head liner custom idea

[markmitch]

I was walking around a lumber yard today and seen what they called oak door skin and thought wow that could make a nice headliner. Its somewhat flexible and has a nice grain. its approximately 16 bucks a sheet and each sheet is 8' x 4' I think I will need 3 sheets to do the whole ceiling. I will buy a sheet Friday and try the area above the drivers/passengers area. I will take pictures.

[timothy47130]

Sounds like a plan to me. I wish mine was that easy to re do. Mine has a up fitter supplied rear ac that has 2 humps in the headliner for the 6 little round ac vents in the roof. I like a van with a lot of fine finished wood in the interior . They didn't do it much with the vans of the late 90s and into the 2000s like they did in the 70s and 80s. So please post pics. Lets us see your wood


Tim

[icebrrg3rd]

...So please post pics. Lets us see your wood...

Ok

Not to hijack, but there is a process called water dipping/water transfer/hydrographic film that can apply a woodgrain pattern to almost anything (similar to applying decals to a plastic model car). So for not too much money your dash could look like that.

Mark, I'd like to see that headliner once done. Wonder how well it would hold up.

-Andrew

[timothy47130]

...So please post pics. Lets us see your wood...

Ok

Not to hijack, but there is a process called water dipping/water transfer/hydrographic film that can apply a woodgrain pattern to almost anything (similar to applying decals to a plastic model car). So for not too much money your dash could look like that.

Mark, I'd like to see that headliner once done. Wonder how well it would hold up.

-Andrew

Good idea but I don't think it would be to my liking with the dash bezel having the deep texture to it that it does. On second though I guess I could always sand all that texture off.


Tim

[astroracer]

If you use a high build primer you can simply bury it in primer then block it to smooth out the texture. Much easier then sanding the plastic. may take a couple of coats but it will go quick.
Mark

[tedanderson]

People used to do that in the 70's with wall paneling. It always came out pretty nice.

[sixsix]

That wood for the Headliner sounds cool and like it would look nice with the proper finish, screws & washers.

But personally, other than that - Wood - in any form or disguise - is hideous in these Vans.





Mike

[redfury]

Heh, my wife absolutely hates interior wood unless it's real ( such as in conversion vans ). I thought there was a place that you could still buy the wood grain overlay for our dash panels..http://www.dashkitspecialties.com/CTAO96A.html

[markmitch]

I have a roll of carbon fiber look contact paper I may try it on the dash gauge bezel( mines an 89) if I don't like it I simply peel it off.

[markmitch]

This idea will not work (at least not for me) the door skin is way to stiff to use in this fashion it will crack when forced to contour to the ceiling so I am gonna get the factory stuff and recover it.

[markmitch]

Anyone here ever do a van headliner with any other material then what is stock? I attempted to get the factory stuff at pick n pull but without a decently sized truck its nearly impossible I tried to find one today and only 1 1st gen van and the headliner was no good.

[timothy47130]

I re did one in a truck once with black vinyl. I scrapped off all the old foam crap that was stuck to the factory headliner board with a credit card. It dont have to be perfect but the more you get off the better. Then use some good 3m glue and attach the vinyl starting from the center out to work all the wrinkles out. I had the truck 4 years after that and it never sagged or come unglued.


Tim

[markmitch]

I don't have the original material mine was all broken when I took it out of my van so I tossed it. I will figure this out later.

[redfury]

in order to get that board to work you'd probably have to steam the edges where you need it to bend more. I'm sure it's possible to get it to flex, but would likely not care for the end result. Just did the headliner in my Bonneville, it was harder to remove the old foam than it was to put the headliner material on. Got lucky and found my color at a Hancock fabrics store that was closing for 60 percent off. Total cost to do the headliner with 2 cans of glue? $40. The glue cost more than anything.

[markmitch]

ok so I redid my headliner with tan colored wool, I got the foam board from a parts van and cleaned them and recovered them, I also bought this little compartment at pick n pull from a ferd mini van of some sort and cut a hole in my floor and added the compartment. I will use it to keep a tow strap,first aid kit and flash light with batteries separate in a ziplock back.

[markmitch]

By the way the wooden things are T shaped things I made from junk wood to hold the headliner in place while I reassemble the interior and make modifications which I will show later. Mark