any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

[Lee J]

Just got my new headliner, perforated with foam backing. I've ripped out the nasty white shag material that was in there, but now I'm unsure how to install this with all the complex curves in the ceiling. I can post some pics this evening if needed. Any general advice for working with padded vinyl headliner? Should i use a heat gun or am I smoking crack thinking I can do this without a lot of seams? It doesn't seem to have much stretched to it.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

some pics would definately help...

 

[Lee J]

Re: any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

Sure, here is looking into the cuddy:

Here is starboard:

And at the very front:

Do you think it can make all the bends or am I going to have to have seams at every odd angle?

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

I'm interested in this also, as I'm probably going to need a new headliner in the next couple of years. I've done them in cars but I have no idea how they're installed in a boat cabin.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

First, it needs a lot of cleaning.
Clean and flat, sand down any pointy bumps.

Wires need to be re-routed or removed, the window frames removed, inside hatch frames...anything that sticks through needs to be removed.

I've made up-right "T" supports covered in carpet to help!
Like old school drywall!!
Cut a little longer so they slide and hold the material up against the ceiling.

It has to be done on a warm day...lay the headliner out flat so the folds/wrinkles can relax. At least a day or two in advance!

Hopefully you bought marine headliner.

With a lot of patience you can shape it almost anywhere!
A paint roller can help flatten it and shape it...sliding your hands will stretch it!

Spray a two foot wide strip of adhesive right down the center.
Start in the center and work out...working from the center, bow to stern about a foot...then move to the other side...center, bow to stern about a foot.

Don't stretch it too much! That will break the bond between the headliner and foam.
Move the supports as you go, take your time and let the adhesive do it's job!
Go too fast and it's sag city!!

After it's up and the glue has dried, come back and cut in the windows, hatch etc. and re-install the interior frames!

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

lee, was original liner one piece or seemed in stragetic places to hide seems as best as possible. you can test a small piece with hair dryer to see how it conforms to the curves without bunching up afterwards on the flats. this is just a idea . hope it helps you out. good luck p.s. if you test it let us know outcome with pics would be nice

 

[Lee J]

Re: any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

1fishbone, yes it's marine headliner from sailrite.com. I hope it's as flexible as you make it sound, even just folding it it seems to wrinkle a bit. Good advise on letting it lay out flat for a couple days, and the carpet covered supports...I'm going to try that!

twkjr, the original was installed in just 2 pieces. I guess thats the benefit of having a thick pile, it really can hide any wrinkles.

Luhrs28, I love your boat, great project!

 

[1fishbone]

Re: any tips for installing headliner in cuddy?

Just don't stretch it too much.
One, it will break the headliner/foam bond, two, it will cause the pattern to be deformed.
Use paint rollers to help form it.

It should have come on a roll, but it can still get wrinkles.

You can do it, take your time and think about how it will be done BEFORE you get into it.