Fiberglassing headliner...

[bigwheel15 10+ year member]

Okay, I am planning on fiberglassing my headliner and have some questions. Also just to let you know this will be my first fiberglassing indevor.

First it will be going in an 85 caprice. Now what im thinking is just take down the headliner, lay it down then tape it up so I can get the mold off. Then lay down some fleece and start laying on the resin. Now to the questions.

1. What can I do to keep the strength of the mold since fiberglass is strongest in curves and this will have long stretches of flatness. Will it be strong enough like that?

2. How do you make the mold come off without tape coming with it? Is there something to make it come off easier?

3. Where can I get a good amount of fleece at? Fabric shop?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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[repo24 10+ year member]

1. put on lots of layers of heavy chop mat

2. put some type of lubricant on the tape before you start glassing, such as wd-40, pam, silicone spray, etc. EDIT: I have also heard that blue "painter's tape" lets the mold come off easier, but have not tried this myself.

3. A fabric shop would be your best bet. Heck, if you find it on clearance, you can get 1yd x52" for like $3-4.

Hint: Buy your resin/hardener/fiberglass mat at a marine supply store, it is MUCH cheaper...

 

[bigwheel15 10+ year member]

How many layers should I put? I can get the resin free so im not too worried about that.

 

[robbie_turner 10+ year member]

depends on how big your speakers are going 2b. im in the middle of doing the same thing. it depends on your mat i would think 3 or 4 will be ok.

 

[cheeseburger35 10+ year member]

i didn't even think he was using speakers in his headliner....i took it as he just wanted it fiberglassed but maybe i'm wrong

 

[Jesse98 10+ year member]

if you were willing to waste a headliner it might be tons easier just to resin the fabrick on the headliner and then fill over it. or not, if the headliner isnt holding any wieght other than itself 2-3 layers should be fine. gonna look cool, gonna post pics when its done?

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

what are you glassing this thing for? just to paint? if so- go to a junk yard and pick up one outta an old junker, and just drop resin on the whole thing and let it dry (hopefully it will fit and not warp)

you DO NOT want to use 'fleece' instead of fiberglass, UNLESS you are making a stretch mould. otherwise, a few layers of fiberglass should be fine

 

[crhye250r 10+ year member]

Just a thought. Once you get the glassed piece finished, how do you plan on getting it back into the car? I have recovered several headliners, and haven't been able to get a single one back in without bending it. The only way i could possibly see getting it back into the car is remove the windshield or back glass.

 

[smullen 10+ year member]

Just a thought. Once you get the glassed piece finished, how do you plan on getting it back into the car? I have recovered several headliners, and haven't been able to get a single one back in without bending it. The only way i could possibly see getting it back into the car is remove the windshield or back glass.

Exactly what I was thinking, except I did not think the window trick would work as the headliners are usaully wider than the front or rear windshield....

I have seen a few headliners done like this and they were all dine in the truck itself... Talk about a PITA..... Applying resin upside down, then all that sanding and then finally painting upsde down.....

Sheesh,,,

 

[bigwheel15 10+ year member]

Hhmmm, you do have a point. I have a wagon so I have a little room to get it out, I only need a slight bend to remove it. Is it really that strong that there is no bend in it, what if I just use 2 layers, would it be bendable yet still hold its shape well?

IF this works I can just resin the headliner, because the main reason for this is to paint it. If I do this would it likely warp it, or is it just an off chance?

 

[BDIDDY 10+ year member]

I would try to find a nice headliner with the material already on it, no sags or huge rips, then drop some resin onto it. Once you are done there come back with some kitty hair, just for extra comfort when bending it to get it back in the car. Have fun getting that thing prepped and straight for some paint...

 

[bigwheel15 10+ year member]

That is actually a very good idea BDIDDY, looks like I have my plan, any objections?

 

[smullen 10+ year member]

That is actually a very good idea BDIDDY, looks like I have my plan, any objections?

I dunno, I'm thinking if you flex it its gonna break..

If you make it strong enough to not break, it won't flex enough to fit in the ride...

Have you glassed anything before??? I'd deffinatly try one from a junk yard 1st just to get down your technique.... Gotta start somewhere...

 

[BDIDDY 10+ year member]

I dunno, I'm thinking if you flex it its gonna break..
If you make it strong enough to not break, it won't flex enough to fit in the ride...

Have you glassed anything before??? I'd deffinatly try one from a junk yard 1st just to get down your technique.... Gotta start somewhere...

I don't think it would crack all that easy with 2-3 layers plus a small layer of kitty hair. Plus he has a wagon so it's not gonna be that hard to get it in and out...

 

[bigwheel15 10+ year member]

Yeah smullen, im going to the junk yard christmas break and getting a headliner from another caprice wagon. Also yes, this is my first attempt to fiberglass so I think it will be a good practice and learning experience. Do you think ill need to use and body filler?