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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Headliner ('39 Ford Deluxe Coupe)

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Discussion Topic: Headliner ('39 Ford Deluxe Coupe)

shadeboy

11-19-2022 @ 12:51 PM

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Hi All - I'm getting ready to install a headliner in my '39 coupe. I do have someone helping me that is familiar with installing headliners but he has never done a '39 coupe. When I got the car, the old headliner had already been removed. I have seen some videos regarding installation but never anything that goes from A-Z. At this point, I mostly want to be sure that I have all the pieces needed for a headliner installation. Besides the bow supports, what other pieces are needed? (tack strips, etc.). I would also like to identify the sequence and positions of the bow supports. Any help, links or photos would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

sarahcecelia

11-19-2022 @ 2:06 PM

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I did one on a 1968 Falcon; You need to put a strip of masking tape on each bow; Start with #1 in the front, then 2,3,4 and so on.Use a plastic tucking tool to tuck it in on the sides if that is the way it was. Try to get it fairly taught front to back; and the side to side; and eliminate any loose places so it is just "Fairly"smooth; if you get it smooth and want it slightly tighter; if it is cloth- you may want to spray it evenly with a LITTLE water to shrink it a little. Ihe Falcon headliner was vinyl and a LITTLE loose; but I just left it alone it for a few days (MAYBE A WEEK) and IT TIGHTENED UP!! (An upholstery pro told me to do that!He said if you have no wrinkles or creases, it will smooth out! He said ,"Don't worry about it!! Just give it some time and it will straighten itself out.") and it did!!And it was perfect!!
.

Regards, Steve Lee

shadeboy

11-21-2022 @ 4:06 PM

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Steve - I appreciate the installation tips but at this point, I am looking for some insight as to all of the parts needed for a headliner installation on my '39 coupe. I believe the 38-40 coupes are identical in this respect. Besides the headliner itself and the bow supports, there are other parts that are needed. (I believe tack strips and who knows what else). I have some parts with pointy 'fingers' on them that would appear to be for gripping the headliner and may go around one of the windows but I really have no idea where these go, what their purpose is or if there are more (similar) parts that I am missing. Before I launch any effort, I would like to be certain that I have all the needed materials. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

RAK402

11-21-2022 @ 5:01 PM

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The "pointy fingers" on the body (good name for them) gripping the windlace on my 1940 Fordor Sedan.

On the 40 Fordor the strips are just over the tops of the doors. I suspect this is the same on all 1939/1940 body styles, but this is the only one I have ever worked on.

The metal strips go over this after the windlace is installed and the headliner tucks in between the windlace selvage and the strips (which also have the pointy fingers on the back).

The third photo shows front of the strips in place (before removal and with old foam still in place in ceiling (the foam is not correct, of course).

Make sure the headliner is centered on the bows-What sarahcecelia said about marking the centers of the bows with tape is spot on (you can feel it through the cloth sleeves). Chalk helps to mark the headliner cloth at the center.

There is a hook in the sheetmetal at the front fairly close to the windshield. After all the bows are in, but loose, the sleeve on the first bow should be pierced so that the hook engages the first bow. Then stretch the headliner toward the front and tack/staple it to the tack strip at the center, the move to the rear and do the same.

Work slowly and carefully on the windlace and headliner. This and the front seat back were the most difficult things for me when restoring the interior.

Staples work better than tacks, IMHO, when attaching the headliner to tack strips. On the Fordor contact cement is used to glue the headliner around the rear quarter windows and the rear windows.

Make sure that the headliner fabric is not so tight in front that you cannot install the Sun Visors.

My two cents, having very limited experience with this (and having done it twice now, 46 years apart).

This message was edited by RAK402 on 11-21-22 @ 5:28 PM

cpipp01@aol.com

11-22-2022 @ 4:27 AM

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See attached. A & B are the headliner retainers that mount above the door openings. C & D are the moldings that get covered in headliner material and mount on the A pillars before the windshield garnish moldings get installed.

40 Coupe

11-22-2022 @ 4:40 AM

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For the 40 there are also round wires that run from the rear of the quarter windows. They help form the area from the rear of the quarter to the rear window. Some of the roof bows may be numbered near their ends with screw holes, but I don't have the sequance. there are two vertical seals in the headliner under the rear window. The photos below are not mine.

This message was edited by 40 Coupe on 11-22-22 @ 4:52 AM

trjford8

11-22-2022 @ 9:06 AM

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In addition to the good advice that has been given I have found that using pop rivets to hold the windlace in place on the cowl panels and above the doors works well. The rivets are all hidden by the cowl panel retainers and when the headliner is tucked in over the doors. Be sure to install all new tack strips in the back of the door jambs , above the front header panel and everywhere else that tack strips are needed. I have found that the tack strip material sold by Drake and other vendors in various thickness works well. Using staples as previously suggested also works well. I use an inexpensive air stapler from Harbor Freight and it has saved time and wear and tear on my old hands. You can also follow along the story by RAK402 which chronicles his installation of his upholstery on his '40.

This message was edited by trjford8 on 11-22-22 @ 9:09 AM

shadeboy

11-22-2022 @ 2:10 PM

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My Thanks to all. This is the info I was hoping for. Should be tackling this project in the coming weeks. (Makes a good wintertime project).

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