JBugs - 1971 VW Super Beetle - Headliner Installation

View our complete selection of air-cooled VW parts on the JBugs website: www.jbugs.com/
We’re about to cover one of the most difficult portions of restoring a VW Beetle, the headliner. Don’t fear though, we’ll show how with some patience and the right technique, just about anyone can install their own headliner. Our tech will go over the steps and cover tips that we’ve used for decades that have saved us time and most importantly money versus taking our cars to an upholstery shop.
Intro 0:00
Important notes: 1:05
Door pillar material installation: 1:49
Door pillar to quarter window installation: 4:22
Headliner bows installation: 5:17
Headliner roof test fit & configuration: 6:16
Headliner, roof to top of door opening installation: 7:15
Door opening to quarter window transition installation: 8:17
Roof to upper quarter window installation: 9:06
Headliner to windshield installation: 9:53
Rear view mirror installation: 11:12
Sun visors installation: 11:23
Upper rear window headliner installation: 12:12
Rear window to quarter window installation: 12:34
Rear to quarter window installation: 13:34
Side rear window headliner installation: 13:44
Headliner to fenderwell installation: 13:50
Lower quarter window material installation: 14:30
Lower rear window material installation: 15:52
Lower rear window material modification (lower edge): 16:35
Door pillar assist straps installation: 17:17
Dome light installation: 17:40
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Tools used in this video:
Mallet
Chisel
Marker
Plastic Trim Tool
Masking Tape
Scissors
Razor Knife
Bolt Cutters
Phillips Screwdriver
Pinch Welt / Snap-on Trip
Chemicals Used:
Spray Glue
Acetone
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Parts used in this video:
VW Conversion Style Headliner (20-1103-**)
www.jbugs.com/search.html?q=2...
Spray Glue (Sprayglue-GH)
www.jbugs.com/product/Spraygl...
Pinch Welt (113-131B-BK)
www.jbugs.com/product/113-131...
Headliner Bow (20-2010)
www.jbugs.com/product/20-2010...
Headliner Bow Caps (113-649)
www.jbugs.com/product/113-649...
VW Rear View Mirror (113857511L)
www.jbugs.com/product/1138575...
Sun Visor Clips (21-2019BK)
www.jbugs.com/product/21-2019...
Sun Visor Screw (111-086)
www.jbugs.com/product/111-086...
VW Black Sun Visors (21-2017)
www.jbugs.com/product/21-2017...
VW Rear Seat Backrest Stops (113-553)
www.jbugs.com/product/113-553...
VW Black Assist Straps (113-611B-BK)
www.jbugs.com/product/113-611...
VW Black Coat Hook Covers (133-639-BK)
www.jbugs.com/product/133-639...
VW Dome Light Lens (111947111E)
www.jbugs.com/product/1119471...
All parts used in this video are available at: www.jbugs.com/
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Music Provided By:
Keep It Real by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
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Videos are intended for entertainment purposes. Factory specifications should be followed when performing any task on your vehicle.

[@joshcosta423]

I've seen some beetle headliner videos on KZbin and I think all of those DIY'ers needed this video in their life before they put their wrinkle job on the internet! Great job Sam👍🏼

[@earlt_vw]

This scares me more than any other resto work. I have seen many bad installs. Your video is very helpful I will watch it about ten more times. Thanks!

[@Sam_Mebane]

It isn't so bad, especially the conversion styles. They aren't as inexpensive as they used to be, but even buying two isn't as bad as paying someone else to do the install. If you don't like the results of the first one, hopefully you've learned some tricks and the second one will be much better.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Stop and think about it...VWs factories were literally pumping out thousands of Beetles per day and each one needed a headliner installed. The folks doing this on the assembly line must have been AMAZING at their jobs

[@Sam_Mebane]

We've thought that many a time! Then again, if your ONLY job was to install a headliner in a Beetle, I'd have to think you be pretty good at it too, it's all relative.

[@t2stu]

Thank you so much for this. Your video was perfectly paced for someone who hasn't done this before. Did my first headlining today. Not professional but I've seen worse so I'm happy.

[@michaelnelson9140]

I’m not doing a headliner, but I did learn how some things are attached, that have come off.

[@DroidzandBrix]

I will say: if you manage to install a beetle headliner, be it an original style headliner, an easy install headliner, or a makeshift piece of carpet (as is my case) you’re probably the most patient person in your group

[@Sam_Mebane]

I'll agree with that! Although patience comes in many forms, I am patient with some things and not so much with others!

[@clayton19931]

My first bug was an old cal look from the 80’s, it had a grey velour headliner that looked really good

[@Sam_Mebane]

Ah, the good old days when velour was as good as it got!

[@MarioMartinez-tb1lh]

Your videos have been a lot of help me and my son are rebuilding a 65 VW bug thank you and keep it up

[@58Repairables]

That is an excellent video! I have a ‘71 Super and need to do this same thing this winter. I’ll be watching this a few times. Thank you!

[@farwestsidesti]

Graeat video for reference. I think it was on my phone for the entire day while installing ours! Vinyl was definitely not as nice to work with.

[@Sam_Mebane]

A heat gun is a necessity when working with a vinyl headliner, for sure.

[@donalddenning2383]

Nice progress. Interesting color choice. Snap trim is a smart tool option tool.

[@Endfloat]

Fantastic video, thanks. I'm attempting this job myself and filming my progress. I mentioned your channel in my video.

[@Sam_Mebane]

I’ll take a look when I’m back in town. I’m out hanging with the snowbirds, vagabonds and van life folks in Quartzsite til Tuesday.

[@Endfloat]

@@Sam_Mebane the video isn't live yet. I'm not finished the job yet. Enjoy your break!

[@mfeijo]

It looks awesome! Thanks! And what a tip on the snap trim!

[@AndyLPK247]

This video is super helpful. Thanks so much!

[@FernandoelChachi]

Wonderful job.

[@FixinBugsNStuff]

Great work. You made that look easy.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thanks! Headliners aren't TOO bad, especially cloth ones. Vinyl headliners take a little bit more work, a heat gun is pretty much a necessity when doing them.

[@nathanhueser5774]

Excellent video!!

[@Sam_Mebane]

Glad you like it!

[@joserafaelguzmanramos6215]

Saludos desde Maracay, Venezuela, fantástico trabajo en ese escarabajo bonita la combinación de colores, muy bien explicado como hacerlo, voy a restaurar una brasilia pero con este video ya tengo idea como hacerlo, gracias por compartir sus conocimientos

[@Sam_Mebane]

¡Me complace ayudar, buena suerte en su restauración!

[@lehuadefiesta7986]

do you have a video on rear carpet installation? want to see how you connected at the rear window.

[@Sam_Mebane]

It starts here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKLCiKyPr7ekhpo and gets finished here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWjdoY2mqbJkY7s

[@sevenoaksbrewing]

The problem with DIY on this job is that most likely it will be your first attempt and you'll have to live with it, however it turns out. I would gladly save up my money and pay a professional for this one. You did a great job, though, Sam!

[@Sam_Mebane]

You've got to start somewhere, I wasn't born knowing how to restore VWs or install headliners! The money saved by doing it yourself would usually MORE than pay for another if you don't like the way it turned out the first time, you can buy another and you'll have even more experience once it is installed.

[@stevebennett6593]

Great vid, thanks.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Absolutely, it was and is my pleasure!

[@stevebennett6593]

@@Sam_Mebane interested to know about whether the padding behind the vinyl (Say on the door pillar) is always used? My headliner kit didn't come with instructions and certainly didn't include any . I am a novice in car restoration :)

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@stevebennett6593 sorry for the delayed response. The padding is just 3/8" foam, nothing fancy.

[@my95buick]

I have to do this in a beetle with a full cage...

[@Sam_Mebane]

Never a fun job, I've seen people pull the body off to make it easier....if that could be considered easier!

[@sinteckwah9123]

Nice👏👏👏

[@GT.Bugger]

This video is great, I'm watching it over and over to build up the confidence to do it myself. Anyone know the exact same headlining they use here as I want the same!

[@Sam_Mebane]

It is a conversion style headliner from TMI as linked in the SHOW MORE above.

[@Sam_Mebane]

www.jbugs.com/search.html?q=20-1103

[@GT.Bugger]

@@Sam_Mebane but which material? Tweed? Valour and what colour? Issue is they won't ship outside of the US and I'd really like the same in my car.

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@GT.Bugger It's TMI's Uni-suede. You may try ordering it from them directly.

[@GT.Bugger]

@@Sam_Mebane what a legend, thank you. How do you know? Have you got the same?

[@daisyduck8758]

Does anyone know where I can get the snap on trim stuff that he used to hold the fabric to the windows while it cured?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Right here - www.jbugs.com/product/113-131B-BK.html or most any local auto fabric & trim store. It is just "snap on" trim.

[@daisyduck8758]

@@Sam_Mebane thank you so much!

[@chrisdavis21915]

great diy i have a 74 with a moon roof is it basically the same as this 71

[@Sam_Mebane]

If you're using a conversion style headliner, the installation is more or less the same, yes. The sunroof housing requires the use of headliner bow springs to hold the bows in place over the housing as the bows can tuck into the upper channel. The springs hook into the channel and drop down to give the bows a place to sit in. Otherwise, the install up to the point of cutting in the sunroof opening is the same. Once the headliner is completely installed, then the opening in the roof can be cut and glued into the roof. Then the sunroof cables and sliding roof panel can be installed. Finally the bottom "skeleton" panel can be covered and snapped into place on the bottom of the sliding sunroof.

[@mattlee007]

Great video i liked and subscribed after this ... thank you ... where do you buy the headliners and foam like this... I'm from New Zealand and have a 1966 beetle.. cheers for your response in advance

[@Sam_Mebane]

Click the "SHOW MORE" above for all the parts we used in the video. Keep in mind we don't ship internationally so you'll need someone in the States to purchase and forward for you.

[@joeradenmacanddevin6149]

excellent video, how much vinyl do I use to do the same job?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Our headliners are pre-made, not bulk material. We don't manufacture them in house but if we we're to guess on material yardage needed, it would probably be 3 to 4 yards.

[@yrm9538]

Do you have a link to this specific headliner kit ? Can’t seem to find it

[@lehuadefiesta5953]

Can I pull the headliner into my front windshield, as you shown in this video, on my 67 bug?

[@Sam_Mebane]

If you get a conversion style 1968 and later headliner (like we install in this video), then yes. A 1967 headliner is designed to tuck in above the windshield so it wouldn't be able to be installed through the opening.

[@Its_about_that_time]

Howany snap on trim do I need to buy for the whole car when doing the headliner

[@Sam_Mebane]

Snap on trim isn't needed to install the headliner, but it does make it a little easier. 10 feet or so usually does the trick.

[@DonnaSparks-dm1kt]

Do your headliner kits come with the snap on trim or is it purchased seperately?

[@Sam_Mebane]

No, the snap on trim is a "tool" for lack of a better term, to help while installing the headliner.

[@99tmsmith]

Do you guy have a video of a headliner install with a factory sunroof?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Not as of yet, no. The installation is pretty much the same, except once it's all done, you cut a big hole in it! Then that gets glued to the inside of the sunroof opening and another piece of material gets glued and wrapped around the sunroof "skeleton" panel.

[@lehuadefiesta7986]

I purchased the crush grain vinyl easy install headliner, '68 for my '67 bug. (Because I want to pull the headliner into my windshield).Do I need to use the quart can headliner glue? and if so, use the glue in the same areas as you did the cloth headliner? DO NOT USE "spray glue"? or, is there a spray glue that I could use for the vinyl headliner?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Search for Landau Top Glue, there are some sprayable options available.

[@lehuadefiesta7986]

@@Sam_Mebane thank you!

[@rochellepuente3181]

What price range does this usually cost to take it to a shop and do this?

[@Sam_Mebane]

We have heard of shops charging over $1k, the guy in our headliner installation video was charging $300 if memory serves when he retired about 15 years ago. It really depends on the experience of the shop. Typically, the more experienced shops don't need to charge as much since they know what they are doing.

[@GT.Bugger]

What adhesive are you using/ do you recommend? And roughly how much snap on trim did you need to do this job. Tia...I've got my new headliner ordered and want to get everything I need to complete the job for its arrival. Also, what foam kit did you use.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Since I installed a cloth headliner, I just used general trim spray adhesive which is fine for sticking cloth to metal. If you are installing a vinyl headliner make sure to use a glue that is made for sticking vinyl to metal. The snap on trim can be used in segments so as little as probably 6 to 8 feet would work but double that would make it easier most likely. I used our headliner pad kit which we've since put on a terminal back order as we try and locate a new foam supplier. For the roof we use a 1/4" jute padding and we use 3/8" foam padding everywhere else.

[@GT.Bugger]

@Sam_Mebane thank you for the reply. I've recently order the exact same headliner in this video from tmi.

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@GT.Bugger awesome, that should look good with your (Guards?) Red paint.

[@GT.Bugger]

@Sam_Mebane it's listed as Tomato Red, and I think so, too.

[@GT.Bugger]

​@Sam_Mebane having a bad time with this. You make it look easy. I put the b pillar pieces in place and now my doors won't shut!

[@esequielking2054]

What color is this?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Whiskey

[@yrm9538]

@@Sam_Mebane is this color still available?

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@yrm9538 it is still listed on TMI's website, so I would guess yes. Whiskey Saddle UniSuede #7078

[@yrm9538]

Do you have a link to this specific headliner kit ? Can’t seem to find it

[@Sam_Mebane]

You will have to contact TMI directly for the Whiskey Uni-Suede headliner.