9 replies to this topic

[wilsonch]

I am looking for a guide, with pics if possible of how to fit the headliner on my sportpack.

 

I have seen and read the 'how to's ' on the forum already and even looked for a good tutorial on the Tube.

However everything I can find is 'just words' or the YT vids on the subject show a liner with clips on then are cut and show the finished article.

 

Basically i am bricking it when it comes to cutting the liner around the pillars. I dont want to make an expensive mistake.

 

There is the added bonus of the interior light to contend with, that no one seams to mention.

 

So is there a 'where to cut' guide for this job.

 

Thanks

Chris 

[Midas Mk1]

Just need patience, essentially put the correct rods in the liner, hook the rods into the inner roof rail, then use about 100 bull dog clips tense the material all the way round the glass openings. Bit by bit stretch, leave over night, repeat till your happy, then apply contact adhesive.


Light area is a doddle, do that last once the liners tense, for the c pillars just cut slots in the material to allow to fit without creasing.

I will say with headliners it pays to get a decent one, well impressed with the Newton one I fitted in my MPi.

[wilsonch]

I have bought a mini spares one, so i would hope it's of a reasonable quality. I have a shed load of clips.
Had it clipped front to back for a while but haven't cut anyything.

But saying 'light area is a doddle' doesn't actually help me.
Do i need to cut out the area of the light completely or do I cut corner to corner and fold and glue the excess into the light recess.

[coopertaz]

if you have glued front and back then leave clipped overnight, do around door and side window apertures and leave again to go off. to cut light aperture slit from centre four slots to each corner but do not go right to corner then glue each triangle through hole to back of panel stretching it slightly as you go. if you have not gone right to corner panel will be hidden by liner.

Rear pillars easy as covered by trim panel for a and b post glue up to withing 5mm of end then fold material back to make a neat edge and glue to post pressing into body line.

easier than it sounds but just take your time and remember to keep glue off fingers !!

[wilsonch]

Thank you for the more detailed explanation.
I am hoping that the weather will be kind on Saturday so I can do this on my drive.
I have plenty of spray glue.
Thanks

[Bobbins]

The Minispares Mpi headlining is made by Newton, same as the one on the Newton website. When you say you have loads of clips you definitely need LOADS! I bought 50 mini bulldog clips (19mm I think) off eBay and I wish I’d bought 100 as Midas’ comment.

Once you’ve got it stretched out and in the position you want it, put plenty of clips on the section you intend to glue then do a small section, maybe 3” - 4” at a time. I trimmed as I went along using decent scissors, it’s surprisingly hard to cut. I used Evo stick (from a tin) and bought a pack of cheap brushes on eBay, the disposable type used for face painting.

Due to the absorbency of the Mpi cloth lining you can glue a small piece, apply a few bulldog clips, and it’ll be glued fine in only a few minutes, although I left the clips in place a lot longer. Just work your way round carefully, it took me 6 evenings to glue the 6 openings. At the pillars just fold it under, no glue because you’ll get in a mess, and cut the light opening to the corners, glue and fold in. Once you get going it’s quite easy.

Don’t forget to locate the sun visor holes before you finally seal up the front!

[sonscar]

Amazing to think people in the factory did this daily as the cars moved along,Steve..

[stuart bowes]

yeah but if you do anything enough times over and over again you end up able to do it with your eyes closed 

 

I bet they were doing it in their dreams at night as well probably enough to drive you insane

 

also though, how consistent was the quality of their work compared with someone who takes a few evenings and all the care and attention to do it perfectly.. how many times have you taken a mini apart and been amazed at what they got away with off the production line, i know for sure some of the welding definitely raises an eyebrow here and there

[wilsonch]

I think i am seeing my issues.

The pics you have posted (thanks you) appear to be of a material that looks like a spongy towel. (terrible description)

The material i have is more like a fake leather material. 

this means its much less compliant when it comes to moulding around the corners.

 

I have started the task and a guess you just have to take the plunge and cut....after much consideration but just do it.

 

lots of glue lots of clips.

[Bobbins]

The one you describe is not an MPi headlining.