Anyone know how to remove the windlace retainers above the doors? I've embarked on the snowballing task to replace my windlace and headliner on my 58. These retainers have a couple screws per section but these retainers seem to be pressed in and I?m unfamiliar with them.
Yes. Just pulled all mine last week. Get a fairly grippy pair of pliers and twist 90 degrees. They are little wing looking things and should slid out when sideways. Mine were pretty tight. Also they do not actually hold the windlace, just the toothy strip for the headliner. Theres a box type of clip under the toothy strip that holds the windlace.
Fantastic!! Thanks for the quick reply. I guess my break is already over!
Thanks again. Got them out already and see what you mean about the clips holding the windlace and that strip for the headliner.
Glad i could be a contributer. Ive been a consumer on this site for forever it seems. Planning on trying to get the windlace back in this weekend unless something gets sideways.
I will be watching for updates on the install. Where did you get your windlace from? And headliner if you are doing that too.
I have not installed them yet, but I recently bought my headliner and windlace from SMS Auto Fabric in Oregon.
I got the windlace from Macs. Havent gotten the headliner yet. I was tipped off, from this site, that new windlace doesnt have the wire, and they were correct. So im going with Gasman826's method of 5/8x5/8 PVC trim as a tackstrip.
Rar1947, your headliner remnants look like my original liner, if it is/was, are you planning on replacing with the same, and were you able to find this pattern somewhere?
Yes, my old headliner looked much like yours, stains and all. I have not located a similar pattern and still researching vendors. I will have to look into the pvc tack strip method.
Not sure if its the same for 57s, but on my 59 64F base model (Ford Custom 300 2dr sedan/Meteor Niagara 300), my original headliner is gray cloth fabric, but the fancier models had a off white vinyl headliner with small black "dots" that look like holes, but are not actual holes. At first I considered going to the more upscale vinyl headliner, but decided to stay with the cloth version. SMS offers both styles for 59s, so it would not suprise me if they also carried both versions for a 57. Funny thing is, my 2 old 57 Ford Sedan Deliverys were at least as "bare bones" as a Custom sedan, but they both have vinyl headliners. Has anybody ever seen a 57 wagon or Sedan Delivery with a cloth headliner? What material is a 57 Ranchero made from?
The link is to more tack strip PICs at #88
http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=6759.msg68282#msg68282
Minor update on the windlace, since ive been slack in starting a proper build thread. Gasmans pvc tack strip deal worked great. I just put them inbetween the original clips, used the air body saw to cut them flush, stapled right up. I did not put tack strips down the wheel wells so i twisted some wire (20-24ga?) and re-enforced the seam of the lace. So far so good, ...if i dont knock it all out putting the rest of the junk back in.
take two...
Very nice job Eugene ! Liking how you painted the door openings and floor. looking great. I think SMS has the correct headliner material. their samples are spot on to the remnants I found in car. it is something like a woven bast material, not at all cloth or vinyl. ( at least for the wagons) it looks similar to the upper headiner pic.
looks......swanky! very nice.
Hey guys.... Gasman,Eugene. where do you purchase that pvc material?.. Better yet... where would be an option of getting a headliner and wind lace now that LeBaron bonney is gone and SMS makes me nervous?
Thank you!
link to Lowes but most building supply companies would stock similar.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/evertrue-actual-0-75-in-x-5-5-in-x-8-ft-common-pvc-board/1000443069?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-mlw-_-google-_-lia-_-122-_-exteriortrim-_-1000443069-_-0&kpid&store_code=88&k_clickID=go_625709507_34614233950_111133244950_pla-163470682620_c_9017374&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwODlBRDuARIsAMy_28UZvneqsroeqJ_mqIhgk3VIl4TGbVB52JVpLYEG1J4islUSKyOG_JAaArD0EALw_wcB
Headliner supplier??? Without a pattern, I would look for a old time auto upholstery. I used LB because they had patterns. If you have the old one as a pattern, most Ma & Pa upholstery can reproduce. There are mobile installers that do house calls. I still haven't got my Custom out of the Upholstery Jail...2-1/2 years and counting.
Yeah, i got the PVC at lowes also. It was the 5/8x5/8 square stuff in the trim/molding section.
No headliner for me yet. Waiting til im ready for window rubber.
Thanks Gary!
I have an old school guy and have been looking at the head liners and such from Mac's,Obsolete Ford,etc,etc.... they just seem odd is all.
Thanks Eugene!
My local Lowes had the 5/8x5/8 at one time. This last time, they were out so I just bought a 3"x8' PVC board and cut it. Don't forget to check JC Whitney for headliner. Just make sure it is perf'fed or cloth or something breathable. A lot of supply companies with windlace by the foot...even eBay.
I got my headliner at www.automotiveinteriors.com in Mass. I got the synthetic sueded cloth and love it. Tons of fabrics to chose from, and they'll send you a sample swatch board of colors / fabrics you want to look at. Your upholsterer may prefer the cotton, you may want to check with them. Cotton shrinks, and a little misting can remove small wrinkles. Synthetic doesn't shrink with water, and getting it tight is very time consuming..........ask me how I know. Same idea as stretching a canvas, Jeff. Synthetics are a pitb. I've never done a vinyl headliner, but I think a hair dryer will shrink it tight.
I just checked the website, they also have windlace. Their website has changed quite a bit from a few years ago, and their selection is not as large as it use to be. Other than that, I was happy with what I got 4 or 5 years ago, and their service was excellent.
pics: http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=5795.45 scroll down a bit, I think post #49.
Thank you Rich!.... I am away for the Easter weekend but will start to grapple this when I return..I would like to Thank EVERYONE who has responded.
Although I too have heard the horror stories about loooooong waits for delivery from SMS Auto Fabrics, but I must admit that when I ordered a headliner and windlace for my 59 2 door sedan last year, I did receive my orders somewhat expediently. On the 59 Fords, the base models came with a cloth headliner, while the fancier Fairlanes had a vinyl headliner. When I first placed my order, I originally asked for the vinyl headliner, but after several weeks, and no headliner, I called SMS, and they told me that they were waiting for the correct material. When I asked about the availability of the cloth material, they did have that in stock, with the correct gray color. So I had them change my order to the cloth headliner, and I got my headliner and windlace within a week. I have not had them installed yet, but the windlace and headliner materials and color look great. That said, on the SMS website, they show new door panels for my 59, and they look exactly like my original panels, but when I asked about how long it would take to get a set of door panels, they said 12 to 16 months!!