Vixen re-trim

[Moto]

I'm just about to start retrimming the Vixen (new carpet and head lining) ready for when the seats come back from the trimmers in 2/3 weeks time.

Any tips when replacing carpet & headlining would be appreciated from those who've been there before and if anyone could suggest the metreage required that would be really helpful.

Moto

[Monkeythree]

For the headlining I bought about 50 bulldog clips from the stationary store and used them as extra pairs of hands. Once I'd got the whole thing in the right position, I did a first trim to make it more manageable then worked in sections using high-tack contact adhesive to fix it in place. I seem to recall working from the centre out i.e. fixing above the doors first then working from the centreline forwards to above the windscreen and then from the centreline backwards. You get a feel for the right amount of "pull" to keep the whole thing nice and tight.

Hope that helps!

[Moto]

That sounds like a sensible approach - good idea to use bulldog clips.

I have a sunroof fitted which I'm expecting to add some complexity, so some extra bulldog clips should help with this also.

Moto

[tomtrout]

As you have a sunroof I guess you won't have any of the supporting wires? How is the roof lining fixed to these wires? The wires is all I have so i haven't got a clue how the lining is supposed stay up!

[thegamekeeper]

there are some sleeves sewn into the headlining that the wires pass through.

[Moto]

That's interesting as I have been wondering how it is held in situ. Until I've taken it down I won't know for sure but there are 2 x stitch lines from side to side, across the front and rear of the sunroof. These could house wires or it's possible that the sunroof edge trim holds the lining in place. All will become clear shortly.

Moto

[Adrian@]

4 of these...the block is glassed to the shell by the sunroof and another block is glassed above the door (missing from picture as it is still attached to the car)
and these run in loops behind the stitching.
Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Monday 25th October 18:11

[lazysprite]

Hi,
I'm nearly ready to do my headlining in my Vixen S3, but it's one of the few tasks I don't want to take on. I've no idea how to do the A posts or even how many pieces I need to make it out of. Presumably there is no soundproofing behind it?
Any recommendations for coachtrimmers in the Midlands area, who might be able to do it?
Unless of course someone tells me its easy to do without a pattern of the existing headlining or any previous experience!

[Moto]

I'm working on the basis that taking it out will define how it needs to go back in. Also what comes out will be the template for the replacement. Clearly if you don't have one to take out, it would be a different matter.

I can tell you that both front and rear glass will need to come out.

Moto

[Adrian@]

One of the biggest mistakes made whilst working on head linings is using pens when marking out the material from the pattern, that then when damp (as cars can be) leak through to the surface. Making sun visors is an art form in it's self.
Adrian@

[thegamekeeper]

In my box of tricks I have a brand new still in factory wrapping (bought in the 1970,s) Vixen/M series headlining. If anyone is interested I could get my trimmer to make copies. I dont want to sell original, one day I want to restore a Vixen for myself and will use it for that.It could be copied in any material and colour. Unfortunately my trimmer is 2 things 1 Slow. 2 Busy so if you want one soon it wont happen. Probably not worth making a one off so if a few prople want them let me know. Probably be after Xmas before he can make them. sTeVeR

Edited by thegamekeeper on Wednesday 27th October 11:07

[Moto]

Hi Steve,

It's a good idea if you can get a few people together. I've already got my headlining material so I'll give it a go first and see how I get on. Nice to haver a fallback though if anything goes pear shaped.

Steve