Alcantara roof

[john 05141]

It is finally time.
I will be taking of my headliner, even though it is in perfect condition.

The roofbox will be replaced by a SS one from DMCEU, so I have to take the headliner of any way.
So now come the time to replace that headliner with Alcantara, something I always wanted to do.
I have already found a place in Holland that sells that Alcantara on roll but now comes the question;

Has someone already replaced their Delorean headliner with Alcantara. I know there is one, but I cannot find him.
Or maybe someone who did this with another car?
I need to know if this material is flexible enough to take the corners from the headliners in the doors.
There is no foam underneath I think, so the surface of the cardbaord headliners must be made perfect first am I right?

Any tips are very welcome. It will be a winterjob, so there is no hurry.

Thanks,
Jan

[Bikercmbc]

Yes it was I who had the alcantara headliner Delorean. I sold the car to an owner on the forum up in New York since. I should still have the pictures on my flash drive I can send you in a few days. As for the material itself, there is foam backing that came in the headliner material I purchased. You are correct about it creasing in the corners of the door headliner pieces. I do not know if it has since relaxed, I could give you the owners name of the car now in a PM. I have also completed the alcantara headliner in my Lotus Esprit and can send you those pictures too. 36323

[papanoel]

I'm the owner. I'll take some photos tonight and will try to post them.

[john 05141]

Great, thank you both
But I see some type of corners in the Lotus as well.
I would like to do the A pillars too but those are impossible to reach with the windshield in place.

Looking forward to see the pictures, no idea it would be that easy to find you.
Thanks,
Jan

[papanoel]

Sorry have had a busy week. Will get you pics tomorrow. I promise!

[Bikercmbc]

Here are some of the Delorean when I had just installed the headliners.


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[SS Spoiler]

Do you have in floor heat?

[Bikercmbc]

Do you have in floor heat?

That is tankless water heaters. Never run out of hot water.

[john 05141]

Thank you for the pictures!!!

I can see there are wrinkles around the corner in the door headliner, but than again I see that with the regular headliner too sometimes.
Alcantara is pretty expensive material....

Jan

[Bikercmbc]

Alcantara is the "name brand" of the fabric and yes it is really expensive, like $140 a yard. you can find other brands other same fabric. look for Ultra Suede or even just suede headliner material. the one that is in both my cars is about $15.00 a yard. http://www.automotiveinteriors.com/headliners_readymade/order_suedefb_material.htm only takes around 2 yards for the headliners, might get 3 yards due to re-ordering might have a different color when they dyed the fabric.

[David T]

Alcantara is the "name brand" of the fabric and yes it is really expensive, like $140 a yard. you can find other brands other same fabric. look for Ultra Suede or even just suede headliner material. the one that is in both my cars is about $15.00 a yard. http://www.automotiveinteriors.com/headliners_readymade/order_suedefb_material.htm only takes around 2 yards for the headliners, might get 3 yards due to re-ordering might have a different color when they dyed the fabric.

When considering any fabric for the interior of the car you should always inquire about the flammability of it. Some fabrics are made specifically for car interiors.

[john 05141]

Even the Alcantara is not that easy to find.
If I have to import it from the US, they add so many taxes, I can better search for something here. (On my trunk carpet I was charged 150€ import taxes, realy made me mad)

About the size I wil lrecalculate how many sqare meters a yard is.
I was thinking to do the A-pillars as well, but I deced not to because Ihave to do the trim on the door than too so I'll start with the roof.

I would also like to manufacture a small roof console, with some overhead light and a digital compass. Not too big.

Jan

[john 05141]

39184After some googeling around I found a good grey imitation Alcantara, which is self adheasive.
I read about glue penetrating the fabric and showing this in the result, this is perfect

The fabric arrived yesterday and the color looks good (I wanted a darker grey) I must say not too bad at all.
I paid 95€ for 1.2 meters by 5 meters.

Idid a glue test and that seens strong.
but there is one worry. This material is quite thin. The original or afternarket headliner is way more "foamy" I was worried every uneven detail would become noticeable but that is not a problem, Itried that.
It stretches very good so it will take evert corner allight, but I am worried that after putting it in, it will not fit right becasue there is less material. More precise at the dooropenings where the seal goes over

Any thoughts?
Advantage it that it might be great for the A pillars. I will try that first if that is not any kinf of overkill.

Jan

[Bikercmbc]

The headliner material that I used had the normal 5mm foam backing. As long as you follow the instructions for the glue you won't have any bleed through. You have to spray both parts with a light coat and then let them dry for about 5-10min. One tacky you pretty much have one chance to get them laid correctly. Will rip the foam if you have to move it or if you use too much glue and press down when still wet thats when it bleeds through. Will look like there is always a wet spot in the headliner.

As for the fitment issues, there might be somewhat bigger gaps but, even with the regular foam backed headliner material you squeeze the edges around the board so foam in compacted already. I don't think you should have any fitment issues there.

Just make sure when you do the center pieces you leave about 2 inches of extra material around the edges where it is glued to the roof box, you have to make relief cuts around the curves of the door hole in the headliner. Most of this will be covered back up once you but your door seal back in

[john 05141]

I know there is a bit of extra I need to keep around the door opening edges, I put on a headliner once before. It is actually not that hard.
But thanks for the tip.

Did another test and it is too thin. So I need to put a foamy thin layer first.
Is that common? Can you but that stuff?


Jan

[DMCMW Dave]

39184After some googeling around I found a good grey imitation Alcantara, which is self adheasive.
Ill.

Jan

Is it made for high temperature automotive use? Often self-stick materials don't hold up to temperatures that you might see inside a car on a sunny day and will come loose.

[john 05141]

You are right Dave.
I did spray the other side with adheasive spray first. Holds very good
Here in Belgium we seldom have those hot days.

Jan