DIY: Hard Top Liner

[Demon I Am]

I am attempting to build a hard top (hardtop?) headliner out of a sheet of Reflectix, and lining it with vinyl, or headliner fabric.

I'll start off by making a template out poster board on the inner roof of the car, following the grooves already in the roof.

I'll transfer over the template and cut out the Reflectix to fit. I will have to check the clearances, and probably trim the Reflectix where the roll bar is very close to the top.

Those are the easy parts. These will be the more difficult parts:

Attachment: I will need a High temperature glue, which can hold the (light) weight of the liner, plus its covering. The key is obviously high
temperature. I do not see a way too make this an easily removable piece. Unless there is a high-temp double-sided
tape.
Can/should I use the removable trim plugs in the HT as additional attachment points?

Covering: Should I use something between the Reflectix, and the covering material? I was thinking of something like a thin piece of plexi, to
make the material lie smoothly, and not look winkled. If I use vinyl, with a thin layer of batting, it might be forgiving enough
to hide the wrinkles in the Reflectix. I'm wondering if adding anything other than the cover will b a recipe for disaster.

Any ideas or help that you guys can provide would be awesome.

[kung fu jesus]

what's the texture of the Reflectix look like?

[jux]

Looking forward to seeing your progress on this. Wish I had some suggestions for ya'.

[Agent☣Orange]

Why did you choose Reflectix to begin with?

[Demon I Am]

Reflectix: lightweight, less than 1/4 inch, bubble type insulation. I've used it before, and it's a great insulation for it's thickness. It looks like metallic bubble wrap. it's a bit crinkly, so I don't think a regular fabric would look well, without some type of batting/foam underneath it. I paid $40 for a 4' * 25' roll, so I could even cut a windshield blocker, or use it under the carpet.


http://www.tankgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/reflectix.jpg

I basically want something like the Nakame piece, but with the added bonus of insulation.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5329177832_bb4f851fe3_z.jpg

[Agent☣Orange]

That's kinda what I was getting at. Insulation from what, heat or sound?

[Demon I Am]

heat. I don't have the cash to get it painted white, and the damn (currently black) thing cooks my head.

This is what I do not want to end up with.

http://s95367906.onlinehome.us/craigslist/DSC_3782.jpg

[Agent☣Orange]

Wow, that's pretty bad!

[jnshk]

From the sounds of it, you want a fairly thick/rigid fabric which will keep its own contour for the most part rather than conforming to the reflectix.

[mini_fd]

What you Do is what Im going to follow in suit. I want the look as well.

[tsingson]

Let me know if you may need some help with this. I used to install car stereos and make speaker boxes so I'm pretty good with covering with fabric.

[Grimm9448]

If you're not worried about removing it you might try some liquid nail to glue it up. For the covering it might be worth a shot to try to find some door card material to upholster. It should keep it pretty light that way, I just don't know how hard it would be to shape it to the contour of the roof?

[jnshk]

If you get it warm and moist/wet (steam jets on a iron, maybe?) without getting it soaking wet (which will cause it to ripple when it dries), the cardboard-like material should become somewhat moldable, then let it dry and upholster it with batting and fabric?

[Grimm9448]

Sounds good to me :mrgreen:

[tsingson]

Did you ever get this done Tony?

[Demon I Am]

nope, been busy on getting this motor ready, and other hobbies.

[tsingson]

Oh ok. Let me know if you need some help with it sometime.