Head liner thickness

[muddog16]

I'm getting ready to do the ceiling!  If you look at my bus at my site, you can see where I have a flat ceiling 2"x1" rectangular tube for the ceiling joists......there is a support every 22"!  Each panel will be approximately 44" wide (front to rear of the bus) X 91" long (side to side of the bus).  Just how thick should my plywood panels be, 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2"?   As always thanks!     PS, I'm using christmas tree fastners to attach the panels to the ceiling!



Pat

[robertglines1]

I used luan and my panels are 24  wide by 96 long  no sag for 5 yrs now  Then put quilt batting on and ultra leather as final surface. Used buttons every 1 ft to create tufted look. Bob

[Ace]

I used the christmas tree fasteners on mine and they were designed by length to be used with 1/2 plywood but I used 3/8 plywood for my sub ceiling and my finished panels.  It didn't matter on the sub ceiling how long they were since they just go upward into the insulation but on the finished panels they (the fasteners) would protrude into the vinyl that I used so I simply cut them down so they would fit flush with 3/8 plywood! You actually have to almost ruin the panel if you try and remove it. About 4-5 years now and never a sag or a dropped ceiling!

[rampeyboy]

Where do you go to buy enough to do an entire ceiling? I've only seen them in small packs of 4 or 5...


Boyce

[Ace]

Boyce I went to a local auto upholstery shop and looked thru their books which had pictures of all types of fasteners and showed them what I wanted. They ordered them in in bags of 25 but to be honest it doesn't take as many as you would think. For instance, on a panel approximately 24"x48" I only used 10 fasteners! One in each corner and then equally spaced on the sides and two in the middle equal to the ones on the sides if that makes sense.
I followed this pattern even on the smaller panels but not as many fasteners!


         

[brando4905]

At first I was picturing the wire that you hang ornaments with, I was having a hard time visioning how you would do that.

Then I found this place, http://www.itw-fastex.com/catalog/index.php/dw/oc/a/7/c/17 , looks like you can get all sorts of neat stuff in quantity.

[muddog16]

Ace, I remember you saying that is what you used.   I found a place and ordered enough (more than i will ever use i'm sure) to do my ceiling.  My plan is to cut each panel then clamp it where it goes, then drill through the panel into the chassis steel assuring that alignment is correct!  I will also lay out the lighting cans and cut the holes for them and the registers for the heat pumps.  After this is accomplished, I will remove that panel..........glue each christmas tree fastner into place (the heads are 1" diameter and flat), then I have 1/8" upholstery foam glued into place, then covered with my ultraleather.  My only concern was what thickness the panel should be, 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2".   I think the 3/8" would do a fine job and not show any waves and give a nice flat finished surface!  Living in mayberry as I do, I don't have the luxury of going to the local upholstery shop, I ended up ordering...them!    Thanks again.....I appreciate the input from everyone!     


Pat

[Oonrahnjay]

Those fasteners (we called them "fir trees" at Land Rover but "Christmas tree" probably describes them better) were made to hold a flat panel to a flat panel (or flat surface like a bracket or flange).  If you're putting them through a panel but into a drilled hole in a solid item, you can trim them off pretty short -- they were made so that only one level of the little tabs should hold -- if you're putting the whole length of the fastener to work and the tabs are gripping into a cylinder, you'll get really good holding.  Regarding the thickness of the material, the fasteners spread the load out a little but otherwise, it's a trade off.  If the panel is too thick or stiff, it won't conform to curves and the springiness of it will make it tend to pop the fasteners out.  On the other hand, if it's too thin or not stiff enough, you'll get droop or waviness.  And there's the issue of what you use -- plywood, hardboard, plastic panels, etc.  There are lots of variables and that makes for tricky decisions.

[luvrbus]

Pat, I am always late to the dance anyway B&B Coach uses a unique system to attach his headliners with a rail system Gary will tell you how he does it give him a call he will talk to you  


good luck

[Ace]

Those are different fasteners than I used. I will post a picture later of the ones I used.

[robertglines1]

I used a rail system in 89 prevost I did. worked out good enough I'm doing in new bus. was nice to be able to remove a panel if needed.  50,000 miles and they never moved.   Bob ps always looking for new ideas.

[TomC]

With a 22" spread, I would not use 1/4".  3/8" would probably be enough.  Good Luck, TomC

[Oonrahnjay]

I used a rail system in 89 prevost I did. worked out good enough (snip)

Another way that works well is to have the rail system on the sides and "tree" fasteners down the middle (assuming you've got the right "spring" and stiffness that I was talking about before).  That way, any movement in the structure allows the panels to slip slightly in the rails and doesn't trap them in an immovable position.   To remove the panel, just pop a few "trees" out of the middle and drop it.

[rwc]

Please explain "rail system" for those of us that are un-enlightened. Please shine a little light on this subject as I am still contemplating ceiling finish. Thanks,   Rod

[Ace]

Finally was able to put my hands on the extra bag of fasteners and hopefully this pic will show you what I used.

The only downfall to this site is the way you can only load a certain size picture. Sorry for this pic but doing it from my phone has its limitations. If you need better pics, email me.

Sure wish they would up the limit just a little.