Interior Discussion about interior restoration, repairs, and modifications.

T-top headliner opinion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-12-2010, 02:34 PM
  #1  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
 
86blackiroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: West Jefferson, OH
Posts: 1,280
Received 38 Likes on 31 Posts
Car: basic third gens
Engine: that I like
Transmission: to restore
Axle/Gears: and enjoy
T-top headliner opinion

I actually managed to remove the original headliner from my '85 and it kinda stayed in one piece. There was a few broken spots, and one side of the center t-top area was soft and puffy. I removed the material and cleaned all the old foam off, then I "patched" the headliner board back together with some aluminum duct tape. This is how it looks now:



Should I even attempt to recover this thing? I know I could do it, I'm just not sure how long it would hold up. Has anyone done one in similar condition and had long-lasting results?
Old 09-12-2010, 02:56 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (9)
 
84 1LE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oyth
Posts: 6,205
Received 322 Likes on 264 Posts
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: T-top headliner opinion

It looks pretty sturdy still.
I redid mine years ago with 3M adhesive spray & headliner material i pirchased at a upholstery shop.A little faded now, but still holding after all these years.

Old 09-12-2010, 04:04 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
 
86blackiroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: West Jefferson, OH
Posts: 1,280
Received 38 Likes on 31 Posts
Car: basic third gens
Engine: that I like
Transmission: to restore
Axle/Gears: and enjoy
Re: T-top headliner opinion

What company are those t-tops? My old C&C tops didn't look like that at all.
Old 09-12-2010, 04:58 PM
  #4  
Senior Member

 
Awesome-X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Bloomfield, IN
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 87 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Re: T-top headliner opinion

Yeah my stock ones look nothing like that. I think those clamps might be there to hold in the top shades? I need to make a set of those..

You did an A1 job on your headliner 1LE, any advice to make things go a little smoother?

86 black, I think I'd fiberglass that a little to give it a bit more strength
Old 09-12-2010, 06:00 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
camaronewbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: T-top headliner opinion

Originally Posted by Awesome-X
86 black, I think I'd fiberglass that a little to give it a bit more strength
I plan on redoing my again soon, and I'm gonna glass it up on the roof side to add strength to it.
Old 09-12-2010, 06:07 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (9)
 
84 1LE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oyth
Posts: 6,205
Received 322 Likes on 264 Posts
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: T-top headliner opinion

Originally Posted by 86blackiroc
What company are those t-tops? My old C&C tops didn't look like that at all.
They are C&Cs also.The clamp in the rear is for a vent feature.The glass will lift & separate from the seal.They use a tube frame(visible in the pic) to support the t-top.In the center you can see two metal tabs, that support the frame.The tabs insert to metal brackets welded to the center bar.

For the C&C headliner.One thing i did was the cut the material well past the ends.This allows the plastic trim plenty of "bite" & keeps the material from slipping out.Another added benefit was some creeks/groans vanished.

For the t-top edges I tucked the material up/over & into a channel the weather strip goes in.Originally C&C used a bulky rubber strip & the liner was barely cut up to the rubber strip.I got rid of the rubber strip for a much cleaner look.

In the OH openings i also cut the material long & rolled it up/over the top side of the OEM board.Id seen many(mine included)headliners.Just cut to the OH edges.Over time the material sagged & slipped ou of place.Causing more sag.To this day my liner has not delaminated or sagged.Its about 15 yrs old.

For smaller cuts, like the visor hinges/screws.I only made slits, basically the smaller the cut the better.Less chance for the headliner material to slip out of place over time.

As for the t-top shades.They are home made & i re-did the visors sometime between the headliner & the shades.

Last edited by 84 1LE; 09-12-2010 at 06:15 PM.
Old 09-12-2010, 07:49 PM
  #7  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
 
86blackiroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: West Jefferson, OH
Posts: 1,280
Received 38 Likes on 31 Posts
Car: basic third gens
Engine: that I like
Transmission: to restore
Axle/Gears: and enjoy
Re: T-top headliner opinion

1LE, that's pretty cool, Ive never seen those specific tops before. Did you buy the car new?

Originally Posted by Awesome-X
86 black, I think I'd fiberglass that a little to give it a bit more strength
Could you explain the process? I don't think I've seen that done on a headliner board before, I've only recovered them, that's it.
Old 09-12-2010, 09:16 PM
  #8  
Senior Member

 
Awesome-X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Bloomfield, IN
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 87 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Re: T-top headliner opinion

I couldn't really explain it, you might do a search there are several threads on it.
Old 09-12-2010, 09:17 PM
  #9  
Member

 
gotabekidding's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Tickfaw, LA
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 & 88 GTA, 89 Formy, 89 bird
Engine: 3 - 350 TPI, 305 TBI
Transmission: All 700R4's
Axle/Gears: unknown
Re: T-top headliner opinion

Your board looks in pretty good shape, especially for the year.

Fiberglassing to reinforce it is a plus, especially around the t-top areas.

My headliner was not as fortunate as yours,
I went with a ABS board and will never go back to factory boards for myself.
Old 09-12-2010, 10:34 PM
  #10  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (9)
 
84 1LE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oyth
Posts: 6,205
Received 322 Likes on 264 Posts
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: T-top headliner opinion

[QUOTE=86blackiroc;4671044]1LE, that's pretty cool, Ive never seen those specific tops before. Did you buy the car new?QUOTE]

I bought it used in 1988.
Old 09-12-2010, 11:31 PM
  #11  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
 
86blackiroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: West Jefferson, OH
Posts: 1,280
Received 38 Likes on 31 Posts
Car: basic third gens
Engine: that I like
Transmission: to restore
Axle/Gears: and enjoy
Re: T-top headliner opinion

After search, looks like a coat of resin would be a good idea, thanks! Looks easy enough too.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pac J
Tech / General Engine
3
05-17-2020 10:44 AM
LiquidBlue
Wheels and Tires
32
12-10-2019 04:06 PM
Jorlain
Exterior Parts Wanted
8
06-29-2017 11:04 PM
Thirdgen89GTA
NW Indiana and South Chicago Suburb
4
11-26-2015 11:04 PM
formula00ra
Interior Parts Wanted
1
09-28-2015 11:50 AM



Quick Reply: T-top headliner opinion



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:37 PM.