Crist Clapper

Where can I purchase either backer-board material? Or a headliner shell?

bulrid8

If you had the old one to trace. you can make new one out of hardiboard. Lightweight and very strong. I use it for door panels all the time.

rmoore1031

You looking for new or used? I know of a Wagoneer with a decent looking headliner.

5-90

Headliners are usually pressboard - and if you find a cost-effective source, please let me know! I'm going to need one as well (which I plan to reinforce with fibreglas and modify just a bit...)

bulrid8

Like I said, this is what I use for headliners, door panels and interior panels. holds up very well and easy to work with. Just need to lay old liner board on it, trace and cut.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-8-in-4-...2777/202046928

Crist Clapper

I'm thinking that this product is not pliable to form the curves needed.

Crist Clapper

Here's the scoop... I have the original that I sent out and had a new headliner installed. Not good. When the old material was removed and created pot-holes in the old shell. Resulting in a visual bumpy appearance. Not the installers fault... The first/last redo of the headliner was obviously done by someone who didn't know the right way to do the job.

I am doing a restoration and need as close to perfect as possible.

So ideally... New would be preferable. If I could find a used one that had a smooth surface... That might work!

Wagoneer as in Cherokee/Wagoneer?

rmoore1031

Yeah an XJ Wagoneer, early year with I4 carb and 21 slot grill. Also found a Grand Wagoneer but not sure of the condition. It was surrounded by Mosquitos so I didn't get a good look inside.

bulrid8

That stuff is very pliable and strong

Crist Clapper

I am sorry I dismissed your suggestion. I will check this out. Thanks for the second nudge.

bulrid8

No problem. A lot of people don't know about it and use more expensive stuff. I have used that board for years on headliners and door panels. Easy to trim and lightweight.

5-90

Looks like MDF. Do you have to steam it to get it to take & hold a shape, or will it stay put on its own?

bulrid8

It holds pretty well on own. It is more like a paneling. For tighter bends. You can steam and jig it, then let it dry. Will hold shape better. XJ headliner has minimal bends, so it should be fine just cut to size.

Crist Clapper

I tried the pliable(s)... No worky. (for a restoration)
Had a fiberglass-shell made and covered... No good.

Anything new become available?

Jeepin'Hubb's

If you still have the old shell and it has low spots in the pressed fiberglass, couldn't you get a fiberglass resin and fill in the low spots?

I wish I would have tried something but I just slapped mine back together, now I've got new lumpy headliner...