Fiber Optic Headliner

This is a straightforward and fun way to install a starlight headliner in your own car. The starlight headliner was originally invented by Rolls Royce and is featured in their ceilings. I customized the layout for my "stars" using a template and will cover this, but it is completely optional. I will also include a way to control the headliner with a custom switch panel, an easy way to conceal the wiring, and a way to control the color and flashing of the headliner with a remote control.

Supplies

Starlight headliner kit- there are many types out there, I used this one: https://www.amazon.com/Ceiling-Remote-Controller-3..

Sound insulation for cars (optional)

A small piece of 1/8 inch craft wood

Wood stain (optional)

Rocker switches

Assorted wire

Hand tools

Soldering tools

Toenail clippers

Hot glue gun

Paperclip

Cardboard (optional)

Laser cutter (optional)

Step 1: Step 1: Choose Your Layout

I did not want just some random layout of my fiber optics, so I decided to generate an image of the night sky on the night I was born. I then laser cut this image out onto a piece of cardboard and used it as a template. I had to scale the image to be the size of my ceiling (32"x20"). I used this website to generate the image of the night sky: https://in-the-sky.org/skymap.php

Step 2: Step 2: Poke the Holes in Your Headliner

I then used this piece of cardboard as a template for my holes. I taped the cardboard to the back of my headliner (it must be removed from the car to modify it). I used a thumbtack and a paperclip to poke holes through the cardboard and the headliner. The paperclip is helpful because it pokes through the fabric of the headliner while the thumbtack gets through the cardboard and the solid part of the headliner. If you are not using a template, just determine the area for your fiber optics and draw small dots where you want your lights to be. Then poke holes at these locations.

Step 3: Step 3: Threading the Fiber Optics

Once all of the holes are poked, remove the template (if applicable). I then unscrewed piece that retains the fiber optics from the actual module containing the LEDs just for ease of installation. I then threaded through each of the fiber optics through the holes, working methodically from one side to another. I would thread through 5-10 fibers and then hot glue them and let them dry, then repeat the process until all of the holes have fiber optics in them.

A few tips:

1. I would thread through the fibers at least a few inches past the headliner and then trim them later.

2. If the fibers don't push through the pre-poked holes, use the paperclip to just poke a hole through the fabric again.

Step 4: Step 4: Trimming

Once all of the hot glue is dry, use the finger nail clippers to trim all of the fiber optics flush to the headliner.

Step 5: Step 5: Switch Panel

I made my own switch panel to control these lights, but you can use a pre-fabbed switch panel or just install a single switch somewhere. I have 5 switches on my board because I am going to use the board to control more accessories later. To make the panel, I cut the craft wood into the size that I wanted the panel to be and sanded the edges. I then measured the diameter of my rocker switches and used a drill press to cut holes out for the switchs. I finally hot glues the switches to the panel and then sanded the edges.

Step 6: Step 6: Wiring

Rocker switches work by controlling current from a power source to an accessory. The switches are also grounded. First, I had to reinstall my headliner. Make sure you attach the LED module to the fiber optics and have enough wire going from the module (a few feet at least). Thread the wires (hot and grounds) down the A Pillar (between windshield and front door) behind the trim piece until the wires can be accessed below the dash (or wherever your switch panel is going). I then attached the hot wire from the LED to the rocker switch and grounded both the LED and the rocker switch to a common ground on the switch panel. Finally, I wired the rocker switch to a fuse on the car that is always on (it controls headlights). Make sure to solder all connections and use heat shrinks to protect any bare metal from water and corrosion. Finally, zip tie all loose wires up and away from any pedals and to clean up the look of the truck.