Hi, I'm in the process of renewing my MGF hardtop headlining, and am reaching the point of attaching the new material to the 'card' or biscuit.
I'm planning to use a spray-on adhesive (applied to the card surface), but I'm concerned about how to get the fablic to lie even, flat and reasonably taught. I'm assuming there won't be any ability to move the fabric around once it's made contact with the adhesive - or am I wrong? Or should I apply the adhesive in 'bands' one by one, and somehow work outwards from the centre?
Any suggestions from those who might have done this job?
Hardtop Headlining Renewal
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
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Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
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Notanumber
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:48 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: TF 135 Sunstorm
Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
I did mine recently and in fact was able to reuse the existing vinyl once i had stripped off it's thin layer of decaying foam which had separated from the biscuit to cause the sag .
I did it a bit at a time, tough work but it went fairly well. It is possible to lift a bit back off again to reposition but be careful as it can make the semi dried adhesive bobble which can be visible if pronounced. I wished I had done mine when someone was around to help as it would have been much easier.
I did it a bit at a time, tough work but it went fairly well. It is possible to lift a bit back off again to reposition but be careful as it can make the semi dried adhesive bobble which can be visible if pronounced. I wished I had done mine when someone was around to help as it would have been much easier.
Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
Notanumber, thanks.
I imagine if it was vinyl it might be easier, having more 'substance' than my rather flimsy material. So did you use a spray-on adhesive? And did you apply it over the whole surface, then start with the fabric in the middle and work outwards?
I imagine if it was vinyl it might be easier, having more 'substance' than my rather flimsy material. So did you use a spray-on adhesive? And did you apply it over the whole surface, then start with the fabric in the middle and work outwards?
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Notanumber
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:48 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: TF 135 Sunstorm
Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
I used a thin layer of a contact type spray on adhesive on both surfaces and gave it a few mins before starting to apply the vinyl a bit at a time. If I did it again I'd probably have gone for a different glue
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Rob Bell
- Committee Member
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Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
It is less difficult than you think, because until the glue has fully cured, you can peel apart and reapply.
My attempts at doing this are documented here: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/in ... lining.htm
My attempts at doing this are documented here: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/in ... lining.htm
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Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14438
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
It is less difficult than you think, because until the glue has fully cured, you can peel apart and reapply.
My attempts at doing this are documented here: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/in ... lining.htm
My attempts at doing this are documented here: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/in ... lining.htm
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Steve55
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 7:12 pm
- MGF Register Region: East Midlands
- Model of Car: MGTF 135 Sunstorm
- Location: E Mids
Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
I did 2 hard top linings and did it in bands as you suggested. I used high temp spray adhesive on both surfaces and used a roller to press it down. Very pleased with the results. Don’t forget to overlap around the edges then cut back for the fasteners.
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EllsoJo
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:26 pm
- MGF Register Region: Devon & Cornwall
- Model of Car: MGTF135 (2002)
- Location: Rawridge EX14 9PT
Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
Airbusguy: 3 comments:
1. Having done only 1 headliner, and tried to be "Clever" stretching the new material onto a frame then trying to spray & lay it in one go, I would agree with STeve 55 , and do it in bands.
2. The general advice is that as hardtops get hot in the sun (when it finally appears this year!) a temperature-resistant adhesive is advisable.
3. Try to find a Temperature-resistant adhesive which more-or-less matches the colour of your new headlining material. The stuff I chose turned-out to be bright blue: Good for seeing where and how much you have sprayed, not-so-good if (like me) you do the smallest bit of over-spray, which is very visible at the edge of my new headlining!
1. Having done only 1 headliner, and tried to be "Clever" stretching the new material onto a frame then trying to spray & lay it in one go, I would agree with STeve 55 , and do it in bands.
2. The general advice is that as hardtops get hot in the sun (when it finally appears this year!) a temperature-resistant adhesive is advisable.
3. Try to find a Temperature-resistant adhesive which more-or-less matches the colour of your new headlining material. The stuff I chose turned-out to be bright blue: Good for seeing where and how much you have sprayed, not-so-good if (like me) you do the smallest bit of over-spray, which is very visible at the edge of my new headlining!
Re: Hardtop Headlining Renewal
We did this last year, I found various ways to do it on the forums and decided to do half at a time. With two of us it was a very quick and easy job and certainly as good as from the factory. One big difference was that we used a contact adhesive for the turned over edges, this gives a very secure fit, no idea if there is any long term benefit though. The turning over of the edges and contact adhesive took probably three times as long to do though.