Headliner Bows

[Greg Foster]

Alan and Wotsisname,
Thanks so much. My car has 5 bows and they are likely the same diameter as you had suggested....anyone care to add or educate?
So I take it the curlie cue pieces are placed into the end of each bow and then installed in the grooved area above the doors? Just a guess.....Could you please clarify? Also the screw and retainer clip ? How do these items work in conjunction with the bow?
Regards
Greg

[Bud English]

The clip and screw go over the "curlie cue" part of the clip and hold it in place. The single protruding wire end goes inside the tube. That fixes the ends. The position of the bow is fixed by the pockets in the headliner.

The Kunifer pipe suggestion is a great idea as is wrapping the tubing or painting it if you use something that may rust. My original tubes had no trace of rust but I might have just been lucky.

I'm home from my road trip (just). Give me a couple of days and I'll trace out those patterns for you. I have my tubes numbered so no problem there. I'll measure the tubing diameter as well. PM me with your mailing address.

[wotsisname]

As Bud has said,
I believe that you fit the retaining wires first and tighten up (I intend to silicone seal these). The "bows" with headlining hanging are then fitted and twisted (180 ? 90? degrees) into place, and should sit very close or touching (would this cause noise ?) the roof. Then the real fun begins ?
Adrian

[Greg Foster]

Thanks Adrian, Bud,
I've been away from my computer for a few days but want to thank you for your assistance.
Would really like to find the original bow from my car though.
Bud PM sent.
Regards!
Greg

[The Veg]

The included fastener is much bigger than the original...

Included with a headliner you bought somewhere? If so, where? I need a Plus 2 headliner.

[wotsisname]

I think I got the headliner (+extra material for rear trim panels & sunvisors) from Paul Matty. I'm not sure if it helps though as it has been stored in my loft for a long time. this was the lode star design.

Looking at my earlier comments.... some thoughts
The large clip shown is a No6 spire clips (U- shape). I found something that was more like the original fitting (1/8" rectangular push on flat clip).. but these didn't hold well when tightened so used the spire clips in the end.
I had one missing metal wire (to hold bows up). I made an additional from some stiff & springy wire, this didn't work well as the bow kept popping off. I took a split pin , adjusted it to fit the screw, by reforming the head around a drill bit and bent it to shape to hold the bow, this worked very well..I think the supporting wires need to bend/flex a bit.
The bows fit tightly against the roof at each end and then run horizontal in between (which becomes obvious when you look at the headliner).
I've fitted mine and wouldn't say I am completely happy with the finish. I've decided I can live with it for now, if it still bothers me when it's covered in sun-cream and hairspray , then I'll give it another go.

This is the first (only) one I have attempted and some of the following may be complete nonsense....

I think I pulled it too tight early on, this caused the stitched seams to become more obvious. I think all the initial "shaping" should probably be done with very little tension.
The edges just above the doors are not as well formed as I would like..it could be that the tape on the bows prevents the headlining sliding along easily and into shape.
I found the folding clips that you use for paperwork were the best thing to use and definitely use the right type of impact adhesive as this grabs well and you can remove the clips fairly soon
I would recommend trial fitting the rear panels, before starting and drawing a line along the top edge to give you a reference point for the rear corners.