This installation guide is designed to help you fit your Optimise Automotive MK3 onwards (1969 to 2000) headlining kit.

Installing a headlining kit is very different to installing conventional "nut and bolt" components. The materials naturally move and stretch during installation, so the headlining must be manipulated, tensioned and positioned using the installer's judgement and feel.

I recommend taking your time, avoiding rushing the process, and double-checking the alignment before cutting or gluing any material.

If you have any questions during installation or need any assistance, please get in touch and I'll be happy to help.

Your Kit - What’s Included:

• 1x headliner

• 1x driver side A pillar trim

• 1x passenger side A pillar trim

• 1x driver side B pillar trim

• 1x passenger side B pillar trim

• 1x driver side C pillar trim

• 1x passenger side C pillar trim

• 1x under rear screen trim

• 1x driver side sun visor (optional extra)

• 1x passenger side sun visor (optional extra)

Tools Needed (Recommended):

• Clean lint-free cloth

• Grease removal cleaning agent (such as panel wipe)

• Masking tape

• 25mm bulldog clips (x32)

• High temperature-resistant contact spray adhesive

• Sharp knife

• Hair dryer (recommended)

Preparation:

Before installing your new headlining kit, you will need to remove:

• Front seats

• Rear parcel shelf board

• Front windscreen

• Rear windscreen

• Rear quarter windows

• Window and door rubber edge trims

• Rear view mirror

• Sun visors

• Interior light

• Seat belt fixings (B and C pillars)

• Original headlining

Although it is not essential to remove the rear seat, I recommend doing so, as it provides additional working space inside the Mini.

If possible, I also recommend removing the top padded dash rail if you are installing the A pillar trims.

Pre-Installation:

Using a clean lint-free cloth and a grease removal cleaning agent, clean around the inside edge of the roof aperture and the lips of the window openings.

In other words, clean all areas where the headlining and trim panels will be bonded to the Mini.

Allow the cleaning agent to dry and/or evaporate naturally before continuing.

Installation:

Installing the Headlining:

Apply masking tape around the window and door openings on the outside of the Mini to protect the paintwork from adhesive overspray.

Insert the headlining rods into the sewn loops on the rear of the headlining.

From front to back, the rods should be installed in the following order:

• Red

• White

• White

• Black

• Blue

• Yellow

For reference, the front of the headlining is the end with the evenly spaced stitched sections. The rear of the headlining is the end with the shorter stitched section after the final rod pocket.

Apply contact spray adhesive around the inside edge of the roof opening and to the window and door aperture lips where the headlining will be secured.

Place the headlining into the Mini, ensuring it is the correct way round, with the red rod at the front and the yellow rod at the rear.

Locate each rod into the corresponding holes in the roof rails.

Once all rods are located, rotate each rod approximately 180 degrees so it follows the curvature of the roof.

Begin tensioning the headlining by pulling it tight around the centre of the rear window opening and securing it with a bulldog clip.

Repeat the process at the centre of the front windscreen opening.

Adjust the front-to-back tension until you are happy with the overall alignment.

Continue clipping the remainder of the front and rear edges, continually checking that the headlining remains evenly tensioned.

Next, begin tensioning the sides.

Working from the rear of the Mini towards the front, pull the headlining tight around each window and door opening before securing it with bulldog clips.

If required, gently warm the vinyl using a hair dryer. This softens the material and makes it easier to stretch around the various openings. Take care not to overheat the material.

I recommend leaving the headlining clipped into position overnight to allow the material to settle naturally.

The following day, make any final adjustments to the tension before gluing.

Once you are satisfied with the fit, begin at the rear window and work forwards one opening at a time.

Remove the bulldog clips from that section and apply contact spray adhesive to the rear of the headlining where it wraps around the opening.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Once the adhesive has become touch dry, pull the headlining tight and bond it around the window or door opening.

Continue until the headlining has been fully secured around every opening.

Using a sharp knife, trim away the excess material around all window and door openings, ensuring the trimmed edges will be completely hidden beneath the rubber seals.

Trim the excess material from the tops of the A, B and C pillars.

The A and B pillar edges should be trimmed particularly neatly, as these edges remain visible beneath the pillar trims.

The C pillar trims cover the edge of the headlining, making this area slightly less critical.

Installing the A Pillar Trims:

Apply contact spray adhesive to both A pillars inside the Mini.

Apply the same adhesive to the rear of both A pillar trims.

Also apply adhesive to the front windscreen and front door aperture lips where the trims will wrap around the openings.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Position each A pillar trim onto the pillar, aligning it from the top down.

For reference, the A pillar trims are the "L" shaped pieces. The lower section of the "L" points towards the centre of the Mini and wraps around the top padded dash rail and lower corner of the windscreen.

Wrap the trims neatly around the front windscreen and front door openings.

Installing the B Pillar Trims:

Apply contact spray adhesive to both B pillars inside the Mini.

Apply the same adhesive to the rear of both B pillar trims.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Position each B pillar trim onto the pillar, aligning it from the top down.

For reference, the B pillar trims are the rectangular shaped pieces.

Wrap the trims neatly around the front door and rear quarter window openings.

Installing the Under Rear Screen Trim:

Apply contact spray adhesive underneath the rear windscreen.

Apply the same adhesive to the rear of the under rear screen trim.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Position the under rear screen trim underneath the rear window.

For reference, this is the long narrow rectangular trim.

Wrap the trim neatly around the rear window opening.

Installing the C Pillar Trims:

Apply contact spray adhesive to the tabs on the rear of both C pillar trims.

Apply the same adhesive to the rear quarter window and rear windscreen aperture lips where the trims will wrap around the openings.

It is vitally important that you allow the adhesive to become touch dry before fitting the trims. If the adhesive is still wet, the trims will not bond correctly.

Position both C pillar trims into place, aligning them centrally on each C pillar.

Use the seat belt mounting hole as a reference for their position.

If your Mini is fitted with a heated rear window, feed the wiring through the pre-cut holes in the C pillar boards.

The holes are already cut in the boards but will need opening in the trimming using a sharp knife.

Wrap the C pillar trims around the rear quarter window and rear windscreen openings.

Using a sharp knife, trim away any remaining excess material around all window and door openings, ensuring every trimmed edge will be hidden beneath the rubber seals.

Finally, remove all masking tape from the Mini.

Post-Installation:

With your new headlining kit installed, you can now reinstall:

• Window and door rubber edge trims

• Top padded dash rail (if removed)

• Rear parcel shelf board

• Interior light

• Rear view mirror

• Sun visors

• Seat belt fixings (B and C pillars)

• Rear quarter windows

• Front windscreen

• Rear windscreen

• Rear seat

• Front seats

Finished:

I hope you love your new Optimise Automotive interior and enjoy seeing it transform your Mini.

When your installation is complete, please send me some photos of the finished result. I'd love to see your Mini with its new interior fitted, and customer builds are always fantastic to see and help inspire future Classic Mini owners too.