Project Reclaim from Mustangs Plus and The Restomod Shop has been progressing quietly for the past few months on its way to completion this fall. The engine and transmission have been installed. Soon to come are windows and the interior. Right now, we're going to show you how to install a headliner using Reclaim as an example.
For years, we have been limited to the Mustang's original moonskin headliner along with factory colors. However, TMI Products has changed all that with colors and materials that will make your Mustang as distinctive as your individual desires. TMI Products now offers a simulated leather material (vinyl) designed to add richness to a classic Mustang interior. For Project Reclaim, we've decided to go with a cool Graphite Gray to match the rest of the interior. Custom Sports Seats from TMI Products will follow.
Headliner installation requires patience and perseverance. However, you can do it in your home garage using scissors, a razor knife, heat gun or hair dryer, 3M Trim Adhesive, and roughly six feet of wind lace. Headliner installation mandates windshield and rear window removal, so count on purchasing new windshield and backlite gaskets along with the appropriate flexible sealer.
Richard Bramlett from The...
Richard Bramlett from The Restomod Shop lays our TMI headliner in the sun to get it warm and pliable, making it easy to stretch. Richard has performed many headliner replacements, so he knows a headliner needs to be flexible for easy installation.
Quiet Ride Solutions installed...
Quiet Ride Solutions installed sound deadening in Reclaim, which will make a tremendous difference in ride quiet. It's affordable and very effective.
Headliner bow location is...
Headliner bow location is very important. Ford had its own color-coding system for headliner bows. Although Richard has come up with his own color coding system based on the way these bows came out, here's what you can expect to find from an original car.
Colors may vary from generation...
Colors may vary from generation to generation and plant to plant: Front: natural or purple (shortest bow); second bow: green (next longest bow); third bow: pink (next longest bow); fourth bow (hardtop only, longest bow): natural or plain.
Before installation, Richard...
Before installation, Richard suggests carefully cutting the headliner sheathes just enough to allow flexibility at the sides. Don't cut too much.
These tension wires can be...
These tension wires can be found attached at the roof rail and aft bow in fastbacks and hardtops. They keep the headliner stiff once all connections are made. Make sure you have both. Without them, it's impossible to achieve proper tension.
Ron Bramlett of Mustangs Plus...
Ron Bramlett of Mustangs Plus helps Richard clear the first hurdle of headliner installation, which begins at the rear with the first bow. Some prefer to begin in front. However, if you're going to have problems, it's better if they're in the rear. Each bow location yields at least two pairs of attachment holes to give you flexibility because no two headliner kits are alike.
Ron and Richard move to the...
Ron and Richard move to the second bow to establish dimension and fit. Again, Ford gives you at least two choices on bow positioning. Install the bow and check headliner positioning and stretch. Too much slack? Try a different hole combination.
Headliner installation continues...
Headliner installation continues toward the front. The objective here is to establish proper fit before anchoring the headliner at each end.