7 replies to this topic

[Wiggz-Mini]

Is it wise to fit it with the windows out or doesnt it matter?

Also where best to get one aling with the c pillars and the bit going under the rear window?

[stevede]

Have to take the windows out to fit a headlining properly.

Both Optimise and Retro do headlining kits in various materials both with & without "C" pillar & under rear window trim.

They may even offer a fitting service if you ask.






Good luck

Steve

[Wiggz-Mini]

Thanks for the quick reply mate! When i took my old one off i noticed its been stuck down with some glue in places...is this normal?

[matt615]

Yes that is normal, they are glued down along the edges.

I used evo stick impact adhesive (brush on type) to glue mine in.

[Dan]

In the '90s Rover changed from using glue to using double sided tape. It's much less messy, more easily repositionable for longer and doesn't leak through the headliner to stain the surface like glue eventually will in most cases. It has to be stuck all along the screen flanges all around and as said you have to remove all the glass to do it. Newton Commercial are a good manufacturer. Avoid cheap headliners from the few 'show special' trimmers, they don't fit. As shown above, when fitting it you stretch it out using pegs or bulldog clips or something first to get it smooth and aligned before sticking it. Don't cut anything until you are very happy.

[Guess-Works.com]

Not only should you remove the windows, also remove all the interior, steering column and I'd recommend removing the gearstick too...

You will do a lot of moving around in the inside of the car...

When I've done it, I start at the back, temporarily locating it with clips as suggested above then working forward putting in the rails and, again using clips, fix at the front....Then you can work on the sides stretching it into place as you go... and never cut it until you are absolutely sure it's in the right place...

[roberts]

Here is our guide for you, hope it helps.

Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

This fitting guide is designed as a recommended guideline only and you may find a way to fit the kit into your Classic Mini, that you think is easier – but, this is how we do it.

It is also a guide for fitting Optimise Automotive products only and you may struggle if following the guide below whilst fitting a different manufacturers product.

Preparing to fit the new headlining

Before fitting your new headlining you will need to remove the front windscreen, back windscreen, back quarter windows, rubber window/door edge trim, back view mirror, sun visors, interior light and old headlining.

1) Remove the windscreens
We recommend that removing the windows is a job for two people and that you place a protective sheet (ideally some 2” foam) on the bonnet.

Please Note You remove both the front and back windscreens in the same way.

1.1) Remove the chrome (occasionally black) plastic filler strip from the rubber.

1.2) If you are removing the back windscreen remove the heated screen connectors (one on either side).

1.3) Push the windscreen from the inside of the Mini – it should pop out easily with little force.

2) Remove the back quarter windows
We recommend that removing the back quarter windows is a job for two people.

2.1) Remove the screws that hold the window in position (4 screws per window).

2.2) Remove the windows from the Mini and store safely with the windscreens.

3) Remove the rubber edge trim
Remove the rubber trim from the:

3.1) Front windscreen.

3.2) Back windscreen.

3.3) Back quarter windows (both sides).

3.4) Front doors (both sides).

4) Remove the interior headlining trim and fixtures

4.1) Remove the back view mirror (2 screws)

4.2) Remove the sun visors (2 screws in each visor)

4.3) Detach the interior light (2 screws) and let it hang.

5) Remove the fitted headlining
Be careful not to damage the rods.

Install the new Optimise Automotive headlining kit

With everything removed you are now ready to fit your new headlining.

Please Note This is a guide for fitting a headlining kit with two people helping – do not attempt to fit it in this way if you are on your own.

1) Insert the metal rails into the loops
The correct order from front to back is as follows:

1.1) Red
1.2) White
1.3) White
1.4) Black
1.5) Blue
1.6) Yellow

The front of the headlining is the end that has the equal sized sections, the back of the headlining is the end that has the smaller section after the first loop.

2) Spray glue to the roof of the Mini & the headlining
Using a contact spray adhesive:

2.1) Spray a ring of glue around the edge of the roof (interior of the Mini) and on the lips of the windows. Or in other words spray the glue where the headlining will be stuck to the Mini.

2.2) Spray a ring of glue around the edge of the headliner. Or in other words, once again spray the glue where the headlining will be stuck to the Mini.

3) Place the headlining in the Mini.
We recommend that placing the headlining in the Mini is a job for two people:

3.1) Place the headlining in the Mini – making sure it’s the right way round.

The Red rail should be at the front and the yellow rail at the back.

3.2) Fix the rail clips into the holes in the roof rail.

3.3) Once the rails are fitted into the correct holes roll the rails so they are facing up – or in other words, following the shape of the roof.

4) Puling and sticking the headlining into place
If it has taken you less than 10 minutes from spraying the glue to this point, please stop and wait for the spray glue to go touch dry (tacky) before continuing.

Please Note It is vitally important that you wait for the spray glue to go touch dry before attempting to stick the headlining in place.

If you do not wait for the glue to be touch dry the headlining kit will not stick correctly.

4.1) With one person pulling from the front and one person pulling from the back, pull the headlining tight.

4.2) Then stick the headlining to the Mini in the centre of the front and back windscreens.

4.3) Check that the headlining is tight – if you are happy with how it looks (front to back tension) proceed and stick the rest of the front and back.

4.4) Once the front and back of the headlining is stuck you can start to stick the sides. With one person on either side of the Mini, start at the back windows - pull the headlining tight (side to side) and stick it.

Work your way to the front.

5) Cutting the excess material
Using a sharp knife/Stanley knife:

5.1) Trim off the excess material from all the window openings (the front windscreen, back windscreen and back quarter windows) and door openings (both front doors).

5.2) Also cut off any excess material from the A, B and C pillars. Remember you will be fitting A, B and C pillar trim, so don’t worry too much about cutting this excess trim off.

However, make sure you cut the excess material off below where the pillar trim will be installed. As, you do not want to see bodywork between the headlining and the pillar trim.

5) Fit the matching A, B pillar and under back windscreen trim
Using a contact spray adhesive:

5.1) Spray glue on the A, B pillars and under the back windscreen.

5.2) Spray glue on the A, B pillar and under back windscreen trim.

Please Note It is vitally important that you wait for the spray glue to go touch dry before attempting to stick the headlining in place.

If you do not wait for the glue to be touch dry the headlining kit will not stick correctly.

5.3) Attach the A pillar trim to the A pillars, the top of the trim is the side with the line of stitching.

5.4) Attach the B pillar trim to the B pillars.

5.5) Attach the under back windscreen trim – the notch in the trim is a centre mark.

Please Note The matching C pillar trim is fitted after you have installed the back windscreen.

Re-fit everything you initially removed

Now your new headlining is installed you will need to re-fit the front windscreen, back windscreen, C pillar trim, rear quarter windows, rubber window edge trim, rear view mirror, sun visors and the interior light.

1) Install the windscreens
We recommend that installing the windows is a job for two people and that you place a protective sheet (ideally some 2” foam) on the bonnet.

Please Note You install both the front and back windscreens in the same way.

We recommend that you lubricate the rubbers using car shampoo.

1.1) Feed the rubber edge trim onto the metal lip.

1.2) Place the bottom of the windscreen onto the opening lip on the rubber trim and push down, so it is fully in place.

1.3) With the bottom of the windscreen in place, start to feed the outer lip of the rubber over the window, working your way around the edge until the windscreen is fitted into rubber is fitted.

1.4) Once the windscreen rubber is correctly fitted you need to install the chrome (occasionally black) plastic filler strip into the gap in the rubber.

You will need to use a windscreen filler toll for this stage.

1.5) Place the plastic filler strip into the end of your windscreen filler tool and insert the tool into the groove on the rubber (staring in the middle at the top).

Simply push around the screen until the filler strip is installed within the groove.

2) Fit the matching C pillar trim
The C pillar trim simply fits in the space between the parcel shelf, back windscreen and back side window and is held into place by the back window rubber edge trim.

3) Install the rubber edge trim
Install the rubber trim to the:

3.1) Back quarter windows (both sides).

3.2) Front doors (both sides).

4) Install the back quarter windows
We recommend that installing the rear quarter windows is a job for two people.

4.1) Place the windows into place on the Mini.

4.2) Secure the windows (4 screws per window).

5) Install the interior headlining trim and fixtures

5.1) Install the back view mirror (2 screws).

5.2) Install the sun visors (2 screws in each visor).

5.3) Install the interior light (2 screws).

[NewtonComm]

For anyone who might still be looking to fit Mini Headlining in a mk3 to mk7 Mini, we've created a comprehensive guide with photos here http://www.newtoncom...nis-mk3-to-mk7/