Today I managed to slip all of my headliner bows into my new PUI headliner.

Now I have the headliner in place with the bows in their holes.

However, I noticed the old headliner had wrapped around the metal plates above the windows (don't know what they're called) and were glued to the metal plate.

Now here's the problem:

I am not able to pull the headliner around the metal where the bows are. The bows are in the same holes they came out of and they are in the right order.

The only way I can see to do this is to cut some of the headliner bow sleeve away so I can pull the headliner the rest of the way around to the metal plates. Before I go any further is there a better way? Or is this the correct way?

Also I would like to know what glue I should use to glue the new headliner to the plates?

BTW this is on a '71 Malibu 2 door coupe. Thanks!

IIRC, I had to "customize" my headliner a little to get it in. you use contact cement to glue it on on the metal ledges. I went to an office supply and bought about 100 of the little squeeze clamps used for paper to hold it. once you get it in place and lined up a little you can trim off most of the excess with a razor knife. Then start going around crisscross with the clamps and get it close. then I dropped a section a foot or two long, one at a time, applied the contact cement to the cloth and metal, let it dry and pulled it into place and clamped it. be careful after the contact cement dries, it will stick instantly on touching. It's the only one I've ever done or even seen done. It's not perfect but it's good enough.

BTW, both my windshield and rear glass needed reset so I had a guy come over and pull them, made the whole deal massively easier. Also pulled the seats, gives a lot more room to crawl around in there. you need good access while stretching it across the roof. I really don't know how anybody does it with the glass in.

Thanx Tom. I got it up but I'm having a problem with keeping it from puckering up. This is my first time doing this.

I was curious if I should just glue down the centers on all 4 sides of the car first and then work towards the corners?

BTW I used the 3M 08090 glue for mine.

Usually it is necessary to clip the bow sleeves back some..

Yes, the bow slips will need to be cut back roughly 3" to 4". You cut right up to where the corner is in the bow. Center and mount your center bow with the clips that are in the roof support across the top of the car. Then stretch and clip at 12 o'clock(front by mirror support), 6, 3 and finally 9 o'clock position. Hold with clips and start gluing the edges in.

Try this ....it has a great article and pics of a headliner install...http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/3915/mycar/interior.html...It helped me... hope it helps :beers:

Thanx for the link....though most of the pics don't come up.

Thanx for the link....though most of the pics don't come up.
I think there was something up with that websight as I just couldn't bring anything up. Try it again there are some good pictures of a headliner install there!

There is......they're using "geo*****ties" to host their pic....but what few pics I could see look pretty good....

the hanging extra length that extends from the bow seams. if you look above the metal rim where you glue the headliner to. at each bow there is an opening where you can thread the cloth through after you split it back. use this to pull tension on the headliner. that way you will be pulling the headliner straight not against your bows. HAHAHAHHA can you imagine it taking a day to install these things at the factory? there is always a better way, look think,look think and think how did these guys do this on an rolling assembly line.

I always thought it was machines that installed them.....was it humans?