I was wondering after you recover your headliner does it still feel soft when you touch it. Or do you end up scrubbing all that stuff off so the new material can stick. I was wondering because I might buy a used headliner and I was planning on recovering it and making it black and I still want it to feel soft. Thanks.

Mike

 

If you are going to do this, then get the material from Pep Boys. They have cloth adhered to foam that is similar in feel to the original headliner material. They have it in most of the basic colors. I haven't tried it myself, but it seems like the best material to use if you're going to do this. Just make sure to remove all the old foam otherwise it won't adhere. Also, be careful with the board itself, bc it is very flimsy and might break. I recently installed the aftermarket headliner in my car and am very pleased with it. IMO that's the way to go.

 

Thanks for the tip on Pep Boys. I think I will go check that out tommorow or something. Maybe I shouldnt get that other headliner then if I am just going to rip all the foam up. Eventually I will get an aftermarket headliner and buy a complete set that includes the sail panels and visors.

Mike

 

Yup... definitely go with new material. When you take the old stuff off, chances are most all of the foam will be stuck to the headliner backing.... be sure to clean all of that off before putting the new stuff on. You can also get headliner material at pice goods stores (sewing/crafts/fabrics)... I just bought enough to redo my headline (t-top) and it cost me about $9. Look for material that has the foam backing so you get that niiice soft feel.

 

i searched high and low for the proper material around here - eventually called an upholstery shop and they said they use a heavy fleece material available at a local fabric store. i picked up a bunch and tried it out. no adhesive bleeding, looks like stock, still feels soft, and no foam to deteriorate so i have to do it again in a couple of years.

 

hey cargasm, did the material you get for $9 have foam backing? I went to pepboys today and they want $30 for material for the headliner I think I will call local fabric and upholstery shops tommorow.

Mike

 

This question is related. Any suggestions on how to remove the A pillars so that the headliner can be removed?

JamesC

 

JamesC - do you have t-tops or no? As far as the t-tops go, remove the tops. The molding is help on with screws. One screw at the top of the A molding piece, near where the t-top pins go in. Unscrew that and carefully lift the molding out (be careful - it has those Christmas tree clips that break easily). The back piece of molding is held in with two screws - one where the t-top pin goes in, and one at the bottom in the door jam.

I'm certain there are technical articles on replacing the t-top. They might have pictures, too.

 

Coupe.

JamesC

 

anybody know how much fabric i will need to recover the headliner, visors, and sail panels? just wanted to know even though i will probably end up measuring it anyway.

Mike

 

do you guys think 54" WIDE X 9 FT LENGTH will be enough?

Mike

 

Regarding Pep Boys, I don't know about their cloth (mine was $16 for 55"x 2.5 yards from a local headliner shoppe), but they glue they sold me was terrible, and turned my headliner into a circus big top. Make sure to get the good 3m stuff.

 

Yup, had the foam backing. I bought it at a piece goods store (fabrics, sewing patterns, etc. Had to stand in line with a bunch of grannies and one hotty. I couldn't get an exact color match, but no big deal... the headliner is only a few shades darker gray than it was before. And absolutely be sure to use the 3M adhesive... better yet, call an upholstery shop and ask what their reccomendation would be... they should steer you right.

 

Oh, and Pep Boys sucks a**.