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So I bought the aftermarket ABS headliner for my '86 hardtop Trans Am.
In the beginning I was already frustrated when I noticed that it leaves noticeable gaps everywhere once installed.
But it didn't stop there.
After just a few months of driving, the new headliner has already started to sag! What the hell? I don't think moisture would do this, at least not this quickly. It started to sag significantly during a heatwave so I'm thinking the headliner is just so garbage that the glue can't even handle 90 degrees.
This means I have to redo the headliner once again.
All in all it feels like a 20 dollar part but, oh no, this baby will cost you hundreds of dollars. With that price I think it should be illegal to sell this headliner.
Maybe you got a lemon part. My ABS headliner is still looking great, 3 years later. My car spends all it's time outside too. It doesn't fit EXACTLY right around the edges, but it doesn't look horrible.
Im with _Nick_ on that, although my ABS headliner did not fit 100% perfect out of the box, it still looks awesome after 4.5 years in the car, blazing heat and freezing snow
i left mine uncovered though, didn't want to have to deal with sagging material any more, just painted it to match and trimmed anything that didnt fit right
Im with _Nick_ on that, although my ABS headliner did not fit 100% perfect out of the box, it still looks awesome after 4.5 years in the car, blazing heat and freezing snow
i left mine uncovered though, didn't want to have to deal with sagging material any more, just painted it to match and trimmed anything that didnt fit right
well, if it aint EXACTLY right. it automatically is exactly WRONG. whats with parts makers not caring enough to get it right the first time?? are we just supposed to accept POS products that fit WORSE than the ***** we are trying to fix in the first place? I think not!!
I bought a PUI brand headliner from summit. It sat in my spare room for 6 months or more before I even took it out of the factory plastic wrapping. When I did, to my horror, the fabric was released from the backer in a couple spots. I called Summit, they were no help. I called PUI and they asked for pics. Sent them some and the customer service guy agreed it was defective. Asked me to send pics of the headliner after I had cut the material with a razor knife and they would replace it. I did so, feeling like an a$$ for protecting the thing for so long only to destroy it. They sent me a new headliner, and let me keep the old one. I stripped the fabric off and sold it locally for $50.
Edit: The fit was pretty good on the headliner. The only gap was above the A pillars, you can see a little of the roof underneath it, maybe an 1/8". Other than that, spot on.
I see a lot of threads about aftermarket headliners. Most, if not all, don't fit right. Aside from quality/longevity issues, no one makes one that is an exact fit?
I see a lot of threads about aftermarket headliners. Most, if not all, don't fit right. Aside from quality/longevity issues, no one makes one that is an exact fit?
IMHO if it is not exactly right...... close enough only counts with hand grenades and shot guns. what if we want it to just WORK?? once ,with no silly BS? are we truly out of luck as far as aftermarket mfgrs are concerned?? should we just be happy with "close"? the attitude seems to be "ah, f .em" as far as the evidence will show.sad really that SOMEONE would just take the time to do it right, once, and done
Actually, I think if I removed the A pillar trim and repositioned it higher, my gaps would go away. But Not willing to risk breaking the flimsy plastic that holds the clips in to try it. I had to glue two of the clips back on my trim before I installed it because they were broke.(may be why it is off, I glued them as far to the back of the slot as I could to make it hold better) I'll live with it until I have spare/better ones to put back.
So I bought the aftermarket ABS headliner for my '86 hardtop Trans Am.
After just a few months of driving, the new headliner has already started to sag! What the hell? I don't think moisture would do this, at least not this quickly. It started to sag significantly during a heatwave so I'm thinking the headliner is just so garbage that the glue can't even handle 90 degrees.
Yep. Same here. My original headliner lasted over 20 years before it started to sag (only over me). The new ABS headliner started sagging everywhere in about 2 months.
I don't like that the front droops down near where my rearview mirror is either. You shouldn't have to prop it up with sunvisors. They need to make these with the clips and with some real glue.
I'll hold off on doing mine then. I may just rip it out and go bare. No headliner. Hundreds of bucks and we should be able to get a cut-to-fit headliner, edges just an extra 1/2" longer? This way, if it is short as some have stated, there is the extra length needed. If not, trim a little.
Or would this be a pain? I haven't installed a headliner so it may be a PITA to fit, measure, trim, re-fit etc. Might damage the headliner in the process of taking it in and out? I'm on hold for now, that's all I know.
I had to comment again, I see you guys are talking about hardtop headliners. I had an ABS one in my IROC. The fabric didn't sag at all in the 2 years I owned it, but it fit like absolute garbage. It's only saving grace was that it was black, so the imperfections weren't super obvious. I didn't put it in, but I would have been pissed had I spent that time and money on it. It really isn't acceptable.
You hardtop guys are really screwed as far as headliners go. Your only real option is re-covering an original piece, but that isn't always a choice you can make.
Take the easy way out, just go to a local auto upholstery shop and let them worry about it. The costs may be equal and less headaches. Did mine at a local shop and got a Factory look and a free cup of coffee. Still looks good after ten years.
I got lucky and found a very nice headliner from pick and pull, as i bought my 3rd gen w/out much interior. It was under $20. Even though I broke a couple of clips removing it, it still worked fine and looks great. If you got the extra cash, a previous post indicates A1 was a perfect fit or like the other guy said go to an upholstery place, as for me, I've built mine mostly from Clist & junk yards
well, if it aint EXACTLY right. it automatically is exactly WRONG. whats with parts makers not caring enough to get it right the first time?? are we just supposed to accept POS products that fit WORSE than the ***** we are trying to fix in the first place? I think not!!
I agree manufacturers need to step it up and give the customers the best product they can produce the first time around
when i say mine did not fit 100%, my issue was the sunvisor mounting holes did not line up perfectly, the large hole the spring slides in was dead on, but the screw holes were off, i simply drilled out new mounting holes and all is well
other than that I had to sand the edges around the top of the headliner to smooth it all over(this would usually be covered with material and never be noticed) since i wanted an uncovered headliner i had to deal with the flaws of plastic, which are easy to resolve, i love the fit and finish of my headliner
I agree manufacturers need to step it up and give the customers the best product they can produce the first time around
when i say mine did not fit 100%, my issue was the sunvisor mounting holes did not line up perfectly, the large hole the spring slides in was dead on, but the screw holes were off, i simply drilled out new mounting holes and all is well
other than that I had to sand the edges around the top of the headliner to smooth it all over(this would usually be covered with material and never be noticed) since i wanted an uncovered headliner i had to deal with the flaws of plastic, which are easy to resolve, i love the fit and finish of my headliner
That's more than acceptable for me. I can always just dip it another color. Probably black. Thanks.
You hardtop guys are really screwed as far as headliners go. Your only real option is re-covering an original piece, but that isn't always a choice you can make.
The original is pretty much in pieces and the fabric on the new one is sagging everywhere.
I'm thinking of just gluing leather on the ABS plastic. A leather headliner sounds badass. Any problems with this idea?
The original is pretty much in pieces and the fabric on the new one is sagging everywhere.
I'm thinking of just gluing leather on the ABS plastic. A leather headliner sounds badass. Any problems with this idea?
Your adhesive and how you apply it are gonna be your biggest challenge. The leather is heavy, and will have gravity working against it from the second you install it.
I've heard good things about 3m adhesive, 77 and 90. Or upholsters glue. Just make damn sure you clean the hell outta the headliner. Get all that dust and microscopic crap off before you glue. Also make sure you follow the instructions on letting it tack up. With 77, I've always had luck waiting 25 to 30 mins. Too fast, and you might as well try and stick it with spit.
If you DO go that route though, be sure to post up about it. And add lots of pretty pictures so us simple guys can understand!
Last edited by Dezined; 08-06-2014 at 10:01 PM.
Reason: Stupid smileys...
I re-used my original backer and had it recovered after reading countless stories of horror and disappointment concerning the aftermarket ABS headliner. If it is not significantly water damaged, a bit of fiberglass cloth and resin will fix it right up. After having a local shop recover it, it looks good as new and fits like a glove.
I re-used my original backer and had it recovered after reading countless stories of horror and disappointment concerning the aftermarket ABS headliner. If it is not significantly water damaged, a bit of fiberglass cloth and resin will fix it right up. After having a local shop recover it, it looks good as new and fits like a glove.
I did the same thing, took it to a local shop and they did an awesome job for a $100 bucks...
IMHO
IF there were a headliner // backer board that fit as GM intended, the $ would be considerabley high.
Other than ' glass & resin the original ( if it is save worthy ) there unfortunately is nothing
else out there.
There were a few members mentioning fabbing from carbon fiber, but that is way expensive too.
Picked up a black ttops headliner for my 86 iroc and after being in backorder for a while finally got it put it in and after some messing I got it pretty good but it does have a few gaps wear the headliner meets the glass you can see the metal and Behind the ttops there’s a gap anyone know how to fix this thanks
08-04-2014, 11:21 AM
and disappointment
concerning the aftermarket ABS headliner. If it is not significantly water damaged, a bit of fiberglass cloth and resin will fix it right up. After having a local shop recover it, it looks good as new and fits like a glove. 
