OCD Project (Old Convertible Dakota)
#161
OK, think I finally got the pictures for this thread re-linked.
Now, on to my latest challenge. Dakota convertibles don't have much of a headliner (obviously, right?), but there is a narrow strip of headliner wrapped around a press-board panel, mounted at the top of the windshield frame. Mine was coming apart, probably due to moisture infiltration. To remedy this, I'm useing the old one, or what was left of it, to trace out a pattern for a new panel. The material I'm using for the new panel is .25" PVC sheet:
The PVC sheet will resist water and, it's fairly easy to shape it with heat. The original panel had the ends pre-formed into an arch that conformed to the windshield pillar trim. In order for my panel to look original, I copied the shape of the original. I did this using a heat gun, a wood clamp to hold the PVC panel, and an empty paint can to form the arch. The PVC is fairly easy to work, just heat a small area 'til its soft enough to bend, then hold it to shape until its cool:
Now, on to my latest challenge. Dakota convertibles don't have much of a headliner (obviously, right?), but there is a narrow strip of headliner wrapped around a press-board panel, mounted at the top of the windshield frame. Mine was coming apart, probably due to moisture infiltration. To remedy this, I'm useing the old one, or what was left of it, to trace out a pattern for a new panel. The material I'm using for the new panel is .25" PVC sheet:
The PVC sheet will resist water and, it's fairly easy to shape it with heat. The original panel had the ends pre-formed into an arch that conformed to the windshield pillar trim. In order for my panel to look original, I copied the shape of the original. I did this using a heat gun, a wood clamp to hold the PVC panel, and an empty paint can to form the arch. The PVC is fairly easy to work, just heat a small area 'til its soft enough to bend, then hold it to shape until its cool:
Last edited by ragged89; 12-08-2016 at 02:17 AM.
#162
Nice ! I have the same problem. I planned/plan on using/modifying the headliner from an outback wagon I had left over from another project.
Using that PVC sheet looks like a great idea.
Is .25" thicker than the original fiber material ?
The original has that metal reinforcing on one edge. Will the PVC be stiff enough to avoid reusing it ?
Using that PVC sheet looks like a great idea.
Is .25" thicker than the original fiber material ?
The original has that metal reinforcing on one edge. Will the PVC be stiff enough to avoid reusing it ?
#163
Nice ! I have the same problem. I planned/plan on using/modifying the headliner from an outback wagon I had left over from another project.
Using that PVC sheet looks like a great idea.
Is .25" thicker than the original fiber material ?
The original has that metal reinforcing on one edge. Will the PVC be stiff enough to avoid reusing it ?
Using that PVC sheet looks like a great idea.
Is .25" thicker than the original fiber material ?
The original has that metal reinforcing on one edge. Will the PVC be stiff enough to avoid reusing it ?
I still have to figure out the best way to attach the headliner material (think I'm going to use black vinyl) to the PVC. It can be tricky to get an adhesive to stick to PVC, especially where it will be exposed to varying temperatures. The metal stiffener may help hold the material in the front, if I rivet it in place. A tight tuck on the rear edge should help there.
#164
I still have to figure out the best way to attach the headliner material (think I'm going to use black vinyl) to the PVC. It can be tricky to get an adhesive to stick to PVC, especially where it will be exposed to varying temperatures. The metal stiffener may help hold the material in the front, if I rivet it in place. A tight tuck on the rear edge should help there.
Edit: This is the stuff I've used, but not sure if it works for PVC. For some reason 3M doesn't have that info online.
Fabric & Headliner Adhesive:
http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-u...2639006&rt=rud
They also make:
Multipurpose 27 Spray (Clear, and specifically mentions PVC and Fabric)
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...3194275&rt=rud
Super 77 Spray adhesive (not sure if it works with {PVC, nor is really clear. I have used to for insulation in hidden areas in cars.)
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...jstabDocuments
I'd give their tech support line a call. Their staff know their products well, and have been great to deal with, any time I've called them.
Last edited by RobertMc; 12-08-2016 at 06:32 PM.
#165
#166
Ragged...nice posting on the headliner piece. Out of curiosity is it the same piece advertised on this site....Item F, top pads:
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/c...-Dakota-Pickup
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/c...-Dakota-Pickup
#167
Ragged...nice posting on the headliner piece. Out of curiosity is it the same piece advertised on this site....Item F, top pads:
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/c...-Dakota-Pickup
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/c...-Dakota-Pickup