Ok, so I'm probably not the first dummy to do this, but I'm wrapping my headliner in suede and for some reason I decided to remove the original carpeting. The headliner still has it's shape, it's just a little.... flimsy. I searched around and read to leave the factory fabric on. I shoulda did that beforehand....
I need some opinions on how to stiffen it up a bit. I've thought of using a little bit of fiberglass resin to harden the liner, or even using cardboard to help it. It looks good as hell wrapped, but like I said it's a bit flimsy.
I really don't wanna find another headliner right now and start from scratch. Any advise would be awesome.
Fiberglass resin would probably be your best bet. When I made my master chief armor (initially it was thick cardstock paper) i put 3-4 coats of resin on it before fiberglassing it. The coats of resin held the shape of the pieces just fine, especially since hardening fiberglass likes to warp. Resin coating should do the trick.
Dave
Fiberglass resin doesn't have any reinforcing strength, it's just a glue. The fiberglass mat or cloth is what gives it the strength. Woven fiberglass gives the best lateral strength.
the only thing that worries me about using fiberglass is how thin the headliner got once I removed the original carpet. Since the headliner is now wrapped in suede i'd be weary of the resin soaking through to the suede. The material does have a foam backing though.
bradsk88 wrote:Fiberglass resin doesn't have any reinforcing strength, it's just a glue. The fiberglass mat or cloth is what gives it the strength. Woven fiberglass gives the best lateral strength.
I know it dosen't help with reinforcing at all, when it dries (without fiberglass) it obviously becomes hard. I saw it as making the piece more rigid while retaining some flexibility. at least thats how my experience has gone with it. As for putting the resin on the foam Im not sure how that will work out. Is it that grey speckled looking foam?
Dave
i'll have to post a pic when I get home, but it's the backside of the headliner that I wanna reinforce. The suede has a foam backing and is attached to the front.
TheSundownFire (GME Chat) wrote:Doesnt resin eat foam?
Some. I have a feeling the foam backing on a headliner would be disolved by resin...
It's actually not that bad. The resin soaked into the paper backing pretty good and I threw down a few layers. Looks like I'll have to do a little of both and brace with some cardboard. Oh well.... next time I'll remember not to remove the original backing.
