Anybody replaced theirs recently? I just got a quote of $3200 - I asked if maybe he accidentally shifted the decimal a place. A new one from Selkirk or Airtex is only $300-400, how much labor is really involved, is it really that big a job?

Vick,
I replaced mine many years ago in my 172 and I didn't think it was very difficult. I sure don't think $2500+ in labor is required but then a 180 headliner may require much more work than my plane. Granted, I didn't do a professional job and have a slight wrinkle in one spot but I attribute that to the temperature when I was installing it (it was vinyl). I installed it during the winter at Hagerstown, MD. I should have used a hairdryer or something to warm up the material before installing. I remember the material was pretty stiff and not to resilient at the time. If I were you I would pull out the old one and try to do it yourself.
Good Luck,
Keith

Mornin Vick
Had a local upholsterer/cap pilot here do my dad's. He did it from scratch with nice material. I think is was $400. Does a real nice job.
I know it's aways for ya to go unless ya wanna come over anyways and do some flyin. I can give ya a place to stay if ya want while he does it.
Gary

I've replaced them in a C-150 and C-172, both jobs only took a couple of hours max for 2 people. I think you need to find a more realistic shop.

here's a shot of my dad's, There are 2 dif. pics. here, can't get the second to open. But it is a better pic. If you click the link, it will open.




http://www.backcountrypilot.org/gallery ... cs_020.JPG

Well, I guess I'm less mechanically inclined than some of the others here. I've done the headliner in a 170 and a 180 and both were somewhat of a pain in the butt.

Not THAT difficult, mind you, but it's more than a couple hour job in my opinion. That said, the quote you were given sounds pretty high.

As to using a local person to MAKE the headliner and install, be CERTAIN that they use FAA approved, fire rated materials. Otherwise, your new headliner isn't legal.

Airtex lists headliners for this model at $395. I think that's for a vinyl headliner. Last one I got was a wool one from them, and excellent quality.

MTV

Wouldn't it be nice if somebody made the hard plastic headliners for the 180/185's like they have for the newer Cessna models?

Cessna has a lousy way of attaching the headliner, so before you install one, make sure you won't need to get up there to do any work like install/remove antennas, speakers, wiring, insulation, etc.
You will likely tear it up removing it.

I changed mine in my 172, came out quite well. Check with Aircraft Spruce,they had one for mine for $115.00 and it fit well, also buy the correct contact adheasive from them. Read every thing thast you can on the internet on replacing an aircraft headliner first.

Thanks all, great feedback. The quote I got seemed outlandish but you never know. What you guys are saying is more in line with what I expected. I've heard good things about the Airtex wool version, probably go that route.

Also, you might have a mechanic look at everything up behind that headliner while you have it off. And, if you need new antennas, etc, that are cabin top mounted, now's the time to change them.

MTV

I have found that the Airtex wool headliners fit the best. Last one I did on a 170B took me a day and cost about $450 - $500 for my labor to put in. Nice thing about the wool is it will shrink up a little with steaming getting rid of any small wrinkles that may set in during installation.

Brian.

As Brian states about the wool....it'll shrink a little so the wrinkles will come out. I would go with the wool again if I ever redo mine. It is very hard to get all the wrinkles out of the vinyl type.

mtv wrote:Also, you might have a mechanic look at everything up behind that headliner while you have it off. And, if you need new antennas, etc, that are cabin top mounted, now's the time to change them.

No worries there - thanks to an inadvertant encounter with an ill-placed light pole the good folks at Beegles are pulling everything off as part of the repair. I thought it would be a good idea to put in a new headliner when everything goes back together but evidently that's not their strength so they sub it out.

Brian - Steve's Aircraft wrote:I have found that the Airtex wool headliners fit the best. Last one I did on a 170B took me a day and cost about $450 - $500 for my labor to put in.

Now that sounds more like it. I've always wanted to check out your shop, this could make for a nice little cross country.

If you decide to do that give me a call first to scedule it...... Would need at least 2-3 weeks heads up...

Brian.

Vick wrote:

Brian - Steve's Aircraft wrote:I have found that the Airtex wool headliners fit the best. Last one I did on a 170B took me a day and cost about $450 - $500 for my labor to put in.

Now that sounds more like it. I've always wanted to check out your shop, this could make for a nice little cross country.

Vick See if you can negotiate a group price

Wool is easier to install but gets dirty and is difficult to clean. And if you get any water leakage or condensation? Not pretty. My last one was wool. I didn't like it much. I have a brand new white vinyl headliner for a late model 180/185, still in the plastic wrapper from Aircraft Spruce's upholstery shop. I'll let it go cheap if anyone wants it.

Whatever you do, a major key in the success of your next installation is the care you take in the current headliner removal. A Cessna headliner is held in place with several wire hoops that are stressed between the sides of the airplane. Those hoops are "hung" under tension from little hooks that are riveted to the ribs in the cabin roof. The hoops are very important pieces, Treat them with respect and don't bend them. The hooks on the ribs are equally important and are old and fragile. You're going to break a couple. Minimize it. And if that's not enough, the fabric is tucked around the sides and front perimeters into little channels with tiny, fragile teeth that grab the headliner and maintain fabric tension. When you pull out the old headliner you'll break and bend some teeth. Again, minimize the damage. You're already going to spend enough time straightening out what teeth aren't broken off. And last, the tail of the new headliner will be glued to the bulkhead that defines the baggage area. Glued, tucked, and wrapped to look good. Not difficult but not something the average guy does every day. And once again, be patient when ripping out the old. You're going to have to clean up the mess so it doesn't show through your new headliner. Honestly? Most guys would be better off letting an upholstery guy with experience do the new installation. I'd expect the labor fee to be a couple of hundred bucks for about 2 hours work. Money well spent in my experience.