Classic/Antique Car Repair: Headliner on Classic Truck, 1964 ford f100, f250 4x4

Question
Hello,

I have a 1964 Ford F100 classic pickup, that I am working on.  I need to clean the headliner and need to know what to clean it with.  My headliner is made of rigid perforated cardboard (and not fabric)  It is just a little discolored from dirt over the years.  Can you please help me?  Thanks.

John

Answer
I happen to own an almost identical truck (a 64 F250 4X4) with the same headliner.   The problem with these healiners is that they are very brittle, the material has dried out so much that you really cannot do much with them without cracking them.  The only thing I would try is to find a drafting supply place (for people who make engineering drawings) and get a K&E #3037 "Draftsman's Dry Cleaning Pad".  This is a very soft spongy sock type thing with powdered soft eraser type filler - it slowly releases the "soap eraser" type granules as you rub it on a surface - which takes off all the loose dirt and dust, but it is very gentle on the surface.   Don't press hard!

If you cannot get it clean enough with that, you can order new headliners from Golden State Pickup parts - but the orignal is much nicer if you can save it.

Good luck with your truck - they're great trucks!

Dick