Topic: headliner installation question

[y88rick]

I am working on installing my new headliner.. had a few stumbles along the way since this abs plastic isnt very forgiving. now that i am past that im looking for the best idea to cut the t-top openings out of it without tearing up the material.
PLEASE HELP im either having a huge brain fart right now or im just too tired to think.
there is a car show that i'd like to get this thing to by saturday but the clock is ticking too loudly here or something and im losing hope on making it.

[RENOVATIONS]

I guess you're using the headliner board for a hardtop car on a Hurst top car, right?

I used the interior trim pieces  to hold the board up inside the car... after making sure it was located properly, I used a Sharpie to trace out the hatch openings on the exposed backside of the board.

Double (and triple) checked that the placement inside the car matched the lines I had marked and then removed the board from the car.
Used a durable (the ABS boards are tough stuff) blade and cut out the hatch openings. A little more shaping with the blade was still required after putting it back in the car but turned out nicely.

And since you're using the 1st design Hurst weatherstripping (assuming again, from memory), your edges will be hidden by the interior seal around the hatch openings.

[y88rick]

yes and you got it right.
what kind of durable blade did you use? i tried a utility knife and that doesnt seem to work worth a crap. i thought about grabbing the saws all and doing it with the headliner in the car.
WHAT A PITA!!!

[RENOVATIONS]

That's exactly what I used...a heavy utility/carpet knife...broke a few blades but it worked.

[y88rick]

ohhh great how sucky this will be lol thanks

[eroc022]

dont cut yourself..... im in the process of doing the same thing, but mines on a fisher top roof, and i have the original cardboard hardtop headliner in great shape....

[y88rick]

rub it in buddy rub it in. i wish i had the carboard

[eroc022]

id trade you if you were down the road, i wish i had the abs.....

[y88rick]

you wouldnt be saying that if you had it lol

[eroc022]

very nice video!

[78ta]

Rick,
Not sure how thick the ABS headliner board is but I use 1/8" and 3/16" ABS in the adapters and cup holders I make. If the ABS you're using is similiar to the stuff I use, and I would think it is, all you have to do is score it with a knife and you can then just bend it and it will break at the score mark. Obviously, the deeper you score it, the easier it will be to break it.
On the 68-72 Cutlass stereo and gauge housings I make, I have to shape/sand edges down to contour them. For this, I use an 80 grit flap wheel on a grinder. Knocks it down like butter.

[T/A Kid]

The ABS is a pain but I really like the looks of mine, patience is the key  good luck and hope you make the show!! I just went and saw the video that was a great job it will be a big help. I couldn't believe Hammer did all the work or maybe he just wanted the camera time either way this is Attaboy Hammer day, all kidding aside Mike you guys did a great job!

[y88rick]

well i used believe it or not.... TIN SNIPS worked like a champ i will post pictures soon

[y88rick]

i'll get you some buddy i promise just give me a day or two to straighten out the y88 situation and get my garage back in order.