Applicable for most 1949–1976 vehicles using traditional bow-style headliners.
Please read all instructions completely before beginning installation.
Factory Interiors bow-style headliners are engineered for OEM-style fitment and appearance. Proper installation requires patience, careful alignment, and gradual stretching during installation.
For best results:
Install in temperatures above 72°F.
Warm material is easier to stretch and contour.
Professional installation is recommended for show-quality restorations.
Bow headliners naturally tighten and improve in appearance over time as the material settles and shrinks into place.
The following tools may assist during installation:
Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
Trim removal tools
Putty knife or dull table knife
Spray adhesive or upholstery cement
Hog ring pliers (if applicable)
Heat gun or hair dryer
Chalk or masking tape for labeling bows
Spray bottle with warm water
Utility knife or scissors
Before removing the original headliner:
Label each bow in order from front to rear.
Bow lengths and curvature may vary.
Installing bows out of order can cause poor fitment and wrinkles.
Vinyl and cloth headliners become more flexible when warm.
Recommended methods:
Allow the headliner to sit in direct sunlight.
Use a hair dryer or low-heat heat gun carefully.
Do not overheat or scorch the material.
Small wrinkles immediately after installation are normal.
Over time:
The material will relax and tighten.
Warm temperatures help smooth the surface.
Lightly misting cloth headliners with warm water may help accelerate wrinkle removal.
Leatherette or vinyl headliners may benefit from mild heat application.
Remove the following items from the vehicle:
Dome light
Sun visors
Windshield garnish moldings
Rear window garnish moldings
Quarter window trim
Some Ford vehicles require removal of the rear window for proper installation.
Use caution when removing moldings and glass. If you are uncomfortable performing glass removal, professional assistance from an automotive glass installer is recommended.
Remove rear seats.
Remove package tray cardboard panels.
Remove side panels if replacing windlace.
This provides access to headliner edges and retaining strips.
The factory headliner is typically:
Cemented or tacked at the front and rear.
Secured along the sides by metal retaining strips with teeth.
To remove:
Carefully pull the headliner free from the front and rear.
Pull the material loose from the retaining strips above the doors.
Expose the headliner bows.
Working from front to rear, remove screws securing the bows to the roof structure.
Remove the headliner assembly from the vehicle.
Remove the retaining strip screws above the doors.
If replacing windlace:
Remove the old windlace.
Remove original tacks or fasteners.
Install new windlace securely.
Before reinstalling retainer strips:
Clean debris from behind the strips.
Straighten bent retaining teeth.
Reinstall strips securely.
Remove the bows from the original headliner and install them into the corresponding sleeves on the new headliner.
Important:
Keep bows in original order.
Approximately 1 inch of bow should extend beyond each side of the sleeve.
If necessary, trim the sleeve evenly to expose the correct amount of bow.
Incorrect bow placement is one of the most common causes of poor headliner fitment.
Working from rear to front:
Position the new headliner inside the vehicle.
Install each bow into its factory mounting position.
Secure bows using original or replacement hardware.
Do not fully tension the headliner at this stage.
Locate the factory center marks or chalk alignment marks on the headliner.
Attach the center-front section first.
Attach the center-rear section second.
Use:
Upholstery cement
Contact adhesive
Factory tack strips
depending on original vehicle construction.
Centering the headliner properly at this stage is critical for overall alignment.
Trim excess material above the doors, leaving approximately 2 inches of extra material.
Using a dull putty knife or table knife:
Carefully tuck the material into the retaining strips.
Start at the center of each side.
Work gradually outward.
Avoid forcing too much material into one area at once.
Working evenly from the center toward the corners:
Continue tucking material into the retaining strips.
Stretch material gradually and evenly.
Secure front and rear edges with adhesive or tacks.
Take your time during this step.
Uneven tension is the most common cause of wrinkles and misalignment.
Once the headliner is fully secured:
Carefully cut openings for rear window and trim areas.
Cement or tack material around the window openings.
Trim excess material.
Reinstall:
Dome light
Sun visors
Garnish moldings
Rear seats
Interior trim panels
Installation is now complete.
Minor wrinkles are normal immediately after installation.
For cloth headliners:
Lightly mist warm water onto wrinkle areas.
Allow the material to dry naturally.
For vinyl or leatherette headliners:
Apply gentle heat using a hair dryer or heat gun.
Warm temperatures help the material tighten naturally.
Headliners generally improve in appearance after several days in warm conditions.
Bow-style headliners require patience and gradual adjustment.
Never aggressively overstretch the material.
Allow the headliner to settle naturally before attempting major adjustments.
Professional upholstery installers may be recommended for complex restorations or rare vehicles.
For questions regarding fitment, materials, or installation assistance, contact Factory Interiors customer support at 1-888-269-6287 (MATS).