I've procured the correct replacement strips between the ceiling panels and now hoping to remove and re-paint the panels. Has anyone been successful in repainting the panels and if so, what paint was used? Were you happy with the results? The replacement panels are available but for ~$500, I thought I'd try to freshen them first. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
I bought the reproduction headliner pieces. I bought two sets since I have two 67 wagons, so I got a very nice discount. I know the rear corner D pillar pieces are going to be a bear to reshape (they are shipped flat and steam needs to be applied to shape them). The original rear corner pieces look the same as the other panels, but they are much thinner and actually appear to be plastic. I'll probably try to reuse the corner pieces. Guessing any paint that would stick to plastic or wood would work. Meanwhile, I'm still looking for the plastic retaining strips that go between each panel. I spent well over $1000 for the upholstery material for the seats from SMS. Still haven't taken the seats into the upholstery shop yet. I have other projects to finish before I start reassembly on the tan wagon.
That's fantastic that Jim has some experience in this area. It's always great when you find someone who is dealing with or using the exact same product as you are.
EJL, a poster on For B Bodies Only, needed the plastic strips for his own wagon, and had several sets made. The shorter 51" strips are the ones that I ordered for my B body wagon. He mentioned he had longer ones available too but that supplies of the longer ones were more limited. I know a guy with a 67 Belvedere wagon who restored his wagon several years ago using the plastic strips he obtained out a a junk yard 65 Belvedere wagon. Those pieces fit his wagon fine but were a bit narrower than what would have been correct for a 67. With that in mind, I would guess these new reproduction pieces could be used on your 64 wagon, but might be wider than your originals. That would mean the little metal end caps might be too narrow. I would think you could trim down the plastic on the ends to fit into the end caps.
My headliner is actually in fantastic shape. There is one odd situation though. Where the dome light is, it's sagging. Not the entire thing though, just the area at the back of the light. It's one of those things where I look at it and think "I should try to figure that out and fix it." and then I immediately think of all of the times when I have said that about something else on the car and it's turned into a can of worms! Sometimes, if it's still working, I feel the best case is to just leave it alone.
In another life long long ago Hubby used to install headliners. I memtioned your headliner starting to sag around the light, it's from the heat drying out the glue. And you are right, the best thing to do is nothing. If you try to reglue it it will likey get lumpy or start to pull the rest of it down. However this is a sign of a future job for the team.