This installation guide is designed as a guide for fitting an Optimise Automotive Mini Van (1960 to 1983) or Mini Pickup (1961 to 1983) headlining kit.

Installing a headliner is very different to installing “nut & bolt” items. There is movement in the materials and as a result, a headliner needs to be manipulated, pulled and installed through the fitters touch & feel.

We recommend taking your time, do not rush the process and double check alignment before cutting or glueing anything.

Your Kit - What’s Included:

• 1x front frame headliner

• 1x driver side sun visor (optional extra)

• 1x passenger side sun visor (optional extra)

Tools Needed (Recommended):

• Pencil

• Office stapler

• Bulldog clips 25mm (x32)

• Contact spray adhesive (high temperature resistant)

• Scissors

Preparation:

Before installing your new headlining kit you will need to remove the front seats, rear view mirror, sun visors and headlining frame.

Although it will not be essential to remove your front seats, we would recommend it, as the extra space makes removing the headliner frames and working on your Mini, much easier.

Pre-Installation:

Before you begin installing your new headliner to the frames, examine how the old headlining is stapled and glued to the frames. Paying particularly notice to how the headliner material is cut around the framework.

Installation - Headliner To The frames:

1. Lay the headlining face down flat on a bench and using a pencil mark a faint centre line, front to back.

2. On each of the tabs (for each of the cross-member struts that run side to side) cut two slits either side of the centre line, which will allow the tabs to pass either side of the central strut (that runs front to back).

3. Now lay the frame on top of the headliner and align the central strut (that runs front to back) with the centre line on your headliner.

4. Pull the headliner tabs around each cross-member strut (that run side to side) and staple, just like the original.

5. When you get near the ends (at the sides of the frame) cut away the excess material from the tabs, which will allow the tabs to pass around the edge of the frame. On the inside of the frame cut the material at 45 degrees and leave a tab which will run under the frame. This tab will later be folded back around the frame (around the outside) and be glued in place. Do not cut the stitch lines.

6. It’s now time to start pulling and clipping the headliner into place, start in the middle of the the curved edge, pull it tight, wrap the headliner around the edge of the frame and attach a bulldog clip in the middle. Move to the other end of the frame and do the same.

7. When you are happy with the central front-to-back tension proceed and clip the headliner to the rest of the front and back of the frame. Pulling and wrapping the headliner around the edge of the frame and continually checking that the headlining is tight. At this stage adjust the tension front to back (by resetting the bulldog clips), ensuring that the stitch lines are parallel with each of the cross-member struts. Or in other words, make sure the stitch lines are straight.

8. Once the front and back of the headlining is clipped you can start to clip the sides. As with the front and back, pull the headlining tight (side to side) and clip it around the edge of the frame, work your way from the back to the front.

9. We recommend leaving the headliner to hang overnight and once it has settled make any necessary adjustments to the tension the following day.

10. When you are happy with the tension, one side at a time (we recommend starting at the rear and working your way forward, finishing with the front), remove the bulldog clips and apply spray adhesive to the outside ring of the frame and the edge of the headliner. Or in other words, spray the glue where the headlining will be stuck to the frame.
    Please Note It is vitally important that you wait for the spray glue to go touch dry before attempting to stick the headliner in place. If you do not wait for the glue to be touch dry the covers will not stick correctly.

11. Once the adhesive has gone touch dry stick the headlining to the frame, pulling it tight and wrapping it around the edge of the frame. Repeat with all four sides (as mentioned above we recommend starting at the rear and working your way forward, finishing with the front), continually check to make sure that the the stitch lines are straight. Use a hair dryer to warm the vinyl, this will soften the material and make it easier to manipulate. Please be careful not to over heat.

12. Finish off by reinstalling the trim-clips, just like the original.

Installation - Headliner to the Mini:

With the headliner now fitted to the frames, you can install the headliner frames to the Mini. The frame slides into place.

Post-Installation:

With your new headliner now installed, you can reinstall the (we recommend in this order) rear view mirror, sun visors and the front seats.