29 replies to this topic

[Big Guns]

Hi all. Just laying in bed last night thinking about my roof lining....I really do need to get a life! lol. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone out there has ever used MDF? I reckon 6mm would be flexible enough to bend into the rails and, if routed properly, would look pretty cool. Having a Clubby estate I should be able to get it in in one piece too! Nice to paint (Union Jack) and if I put a load of felt above it, good sound proofing! Thoughts please??

[miniman_7]

You could use flexible mdf, or if you are a dab hand with a router, just put some grooves in where needed to give some extra flexibility

[Big Guns]

Hi. Luckily I work as a chippy in the construction industry so I'm not bad with a router and I have a well equiped workshop at my disposal. I think properly done and painted it would look cool.

[roberts]

I cant see it working sorry, your only going to be able to get it to bend in one direction and you need it to bend in two directions.

But good luck if you decide to go with it, and if it works post some pics!!

[lowandslow]

you could always just use fibre glass resin on an OE lining rub it down to make smooth then paint it how you want it. i can't see the MDF thing working too many curves.

[Bungle]

VW westy campers came with a plywood head lining

ask miniboo for a picture of his

[M44K TS]

I was thinking ply might be more suitable than MDF?

[Teapot]

There's a thread on here about this so maybe someone can turn it up

[Mattl]

Im not sure about the wood thing but a nice modern "biscuit" type headlining would be nice.

[Down&Out]

Wouldnt it weigh about two tonnes?

[Calman]

I think bramms did this didnt he?

[captainjack15]

Not if you use ultralight MDF and good luck bending it in two directions

[daemonchild]

Parque roof?

[Brams96]

Big Guns -

MDF works fine but you will have to use 3mm and do 2 layers as 6mm isn't flexible enough to bend at the ends. If you look at my project thread it shows how I have done mine.
The only problem with doing it in MDF is having the car off the road while the glue dries and the wood takes shape. I used spray contact adhesive between the roof and 1st layer and a combination of spray glue and strong PVA between the layers.
Hope this helps and good luck;)

[Big Guns]

Wow, thanks for all the advice everyone. Having the car off the road is no problem as it's in bits anyway (I bought it purely as a project). I did consider using two layers as that would also increase the sound proofing however some of the structural MDFs around these days allow any amount of flexability. I'm not overly concerned about weight either because a blown MDF is very light (almost like Balsa). Ultimately, if it doesn't work, well, at least I tried! I'll post pics when I've decided which way to "attack it".
Cheers.....Dave