SWB Headliners

[merbesfield]

I posted the question over on the LWB headliner thread asking who sells the best SWB headliner. It was answered that they are sold be several vendors and we were told they are good copies. That being said, I requested samples from Sierra Madre Collection and GAHH Automotive. I guess I should also ask for samples from Stoddard. Not knowing what the correct SWB headliner should look like I have no idea what is correct and good. Clearly from the pictures I am posting, none of the samples I receive are consistent with one another. They in fact vary quite a bit. Can those who are in the know please help those of us that do not know. What is correct and which one to buy? I photographed the samples in an outdoor natural lighting environment.

First up, Sierra Madre Collection. Comments: forget the colors for a second, but they are all thee different in their own way. Small holes, larger holes, different spacing, different texture, and then there is the colors. Only interested in Ivory or similar, but I posted black in case someone was interested. The Ivory has really tiny holes. Maybe it is correct, again, I don't know what I am looking for.



Next up, GAHH Automotive. Comments: These two have similar hole spacing, but the ivory is tiny holes vs. the Gray has much larger hole punches. The grain on the Gray is much more pronounced than the Ivory. I know I have read that there may have been two colors offered by Porsche, Ivory and Grey. To my untrained eye, the Ivory sold by GAHH looks like it might be the nicest of the lot, but again, I have nothing to go on.







I also stretched all the materials and they all stretch more one way vs. the other. I think this is called bias or something, but really don't care to learn too much about this if you get my drift. When stretching though, the holes do open up more, but I am not sure how much the material will be stretched and or in which direction.

Last pic is the SMC samples inside.

[merbesfield]

Here are a couple of pics comparing the sample from Sierra Madre Collection to that of GAHH Automotive. Clearly they are miles apart from one another. The small sample on top is Ivory from SMC and the background piece is from GAHH Automotive.

[Nordschleife]

That's a pretty noticeable difference!

Were your samples from Sierra Madre of the"domestic" vinyl, or instead of "German" vinyl? It costs $35 extra for the German vinyl material and I just wondered if there was an appreciable difference.

I thought Grey was the only original color for SWB cars according to Dr. Johnson's book?

[bfunke]

Dan Hansen from Denmark just replaced his headliner and posted photos on the 912BBS. His headliner looks beautiful. You should talk to Dan.

Bryan

[Fishcop]

Wasn't '68 a one year specific headliner? I think it had electronic/heated welts... Might have only been the L and S?

[merbesfield]

Some 68's had a heavily grained material that has been called Elephant hide like the door panels and dash. My 68 912 did not have it but my buddies 68 911 L did have it. I am more interested in the standard headliners, not The E hide. Don't want to side track this thread with that subject.

[Schiefer]

Dan Hansen from Denmark just replaced his headliner and posted photos on the 912BBS. His headliner looks beautiful.

Hi Bryan,
I have been in contact with Dan. He got his headliner from Marek. He gets them from a guy in Germany, not Porsche. I´m aware the pic is not good enough, but working on it. At least interesting to know there are more suppliers out there. (Please chime in Marek if you read this)

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone got any experience of cleaning their old headliner whist in-situ? If so, care to share the technique, materials, and outcomes? I had been thinking to replace (if I could find a NOS liner) but after reading this thread I'm leaning more to cleaning what is there...

I have sent a request about this to a detailer-guru. Will get back to you if he has any advice.

[merbesfield]

To clean a headliner I would first start with a light brush, like a nail brush, and some viniger and water. If this did not help, I would move to a very mild soap and water. You might also try a steam cleaner if you have access to one. I have a professional steam cleaner and it does amazing work cleaning stuff. If your headliner is stained yellow though like mine I don't think you will have much luck. Plus it is likely very old and brittle. If it is supple but dis colored, it would consider a vinyl spray done properly if the color is available. I would bet once sprayed you would never know. It would requir a huge amount of prep though before spraying to get it right. Good luck. No I am not a Detailer, just a very anal cleaner