Interior materials? headliner and insulation recommendations?

[AJ88V]

Planning to update my interior.  Fortunately the plastic is in pretty good shape, only requiring a small amount of repair before repaint.  

I don't know what if any insulation was replaced when SB M20 208 tube inspection was done, so looking for recommendations for insulation.  Probably more interested in thermal and weight saving vice chasing soundproofing.  The stuff on AC Spruce looks to be chop foam like carpet underlayment with aluminum foil and is NOT approved for certified aircraft.

Also, the interior headliner is pretty stained and looks like it should be easy to replace.  The current material looks to be a thin vinyl (over foam?) and would be fine in a different color.  ACSpruce sells wool with a burn cert, but I'm not sure I want to go that route.  Some of the refurbished aircraft on my home field have some woven fabrics that look nice too.

Recommendations and discussion appreciated.  Thanks!

[Fritz1]

Spruce sells the sound ex material in different thickness, approved for cert aircraft, maybe go for the thinnest one to save weight, there are pre-cut sets for many aircraft types, buying by the roll is typically less expensive, make card board templates first and then cut insulation material with heavy pair of scissors

[AJ88V]

Thanks Fritz1.  I was looking for insulation, and Spruce calls it soundproofing.

Here's the link for the pre-cut kits (approx. $1000).  https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/soundex.php

Individual Soundex sheets are cheaper, but not cheap.

Has anybody used this 3M material?  https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/dampingpanels.php

18" x 48" is $200.

 

 

[Kelpro999]

 I used 3/8” closed cell vinyl-nitride foam from Spruce. Self adhesive and placed it over small pieces of dyna-mat. Insulates and reduces most all cabin skin upper frequency vibration. Lowers cabin noise substantially 

[AJ88V]

I asked my A&P what he was using for the headliner material - he’s restored lots of planes - and his advice was “Don’t do it.  It’sa pain in the @zz. Pay somebody else to do it.” And then recommended a shop that does really nice interiors. 

So how bad is doing the headliner?  There doesn’t look to be much to it, but then I’ve never had it apart.
 

[DCarlton]

2 minutes ago, AJ88V said:

I asked my A&P what he was using for the headliner material - he’s restored lots of planes - and his advice was “Don’t do it.  It’sa pain in the @zz. Pay somebody else to do it.” And then recommended a shop that does really nice interiors. 

So how bad is doing the headliner?  There doesn’t look to be much to it, but then I’ve never had it apart.
 

I did everything but the headliner in my plane years ago.  I used the pre cut insulation kit.  Now wish I had done the headliner; it's sagging in a few area.  If you could find some compliance self stick material, I can't imagine it being that difficult.  If you've gotta spray glue, seems like it could be messy.  

[vorlon1]

20 hours ago, AJ88V said:

I asked my A&P what he was using for the headliner material - he’s restored lots of planes - and his advice was “Don’t do it.  It’sa pain in the @zz. Pay somebody else to do it.” And then recommended a shop that does really nice interiors. 

So how bad is doing the headliner?  There doesn’t look to be much to it, but then I’ve never had it apart.
 

What shop did he recommend?

[Andy95W]

On 11/3/2024 at 10:57 AM, AJ88V said:

I asked my A&P what he was using for the headliner material - he’s restored lots of planes - and his advice was “Don’t do it.  It’sa pain in the @zz. Pay somebody else to do it.” And then recommended a shop that does really nice interiors. 

So how bad is doing the headliner?  There doesn’t look to be much to it, but then I’ve never had it apart.
 

I did the headliner.  It was my 3rd airplane interior and second headliner so I’d call it difficult but not too bad.  It’s the kind of job that when you’re halfway through you’ll wish you’d paid someone else.  But when you’re done, you’re glad you did it yourself.  And there is the chance that if you are conscientious and take your time, you’ll do a nicer job than a shop would do.

[Fritz1]

I had a sagging tweed headliner and sprayed 3M trim adhesive behind it with a hypodermic needle, got rid of the sagging, not perfect but quick and painless

[LANCECASPER]

On 11/4/2024 at 12:55 PM, Fritz1 said:

I had a sagging tweed headliner and sprayed 3M trim adhesive behind it with a hypodermic needle, got rid of the sagging, not perfect but quick and painless

I had that happen with the factory Eurostretch material on a 1997 Encore I had. I took down the headliner  and took it to an upholstery shop, had them pull it off and re-glue it. It looked brand new when they were done. I think it was around $100 to have them do it.