What's the best way to create a headliner?

[Monty]

This obviously isn't the most eye-grabbing thing you can do as part of your detailing, but when striving for a more realistic look, it can make a big difference when done correctly.  

I'm curious to see what materials you guys use, how you make details like pleats, and how you work around kit glass that attaches to the inside of the body.  (Assume that any clear styrene runners the mfr molded between the windshield and the rear window have been trimmed down to the edge of the "glass")

I'd love to see pics with any commentary you post.  

[Snake45]

I find white headliners to be a PITA to do, so when I did my '68 Javelin promo, I just used white vinyl tape. The seams were a bonus and no, I didn't worry about getting the widths right, though I could have.

[Tom Geiger]

The whole idea of model building is creating an illusion of the 1:1 vehicle.  You don't have to be correct pleat for pleat, just  be able to convince the viewer that your model is complete.  Headliners don't get viewed directly, especially since most viewers are looking at the model as it sits on a display table, so they are looking through an open side window, upside down.  There are times that simply cutting the glass runners off and painting the headliner area the correct color creates that look.  I'd say it's more important to add details like interior dome lights, visors and rear view mirror, because they give enough of the picture that the viewer finishes the details in their head. It's even less important when the viewer sees the headliner through closed plastic windows.  

I've done the color masking tape thing, I've also used old business cards that have a texture to them for things like headliners.  Here's a Chevette that had glass that had the runners close to the edges.  I simply cut the business card to size, painted it flat black and glued it to the glass shot.  

Here you can see my visors aren't perfect, and there is a rear view mirror.  Nobody will ever see it in this view, only looking through the door windows upside down. The entire interior being black also cuts way down on how much the viewer sees.

Here's the basic materials I've used.  I create the template and get it symmetrical on either side by cutting it folded over (like paper dolls). Then I trace this onto another card, and cut one flat.  Paint it and  install it with white glue. The template goes in a drawer in case I do another of the same truck again someday.

Here it is installed.  I'm not sure what a rear 1979 Ford headliner looks like, but neither do most viewers. 

Dodge A100 van headliner is simply painted. I added sun visors and that will complete the view through those small side windows.

 

[Cato]

Good tips above. I'm considering used dryer sheets for my big Rolls. Cuts and glues easily, takes acrylic craft paints well too. Has nice texture weave to it. Should work well on smaller scales too.