National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

My '60 7EC is nearing cover and I'm interested in anyone's input on headliners and interior kits. I've done a bunch of mods, such as a skylight and extended baggage like a Citabria, and have been looking at Airtex and A/C Spruce and would like to hear anyone's experience with either headliners and anyone's interior kit. Doing it myself doesnt scare me. Not interested in having it done.

Thanks in advance,
Steve near Chicago

Steve,

Don Jones in Guam makes really nice, leather seat cushions for Aeroncas for much less then the cost of Airtex Vinyl ones. The colors are limited, but they are light weight and great quality. He is a U.S. Citizen in a U.S. Possession, which has U.S. Postal rates and everything I have bought from him comes quickly and with low postage costs. He is on Barnstormers and Ebay and also has brake parts, Embosed Wheel Covers, Throttle / Trim plaquards etc.

donjones@guam.net

Box 25532
Barrigada, Guam 96921
U.S.A.

I used Airtex for my Champ though as I did not know about Don at the time. They have interiors, headliners, carpets, panel top carpet pads etc.

Hope that helps.

Bob

Thanks, Bob.

As far as headliners go, wool or vinyl? Any words of wisdom?

Steve

I used an Airtex wool headliner. It fit perfectly, was easy to install and looks great. Make sure you install it BEFORE covering the fuselage. Their glue is a must, and works great for other stuff too. Also, Airtex apparently does not stock the headliners but makes one when ordered. Be prepared for a couple of weeks lead time. The wool is shrunk after installation by spraying lightly with water. I did a second shrink a week later and it looks realy good (to me, anyhow).

Brian Walker
'46 7 AC-DC

I installed a wool headliner in my 7 AC and it looks great.

I'd opt for the wool, too. I installed one (Airtex) for a friend and it fit nice. If you're looking for original I believe they were a sort of vinyl. At least that's what was in my Champ.
Mikeb

I installed an Airtex Off-White two-way stretch Vinyl headliner in my Champ.
I also did the Skylight and the Extended Baggage, so I ordered a Citabria
Headliner and an extra yard of headliner material.
Being it was one of the first things I put into my Champ, I rolled the
fueslage upside down and laid the headliner on the frame and
glued it down. Looks good.

I installed an Airtex Off-White two-way stretch Vinyl headliner in my Champ.
I also did the Skylight and the Extended Baggage, so I ordered a Citabria
Headliner and an extra yard of headliner material.
Being it was one of the first things I put into my Champ, I rolled the
fueslage upside down and laid the headliner on the frame and
glued it down. Looks good.

I have a vinyl headliner, note sure the brand, installed in '88. It held up okay, but did get a few rips in it over the years. A wool headliner will stand up to more abuse over the years. I wonder which is lighter weight.

Have you considered a ceconite/Dacron headliner like a cub?

nkh

I am not considering a ceconite headliner. I like the more "finished" look of wool or vinyl.
I was just at the ACA factory and they are doing very nice vinyl. I like the rolled look around the skylight frame.

Steve near Chicago

I installed Airtex wool headliners in both a champ and prewar chief, 12 years ago. I'm replacing both, as they have aged to the point of deteriorating and fading. I live in a warm climate in the summer and wonder if that is one of the causes even though the planes are in an open hangar.
Richard

I installed an Airtex wool headliner in a Cessna a seven years ago and it was a breeze! The 7CCM I'm repairing has an Airtex vinyl headliner that is six years old and it looks new.