C2 hardtop headliner

[Randy R.]

I am trying to install an Al Knoch headliner for a 67 hardtop. I have searched the archives and watched a Ytube video by Glassworks.
The replacement is bigger than the original. The shape is a little different.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Randy

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 hardtop headliner

Randy,

I went through the same thing on my hard top. That Michigan Chapter /Glass Works video is a great help !

However unlike the video , my Knoch headliner came nowhere near popping right in. I trimmed off so much extra on it that it wasn't funny.

I have no idea if Glass Work's is that much better , or if they trimmed before the video , because I already had my Al Knoch headliner on hand .

The two hints I can give you are to take your time and trim as you go. Secondly try for a perfect "Non Binding Fit" in all areas .While it is tempting to just cram it in after a few tries, you may find the vinyl start to delaminate from the foam if crammed into place. Trust me I know this for a fact as well ! Let the trim pieces do the heavy work for the " holding in place".

Good luck with it.

[John F.]

Re: C2 hardtop headliner

Randy, I agree with Jim, just be patient and take your time. I used a liner from Glassworks and after a couple attempts to dry fit it in place, I trimmed a tiny bit off of the front corners. It actually tucked pretty much right into place. I only used a little adhesive centered just ahead of the rear edge. As Randy said, the trim pieces will pretty much hold it in place.

[Randy R.]

Re: C2 hardtop headliner

Randy,

I went through the same thing on my hard top. That Michigan Chapter /Glass Works video is a great help !

However unlike the video , my Knoch headliner came nowhere near popping right in. I trimmed off so much extra on it that it wasn't funny.

I have no idea if Glass Work's is that much better , or if they trimmed before the video , because I already had my Al Knoch headliner on hand .

The two hints I can give you are to take your time and trim as you go. Secondly try for a perfect "Non Binding Fit" in all areas .While it is tempting to just cram it in after a few tries, you may find the vinyl start to delaminate from the foam if crammed into place. Trust me I know this for a fact as well ! Let the trim pieces do the heavy work for the " holding in place".

Good luck with it.

Thank you for the reply. Please tell me the locations you trimmed.
Did you snap the wings in first? Then the front edge?
The front to back measurement on the original is 26 3/4 in. The new one measures 27 1/4. Do I trim the new to match the
original? If so, do I trim the front or back? Do the wings need t*******? If so, where did you trim yours?

Thanks again,
Randy






















Randy

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 hardtop headliner

Randy ,

I don't remember where all I trimmed and didn't trim exactly. I just remember doing a lot of it . I do remember that both wings needed t******* because that is where I experienced the delamination from trying to just cram them in place without t******* at first. Like I said that video was very helpful. However their 30 second spot of inserting the headliner took me a several hours at least !

As I recall , my original headliner was torn at both wings and crumbling , so it wasn't much help to me . I would say if yours is in better shape I would use it as a template for sure . Just invest in a good pair of industrial scissors as that plastic backing on the headliner is a Bi**h to cut.

Jim

[Steven B.]

Re: C2 hardtop headliner

I replaced my '67 with an Al Knoch headliner about 5 years ago. At that time I looked at a lot of threads on the subject. The main issue was getting the headliner up and over the four sheet metal tabs welded to the cage which are designed to hold the headliner up until the trim and halo can be put back up. The trim parts are the parts that actually hold the headliner in place as most know. The difficulty for some installations was having to trim the headliner at the point that the tabs were in order to get up and over the tabs. My headliner went in without having to trim and in about 30 minutes. Maybe I just got lucky. If you have a headliner that is 1/2 inch larger, I don't see that as much of a problem unless the original fit was tight to begin with in which case you will undoubtedly have to trim some to fit. You may want to size up the front and make sure that the contours for the visors line up before you make a decision to trim. You may find that you need to trim at the rear if at all.
Good luck,

Steve