BodyGeneral body information and techniques for repairing, restoring, and modifying your car.
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Alright, when I got this car, it had no headliner, or backerboard. While at the salvage yard one day, I got the backer board, then got the proper fabric. Sprayed it with 3m super glue. Looked great for about 4-5 months, now its falling again.
What might I have done wrong? Any suggestions as to how I can make it work this time? I really dont feel like coughing out 100-150 for a headliner like my local salvage yard that carrys camaro parts quoted me.
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__________________ 99 Grand Prix GTP Sedan
91 Camaro RS Vert, 660ft in 9.011@74.13
old car 91 Camaro RS HDTP 3.4/t5
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I am very interested in this also, I have an 84 Transam w/ T-Tops and I got sick and tired of crap falling on me all the time so I ripped it all out, now I have the bare metal, and I don't want to go back to that cardboard stuff. Thanks.
Before you put it back in make sure the adheasive cures. I took out my headliner, fixed it up and glassed the whole thing. Then I sprayed and put the fabric on. Later that day I installed the headliner and about 4 months later the thing started falling down. I would let it sit for at least 2 days berfore installilng.
Definitely let it cure. Just drive without one for a few days, it is well worth it in the long run. I actually did mine, stuck it in the house, and then forgot about it till i looked up one day and realized i forgot to put it in.
Yea, i've used fiberglass alot before, its messy, but fun.
Mrs has been driving about 2 weeks without it now, she can go a few more days. Actually, couple more weeks so I can get the money to buy the fabric and glue.
Auto Upholestery Shop will cost way less then $300 and give you a stock factory look . Also you don't have to DIY.
Went that route and no problema with glue,material or anything else. Just a hour sitting around waiting to have it done.
Well worth the money spent.
Woah, thanks, guys. I have a can of #77 in my basement from my first headliner attempt back in '97, when I re-used the fabric. I figured I was all set, and would've used it on when I redid the headliner with NEW fabric this year.
Thanks for the tip on #77 being bad, and contacting 3M to find out that Fast Tack Trim Adhesive is the stuff to use, CaysE!
Anyone know where to find this stuff? Home Depot? Walmart?
__________________ -Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)
Walmart and HD should both have them, they were selling little cans at Joanne fabrics when i went to get my headliner material as well. Pretty much any hardware store should have it also.
Well took my headliner out the other day, cleaned it up, made some patches out of hot glue and fiberglass tape. Bought some stuff from autozone specially made for headliners and used the entire can. (make sure you do both surfaces, much better bond).
A few questions....My car is an 87 T/A, the door molders were very hard to get off. Now how do I get them back on? How about the 2 clips near the front of the headliner? What are the tricks to reinstall the headliner?
The door moldings use special clips to stay on...but you can get clips like the kind that hold your door panels on cheaper, and work them into the slots on the molding. They hold just the same.
Got a question on installing the headliner- after having read the tech article and the thread, I'm under the impression that the backing for the liner is a fiberglass shell for T-tops, correct? When I removed mine (and I've got a standard hardtop- no T-top) I didn't find a fiberglass 'shell' backing as what's apparently described in the tech article, but a pressed, pre-formed board, looks like layers of yellow fiberglass mashed together like heavy cardboard. Can this board be reused or do I have to use a new board for this? It seems to be in pretty good shape, but in some areas along the edge the fiber 'layers' have seperated- or in removing the liner itself it's pulled off the top layer of the liner where the glue was still adhering. I can post pics if it'll help....
When I redid my headliner, it was in bad shape. I used a foam like material to reupholster it and it hides the flaws. So, I guess I'd have to say depends on material used. Also if it's around the edges wouldn't the trim pieces cover the edges?
Good luck, hope this helps!
__________________ Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.
That's exactly what all stock headliner boards are, pre-formed fiberglass. You can get aftermarket ABS plastic ones, though, if you wanted too. The board is probably in good shape. As per the thread listed above, use fiberglass patches to repair anything that is seperating, using the Fast Tack glue to hold it in place.
Number one rule: take your time. This is a two-three day project.
Are you sure ALL of them were glass?, the one in my 83 sort of evaporated into thin air after it got wet. I found a parts car that had a glass one in it and used that one, but, I think the ABS one would work the best. The thickness of the glass (and I have to believe this was after-market) makes for some fitment problems with the seatbelts.
It is possible that the fiberglass backing I have is aftermarket-or at least not the original- as I had had the headliner material replaced/reglued about 8-9 years ago by a upholstery shop. Held up just fine until last summer when I noticed that it had started seperating again. If the uphostery shop replaced the backing then I don't know what was originally there- I'm assuming they didn't. If so then I marvel at how they were able to remove the original liner without tearing out little strips here and there.
What exactly is this fiberglass patch? I assume it's not the standard fiberglass cloth and 2-part resin that you would use for bodywork? I think that's the confusing thing about this- the fiberglass I'm used to working with is the resin and 'glass cloth type....
anything over 100.00 better be worth it. 
Also you don't have to DIY.
