Covering access holes in headliner

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Warren Kaplan

Covering access holes in headliner

Post by Warren Kaplan »

On occasion, access holes may have to be cut in the headliner for mounting or getting at through bolts for cabintop mounted hardware, or for various other reasons. I have read articles where people take a hole saw, or other cutting tool and cut out 4" or 6" holes in the headliner. These articles are so concerned with mounting the hardware that they rarely say anything about "closing" the holes in the headliner. I'm not talking about simple screw holes here, but rather about large holes as mentioned above. Any advice on what to use to close the holes that at least looks decent? Any advice on how you did this would be appreciated.
Thanks

Warren Kaplan
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27 #166



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Richard Gelfand

Re: Covering access holes in headliner

Post by Richard Gelfand »

I would use a piece of thin teak with the edge routed to cover the hole. On my 27 there is an access plate set up like like this under the mast where the electricl wires for the mast connect to a block for distribion to the pannel. I also made one to cover the hole in the bulkhead over the sink where the back of the compass is. Attach to the liner with some small brass screws. Drill pilot holes first.



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Bob Ohler

Re: Covering access holes in headliner

Post by Bob Ohler »

I made 2 round covers from wood. I first cut the "plugs" to rough size with a jig saw. I then mounted these to a faceplate and trued the edges on a lathe. At the same time, I cut a shoulder to allow the plugs to slightly recess inside the holes in the hull liner. I drilled two small holes in the plugs, and two small holes in the hull liner to accept the screws which hold the plugs in place. The plugs can always be removed to get to the hardware or fasteners behind the hull liner.
Bob O.

Richard Gelfand wrote: I would use a piece of thin teak with the edge routed to cover the hole. On my 27 there is an access plate set up like like this under the mast where the electricl wires for the mast connect to a block for distribion to the pannel. I also made one to cover the hole in the bulkhead over the sink where the back of the compass is. Attach to the liner with some small brass screws. Drill pilot holes first.


bobohler@chesapeake.net
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