Headliners

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 18:34

Headliners, ...Vinyl -vs- Cloth, Pros & Cons??
What did you use?
Jim

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 19:27

Jim: I used the Airtex wool headliner and very happy with the final product. Here are some pics if you would like to see more let me know. I removed a vinal that was in bad shape and was not aginst a new vinal but opted for the wool. A little intimadating at first on the install but shortly after starting it became clearer as to how to do it. I believe that the wool weighs alot less also, but not sure.

Del

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 19:54

Thanks Del, excellent post (with photos)
I too am leaning toward cloth, especially if it's lighter.
Jim

Post by **joea** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 20:19

Only downside I can see is that the vinyl would be easier to clean.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 23:35

I plan on using Heavy PolyFiber/Ceconite fabric; if I put one in at all.

A wool version from Airtex, would be my choice over the Vinyl.

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 00:50

I agree with Joe that keeping the light gray wool clean is a concern. I have gotton several different things on it and have found it hard to clean. The light gray is especially sensitive to blemishes due to the very light color. Vinyl would be a snap to I believe compared to wool.
The reason I liked wool over vinyl is the look and feel of the cabin area. I also put insulation between the headliner and the fabric to cut down on the heat in the cabin area from the sun.

Del

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:56

I also used the light grey wool from airtex. After the fuselage was covered, I got some of the wet sanded particles on the wool headliner. I had to call in a local carpet cleaner to clean the headliner. Its not perfect but it looks better.

Don't get me wrong, I would use wool again but be a little more carefull the next time washing the fuselage.

Dennis

Post by **joea** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 18:59

Never thought about using aircraft fabric and that might be a neat idea. Nathan pls let us know how it looks. It sure would be light!

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 21:28

My present Champ had a vinyl headliner that I thought was "good enough" when I covered the fuselage. Probably was original as I can't see in the logs where it was ever replaced. After I installed a grey wool on the second one I covered, mine looked pretty tacky

in comparision .

Comes under the heading of 'live and learn'

.

By the way: As tomorrow is Independence Day, go out and celebrate by exercising your freedom to fly

.

Mike Berg

Terry B. · Post by **Terry B.** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:40

I am getting close to installing my headliner (Airtex) and was looking at the above pictures. I purchased my project in the "bare-bones" state and did not remove the origional one. Is it necessary to install the headliner and incapsulate the wooden formers or can it be installed partially glued to the metal tubular structure and then install the wooden formers and finally attaching the headliner to the window frames?

Sorry first time post and learning. I have done covering before. I also have professional help, just that this is not a type of project that we have done in the past.

Thanks,

Terry
1946 Champ 7AC N2096E

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:30

Terry,
I install the headliner and leave the edges loose where the fabric needs to be attached. Mask off the headliner and after it's covered finish the edges.
I have installed them after covering the airplane but prefer to install them first, as described.
Paul

Post by **joea** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:36

Also have to say that the headlining in the Sedan I am flying is wool and now after having worked and experienced both, I sure like wool. Course that is before I get some stains on it!

Joe

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 17:22

Kind of along the same line: I wonder about using ceconite for the interior panels on my L16 for example.....a la the J-3's, etc. I probably should have thought more about it before as I'm finishing installing the outside fuselage fabric but it wouldn't be impossible to do and would be much lighter than metal panels. I'm guessing the original L16's came without any wall panels at all other than maybe the front left, although I can't prove it. Obviously, with a green house I don't need to worry about the headliner, though. Just a thought............................

.

One other thought from my wooden head: on a previous post I mentioned that I left the old headliner in place when I covered my present Champ as I thought it looked 'good enough' which it is. But thinking ahead, and after I finish the L16, I want to rebuild the wings on the Champ and possibly replace the headliner. Has anyone had good luck or any tips on replacing the headliner with the fuselage fabric in place? The only way I've seen it done is to cut a big chunk of fabric out of the top of the cabin but not sure I want to go that route. It's not really that bad and I don't want to get myself into a big mess either but it would help freshen up the cabin a bit.
Another just a thought.............................long range.......having fun.

Retirement is great

!!!!
Mike Berg

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Headliners

Headliners

Installing Headliner