Front cap to 1st headliner section attachment

B

bright walter

New member
Apr 1, 1999
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Started my y2k GMC interior renovations and already ran into a problem with
the headliner to front cap attachment. Mine is riveted which I assume is
oem. Since the front cap is so darn expensive, I am proceeding very
cautiously. To prevent damage, how do you go about removing these things?
I have little experience with rivets in general and was not expecting this
when I took the trim piece off. Also, what have others used to re-attach the
front panel to the cap when reinstalling this piece? Any pointers would be
greatly appreciated.

While I have the cabinets down I also am thinking of replacing the window
shades. Several peoples' GMCs I've been in have had contoured tracks (that
hug the wall curve) or side pieces of vinyl/plastic that completely sealed
the window area from prying eyes when the shades or blinds were closed.
Anyone have a sources for these?

Again any advice would be greatly appreciated. walter bright, 76GB.
 
For someone capable with fiberglas, the remanufacture of a cockpit headliner out
of fiberglass with optional ceiling console, stereo speakers, a/c ducts or unit,
lights, t/v pod,etc, would be a big seller. Could probably be done for the same
or less than the original. You could use the original as a starting point and
go from there. If I had any capability beyond basic patching, I would give it a
try. Oh, that elusive time.....

Ron and Julie

> Started my y2k GMC interior renovations and already ran into a problem with
> the headliner to front cap attachment. Mine is riveted which I assume is
> oem. Since the front cap is so darn expensive, I am proceeding very
> cautiously. To prevent damage, how do you go about removing these things?
> I have little experience with rivets in general and was not expecting this
> when I took the trim piece off. Also, what have others used to re-attach the
> front panel to the cap when reinstalling this piece? Any pointers would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> While I have the cabinets down I also am thinking of replacing the window
> shades. Several peoples' GMCs I've been in have had contoured tracks (that
> hug the wall curve) or side pieces of vinyl/plastic that completely sealed
> the window area from prying eyes when the shades or blinds were closed.
> Anyone have a sources for these?
>
> Again any advice would be greatly appreciated. walter bright, 76GB.
 
Walter,
All you have to do is drill out the rivets, use a drill just slightly
larger than the center of the rivet. The side valences are usually made
out of evestroff or wood. I use a white vinyl style and made my own.
Once you get the curvature on a templet you can mass product them. I
covered them with a material or you can make them out of wood also. As
for the front cap I covered mine with headliner material. Came out
looking great. I guess it really depends on how much you can do yourself.

>
> Started my y2k GMC interior renovations and already ran into a problem with
> the headliner to front cap attachment. Mine is riveted which I assume is
> oem. Since the front cap is so darn expensive, I am proceeding very
> cautiously. To prevent damage, how do you go about removing these things?
> I have little experience with rivets in general and was not expecting this
> when I took the trim piece off. Also, what have others used to re-attach the
> front panel to the cap when reinstalling this piece? Any pointers would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> While I have the cabinets down I also am thinking of replacing the window
> shades. Several peoples' GMCs I've been in have had contoured tracks (that
> hug the wall curve) or side pieces of vinyl/plastic that completely sealed
> the window area from prying eyes when the shades or blinds were closed.
> Anyone have a sources for these?
>
> Again any advice would be greatly appreciated. walter bright, 76GB.

- --
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLakers
77 Eleganza II
Michigan
 
> While I have the cabinets down I also am thinking of replacing the window
> shades. Several peoples' GMCs I've been in have had contoured tracks (that
> hug the wall curve) or side pieces of vinyl/plastic that completely sealed
> the window area from prying eyes when the shades or blinds were closed.
> Anyone have a sources for these?
>

For the shades you can go with day/night shades from Guske. I got my shades
from them and they work very well. For the valences, I made mine from wood
covered with upholstery fabric. It was very time consuming because each of the
curves of the side walls have to be traced. Each curve is different so one
template doesn't exactly work with the others. I found the job almost as
challenging as installing the new headliner I did last year. One of the
challenging parts was making a valance that would fit around the bunk hanger
assembly.

However, I'm pleased with the results. From the middle part of the wall up the
coach looks brand new. It's only when you see the green plaid seats and shag
carpeting that you realize the coach is 25 years old.

I only did the 3 windows in the main living area. I may not do valences for
the rear due to the complexity of that job. Also, I like the look in the rear
without valances. Now we have complete privacy in our GMC.

>
> Again any advice would be greatly appreciated. walter bright, 76GB.

Richard Waters
'76 PB, Troy, MI
 
you might want to read Arch's front cap repair.

http://www.california.com/~eagle/new.htm

gene

>Walter,
>All you have to do is drill out the rivets, use a drill just slightly
>larger than the center of the rivet. The side valences are usually made
>out of evestroff or wood. I use a white vinyl style and made my own.
>Once you get the curvature on a templet you can mass product them. I
>covered them with a material or you can make them out of wood also. As
>for the front cap I covered mine with headliner material. Came out
>looking great. I guess it really depends on how much you can do yourself.
>

>>
>> Started my y2k GMC interior renovations and already ran into a problem
with
>> the headliner to front cap attachment. Mine is riveted which I assume is
>> oem. Since the front cap is so darn expensive, I am proceeding very
>> cautiously. To prevent damage, how do you go about removing these things?
>> I have little experience with rivets in general and was not expecting this
>> when I took the trim piece off. Also, what have others used to re-attach
the
>> front panel to the cap when reinstalling this piece? Any pointers would be
>> greatly appreciated.
>>
>> While I have the cabinets down I also am thinking of replacing the window
>> shades. Several peoples' GMCs I've been in have had contoured tracks (that
>> hug the wall curve) or side pieces of vinyl/plastic that completely sealed
>> the window area from prying eyes when the shades or blinds were closed.
>> Anyone have a sources for these?
>>
>> Again any advice would be greatly appreciated. walter bright, 76GB.
>
>--
>J.R. Wright
>GMC GreatLakers
>77 Eleganza II
>Michigan
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
Hi Rich!,

Thanks for the reply and the pointers.

For the shades you can go with day/night shades from Guske. I got my shades
from them and they work very well. For the valences, I made mine from wood
covered with upholstery fabric.....

> From the middle part of the wall up the
>coach looks brand new. It's only when you see the green plaid seats and
shag
>carpeting that you realize the coach is 25 years old.

Boy thats the truth! I did the walls and carpet last year and afterward,
that plaid material looked even worse to me than it had before.


Thanks again, walter bright 76 GB>
 
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