The CORRECT Way to Install Bow Style Headliners in ANY Old Car or Truck! - BEST Tutorial On Youtube!

Hey everyone and welcome back to Iowa Classic Cars! This video will show you an in-depth tutorial of how to install bow style headliners, which were the most common type of headliner offered in pre 1970s cars and trucks. There are many videos out there showing how to install these, but none that are very good. With this tutorial, anyone will be able to install a bow-style headliner into their vintage car or truck. Make sure to subscribe for more videos like this, and also check out my friend Sam's channel where he features a lot more upholstery videos and builds!
Sams channel - / @samsupholstery8499
Need some Iowa Classic Cars Apparel? Check out my business merch site! Midwest Patina LLC! - teespring.com/shop/Midwest-Pa...
Check out these other awesome car channels!
@mortske repair
@Old Car Alley
@Puddin's Fab Shop
**Products I use!
Ratchet Straps - amzn.to/3tNc5fh
Axle Straps - amzn.to/2N6aZdt
Badland 12k lbs Winch - amzn.to/39Zgpjo
Badlands Wireless Remote - amzn.to/2MNIBNl
**As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

[@howardkoster4026]

WOW! I miss the interiors of the classic cars! BRIGHT! CHEERFUL!! Glamorous!! Choices of colors!! STYLING !!!! LOOKS GREAT !!!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks howard

[@howardkoster4026]

@@IowaClassicCars NOoooooo! It is I that thanks you!!!! I miss these cars and your '59 is looking T- riffic!!!!! I still remember a childhood neighbor buying a new '59 Chevy and hearing some of the, not so nice comments about the styling being over the top. To this day, I still love the '59 Chevy styling.....Sleek styling...Streamlined styling! In two years, the Plymouth Fury was REALLY criticized for its, looks!!!

[@icerazar713]

Oh wow! Home run on this interior. Looks like it rolled off the showroom floor. That red is classic and timeless. So cool 😎👍

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks rob

[@edwardalamo2507]

Not easy if you have not done it a few times

[@jeffreylines1535]

It will be a few years before I get to working on the interior of my El Camino but I was already thinking about the headliner. Looks awesome, thanks for posting!

[@snickerdoodleduke]

Can you tell us what contact adhesive he used? That seemed like it had incredibly strong bond but still allowed you to adjust.

[@BasinMotorsports]

Thanks for doing the video. I am helping on a late 60s Nova, and this gave me some ideas on how to make the installation go faster with a better result. It's hard to believe how different all the model years are between the finer details (how they attach, the rods ends, clips or metal notches, etc.).

[@ronbunker5778]

Nice job Sam!! Beautiful car!

[@cynthiarabe5924]

He does a great job! Car looks fabulous❤️

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thank you!

[@bobgrewe988]

Ryan, that car is the balls. Outstanding, it looks beautiful.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks man 👌

[@mitchevans1692]

Great, now I know how to do it...send it to Sam!!!

[@mrchops4099]

I’ve never seen them marked i have with plenty Convertable tops. I use the same headliner Adhesive as the modern headliner bords. I do exact same thing. Cool i use cardboard for over spray and everything. Tedious work. That one’s not so bad in the back not like the ones with sail panels getting the wrinkles out!! LOL. People out there will leave the back corner areas wrinkled though. I’ve been waiting over 4-months for Sunvisors to finish up a 1971 Monte Carlo super sport. Looks awesome love the video.

[@davids6533]

I like everything about that car. I may have toned down the red into more of a burgundy if it was mine, but it's super nice as it is. You have put a lot of work and effort into it and it definitely shows. You're lucky to have found such a nice car. Maybe I'll find something similar that I can afford some day.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Awesome thanks for watching!

[@johnroof2663]

The interior of that 59 impala is spectacular young man does a fine job. I haven't found a good interior man in the area I live in.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thank you

[@nickkahutton2701]

A fantastic video, thank you so much! Instructions were clear and easy to follow. I’m tackling this project today, and was terrified of messing it up (side note: it isn’t my car). You’ve made me feel like I can actually do this! Maybe not as well as you, but it WILL get done! Thank you for the boost in confidence and the great instructions. I needed this video soooo much!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Good luck!

[@edwardalamo2507]

Have seen many bad amateur jobs, it's worth paying someone with experience

[@robddickinson4217]

Excellent vid, many thanks for posting.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks for the comment!

[@robertgeary7520]

Great work

[@209Stretch]

I just spent way more time than I should have in the garage only hanging mine in place on my 63 impala. One of the rear bows refused to stay upright nice & tight. Finally after a while I pulled it out of the sleeve & bent it in the center then on each side till it fit good & tight in the upward position.

[@IronHorseGarage]

Awesomeness!!! Great work!!!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks man

[@edwardalamo2507]

Most places recommend insulation, it really makes a difference in hot weather

[@vet-7174]

Big difference!!

[@recklesscru81]

Great video! Clean work

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Great video Ryan. She looks incredible baby!! Big Al

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks al!

[@patrickharrand]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.👍👍

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thx for watching

[@lars277]

That Sam does great work. Not many people can do that work very well.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Amen to that

[@roycemontgomery978]

clean the rust off the bows

[@user-ty8jq5ob1b]

Great video

[@dombutler7685]

Sam's a pro and great tips, I have done loads of headliners and he makes it look so easy! Hey Ryan, very nice impala, so she's a trailer queen now?!!! (that's your trailer at the end?!!)

[@IowaClassicCars]

Lol no trailer queen. It was raining very heavy that morning...and i have no functional wipers, so had to trailer it

[@836dmar]

Learned a lot. Thanks!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Glad it helped!

[@johna1160]

Excellent tutorial, Sam knows his stuff. Way easier than my '63 Falcon. It doesn't have the perimeter trim to hide fasteners, or the cardboard strip that hooks on in rear. As far as I know, to do decent job on Falcon (all Fords?) of that era, windshield and rear window need to be removed.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks john

[@stubby1122]

You are correct! I'm doing my 63 falcon right now.

[@BizOrNot]

Best how-to "old-school" OEM vinyl headliner install on KZbin! Appreciate all the "tricks of the trade." The adhesive before staples was a real "light-bulb moment." Nice work gents! I grew up in Des Moines, but live in Colorado now. As such, I am going to take a run at installing a new headliner in my "survivor" '62 Pontiac Grand Prix (also red interior). Wish me luck! BTW where do you suggest I get replacement tack strip? I have pulled the original dry-rotted tack strip and staples. I am planning to drill & screw or pop rivet the new tack strip in as the OEM metal staples are visible in the old (thread-rotted) headliner.

[@IowaClassicCars]

thanks man, id just do a google search for tack strip.....they make a ton of them in different lengths and widths

[@jraposo911]

Nice . I gotta do my cutlass

[@streetmachines9679]

Looks sweet

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks!

[@kennydemartini2169]

A very nicely done video, and installation. I've restored over 100 cars, but I've only done about a dozen headliners... I'm pretty sure I won't be doing anymore. I hate doing them. It's hot and frustrating for me. I'll gladly pay a professional.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks for watching

[@jasonswift2395]

Really good tutorial video. I often wondered how the headliner is replaced on a ' rescued ' car. I watch alot of videos on 'rescued' cars, but I don't see much on either restoring an item ( seat, headliners etc ), or being resprayed, so, this was very insightful.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@edwardalamo2507]

Labor is 250 350 plus material

[@bigsexymuthashutyomouth2546]

Man that car is Saaaaweeeeet!!!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks dave

[@chevystuffs5971]

Great video! Just curious, does the procedure change much with a cloth headliner? What about trying to repair and re-install a cloth headliner vs replacing it?

[@edwardalamo2507]

Recently had all new interior done on a 55 Bel-Air, total cost , five thousand, believe it.

[@guillermonieri4203]

Thank you.

[@IowaClassicCars]

No worries!

[@beeenn649]

I have always wondered how this was done and now I know. Thanks What would a job like this cost?

[@motorfreaknew]

Awesome! It's a job that sooner or later I'll have to do on my vw beetle but I'd better have it done by an expert upholsterer ... 😂👍

[@IowaClassicCars]

Haha maybe so

[@hunterluxton5976]

This is excellent. Could you show us how a vw 71 bus headliner is fitted?

[@IowaClassicCars]

If he does one, yea i can film it

[@melmcclure3710]

Nice car buddy.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thanks

[@Topper-gf8xl]

Nice job. Wondering if it would have been a good idea to treat the roof and put some sound deadening at the time?

[@IowaClassicCars]

Yes i should have, but didnt. Lesson learned for next time

[@study650]

I would just take mine to Sam and let him do it. LOL

[@IowaClassicCars]

Lol he would do it!

[@Supanova70]

wow what is the working time on the adhesive and where can i buy it for my gun?

[@edgarmorales1461]

Hey Ryan! Beautiful ride man! New to the channel and can’t wait to see the process of the 59. It doesn’t hurt to ask but would you ever be interested in selling the 59?!

[@IowaClassicCars]

sorry man this car is nfs

[@lovetofly32]

So I found this video because I am doing my airplane headliner that has bows too! I bought similar material that was in it but just a better color. I had it all sewn together using the old one as a pattern. It needed some corrections but overall it fit pretty good except when I pulled the edges to glue them I couldn't get it wrinkle free like I hoped. You glue the front and then it pulls tight at the rear and wires hold the back bow tight. I just want to know if steam would do any good with it glued in or would it make it worse/looser. I don't know what the material is made of it's got like a felt feel to the inside but just a blank back that shows the fabric weave. (Don't know how else to explain it.) I just want to know if there's any techniques to make it shrink up.

[@IowaClassicCars]

That im not sure of, sam is the pro, not me! Lol

[@rsonweb2060]

I wish I would have watched this a year ago when I started my 63 Biscayne disassembly. I didn't mark my bows. My tack strips need replacement. Should there be some kind of insulation? I'll be watching all your videos. Thanks.

[@IowaClassicCars]

you can put insulation up in the roof if you want to, i probably should have

[@thomasparker5208]

The headliner looks really amazing. I am assuming that is the original pattern and color? With the red interior?

[@IowaClassicCars]

Yes this is the correct color and pattern

[@kennydemartini2169]

All cars from that era had light colored or white headliners. It helped keep the heat out of the car. I had a '63 Impala SS with black interior, but a white headliner from the factory.

[@kellbellgray]

Am installing headliner in '60 Belair, 4DR and while the video had some great ideas (and more in the comments), my Belair headliner is totally different, particularly on the side mounts. There are no trim pieces to covers the sides - they somehow 'tuck' up inside, what I can only call 'flanges'. Going to be 'interesting'! If anyone has run across a video on how these headliners are installed, would definitely be appreciated!!

[@IowaClassicCars]

ill get a video of a sedan headliner made one of these days

[@kred3208]

I do like the 59 2 door and the 59 el Camino. Did they make a 59 2dr wagon?

[@IowaClassicCars]

Yes i have one

[@mrtopbubble]

Great video! What size staples do you use?

[@IowaClassicCars]

That i am not sure of sorry

[@2001rams]

Very informative. First let me say I truly know nothing about this process but I do have couple questions: The top bows seemed kind of rusty. With condensation over time could this ever come out as a stain on the new headliner or would that sleeve protect that from ever coming through? Also there were remnants of the old pad/insulation on the roof. Why would you not replace the old pad or add insulation (since it looked bare in many areas)? I guess if part of the old pad fell down I would not be heavy enough to show up in the new/tight headliner. Thanks, I always look forward to your videos. I am old enough to remember when the 58 - 61 Chevys were completely overlooked. What a mistake that turned out to be.

[@IowaClassicCars]

The old pad is just sound deadner. No need to remove or add more, just more work

[@scootersonlyrepair6773]

The whole state of Iowa is all about half assed work

[@dyingforpie6879]

So did you replace the tack strips? Im doing a 65 impala and the old tack strips are on the front and back- stapled in what kind of staplegun is used?

[@IowaClassicCars]

no we did not, and im not sure of the brand. just an air stapler of some kind

[@venturahwy76]

59 impala? Nice job!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Thank you

[@lenmack8273]

What kind of stapler you use?

[@dougaustintx]

Didn't see you bend the tabs to capture the center bow after the punch-through of the lasting strip.

[@paulwootton5378]

Hmmm...maybe clean the rust off the "bows" before you put then in or near your nice new clean headliner??

[@brandielee7971]

This will come in handy for my 73 Maverick

[@IowaClassicCars]

Good luck

[@bozodog428]

She's a fine '59!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Oh yeah!

[@codac9098]

Holy crap. Where is Sam located and how much does he charge!??

[@IowaClassicCars]

Winterset iowa, sams upholestery

[@ivonnecorrea3942]

Wondering about the staples ….staples go to what? Didn’t see wood panels so could you explain that part pls !!! Thank you

[@IowaClassicCars]

Staples go to the tac strip, its in the first step...pullin the old staples

[@edwardalamo2507]

Tack straps it's about 1/4 inch hard rubber like material

[@brentsosa4783]

What type of staple gun is that?

[@IowaClassicCars]

that i am not sure of, commercial grade i bet

[@thestonedhedge77]

Any idea, I would like to pick up a air gun for the job. Would like to buy that exact 1.

[@dreamingcode]

So theres a way to do this without taking the windsheild and back glass out?

[@IowaClassicCars]

Yep

[@dreamingcode]

@@IowaClassicCars awesome

[@normanott644]

Good job but why no roof insulation?

[@IowaClassicCars]

Honestly didnt want it. That was a bad call on my end lol

[@normanott644]

@@IowaClassicCars need one in my 62 fairlane. Will the glass need to be removed? Thanks.

[@MortskeRepair]

Is he your brother?!? Or does all of Iowa just wear khakis to work?

[@IowaClassicCars]

i can never catch a break with you! hahahah

[@MortskeRepair]

@@IowaClassicCars Corn and Khakis, that's all there is in Iowa!

[@scootersonlyrepair6773]

I can't believe you would install the new headliner with the metal looking like that even if a customer didn't want to clean it up I would refuse the job until the rust is removed and metal sealed. I would never put those rusty ads bows into the new material either. It would have taken 5 minutes to hit to hit those with sandpaper even if you didn't want to take time to prime and paint.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Cool lol

[@edwardalamo2507]

Absolutely correct, it's called rust bleed.

[@dirkshumbadrinkersb4908]

Please supply email address for the hoodliners

[@LeftForDeadGarage]

Fingers crossed that I can do my headliner and not wreck it.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Good luck!

[@roycemontgomery978]

should have patched in the missing roof insulation foram

[@jesseowens1492]

Can't imagine having the headliner out and leaving the factory cardboard insulation in....

[@IowaClassicCars]

Oh well i did, next one i wont tho

[@crbrepairmotorcycles6608]

I thought it was going to be red like the rest of the interior ??

[@IowaClassicCars]

A red heasliner was not offered in 59. This is the correct headlinder for my color combo

[@edwardalamo2507]

It was correct stock material.

[@clydedenby1436]

Why didn't you remove the rust?!

[@IowaClassicCars]

Because i didnt

[@anthonykinrade8642]

I think i would have cleaned the bows of rust!

[@edwardalamo2507]

Rust bleed will stain liner

[@anthonykinrade8642]

@@edwardalamo2507 Exactly my point.

[@racecar2933]

Let that car sit outside in the sun for a few days and it will look even better.

[@dennisadams2240]

Never a better time to clean and dynamite that roof. Also take a scotchbrite and wipe the rust of the bows, sorry I might be anal. This is a great install video nonetheless. I've done a few. I always do headliners first, not to get glue on stuff.

[@1hernandez78]

What's wrong with rusty old cars 🤔😁

[@MatthewBerginGarage]

I would have painted the bows. Job is not complete.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Yea it is

[@MatthewBerginGarage]

@@IowaClassicCars Also the rust on the underside of the roof.😞😞

[@stereolababy]

take a few mins and de rust those bows cmon

[@IowaClassicCars]

Its fine lol i wasnt too concerned

[@simonw2631]

Dude put rusty ass bows in a brand new headliner wtf.

[@IowaClassicCars]

Who cares lol makes no difference

[@ZombiesLive]

What a small world! This is waffle212121212 ( LivexGlitcher ) I came across your video while looking for 63 Chevy nova headliner install. 2 seconds into the video and I instantly knew who it was. The Glitching days man! 😢

[@IowaClassicCars]

Broooooooooooooo what is up man!

[@ZombiesLive]

@@IowaClassicCars We gotta catch up fam!! You got a discord?

[@IowaClassicCars]

@@ZombiesLive i dont but i still play xbox under my hawkeyes2020 gamertag during the winter months lol, been playing alot of OG mw2 lately. hop on, its fun as hell man!