Cockpit Headliner:fix or replace

[Bob Leve]

In the process of improving flap performance I have to tighten the control cables and all the zippers in my liner are stuck. I will likely have to take them out to get at the cables. I could get a new liner from Maule, but I don't know how much it will cost to install it. Does anyone know approx. cost of installing a new headliner. Are there any other solutions from people who have had that problem. I assume that installing new zippers in the existing liner would be very difficult. Any advice???>

[maules.com]

If you don't want the time consuming job of headliner replacement, if you can get the zippers open by using LPS1 or such, but not re-closed, you can do a pretty tidy job of laceing them together. Fairly airtight is what you're aiming for. The zippers should be kept lubed at the last annuals so they do'nt seize up. Gently wiggling the zipper as you try to move it sometimes works.

[210TC]

mine stuck. Don't use your fingers to try and unstick them, if the little tab is attached use pliars and wiggle and twist with lubricant. You will see the reason when you use the pliars.

[donknee]

I plan to cut my zippers out with scissors leaving the sewn margins intact. Then with contact cement, glue a new zipper in. Then hand sew the new zipper to the headliner and reinforcement from the old zipper. The glue allows you to neatly hold the new zipper in place for stitching. I have not yet done this...but it "seams" doable.

[Hottshot]

I plan to cut my zippers out with scissors leaving the sewn margins intact. Then with contact cement, glue a new zipper in. Then hand sew the new zipper to the headliner and reinforcement from the old zipper. The glue allows you to neatly hold the new zipper in place for stitching. I have not yet done this...but it "seams" doable.

I think that would be very doable with a "Handy stitcher"

[donknee]

Very cool Wup! That looks like it would make some fine stitchery. I'm just wondering if this is a service of ABW, a new product you are offerring, a marketplace item, or....? I'm hooked, now tell me more. If I fly in can we just stitch er up?

[a64pilot]

Back in my past we used wax to lubricate zippers, or soap seems to work well also.

[Hottshot]

Back in my past we used wax to lubricate zippers, or soap seems to work well also.

Use a Pencil.. quick and no mess.

[Hottshot]

Very cool Wup! That looks like it would make some fine stitchery. I'm just wondering if this is a service of ABW, a new product you are offerring, a marketplace item, or....? I'm hooked, now tell me more. If I fly in can we just stitch er up?

They work pretty well, I don't have one but I have used them in the past (Mom's) and you can find them on Ebay or other websites pretty reasonable. The nice thing is I don't think you will need to remove the liner to get the job done.

http://www.handystitchtv.com/?OVRAW=Han ... 4013023021

[Ian]

Aircraft Spruce offers a new wool liner in grey or beige for 275.00 as opposed to the 600.00 + Maule wants. I installed mine last March and aside from some minor mod for skylight it is great.