reinstall the plastic trims.

Voila! Your done.

Posted by: Zenfollies

It was brought to my attention that I left an important step off the overhead console restoration.

Yes, you need to remove the sunvisors. To do that, you need to turn the unit over and you'll see the mechanism that holds it together and operates its swivel and flip modes.

First, unscrew the wires. Use a tupperware container to hold all the parts. Then unscrew the holders.

On the mechanism, there is a metal spring clip that has to be gently pried off. Then remove the small spring on the top of the mechanism. Then the whole thing comes out.

As for the sunvisors, if they too need recovering, that requires a bit of sewing, but no big deal. Leave the one side open to pull over the plastic base, then hand stitch the fabric closed.

Posted by: OldSchool1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenfollies

It was brought to my attention that I left an important step off the overhead console restoration.

...

Well written.
Well executed.
When I do this job on my 1984 (it's due), I'll make sure to reference your great article.

Thanks!