OK, I got this really nifty idea. My factory T-top board is still in good shape, but is starting to show it's age...mostly in the fabric. Do you guys think I could carefully remove the old headliner material, put several coats carefully on the board with fiberglass to stiffen it up, maybe a layer of fiberglass mat underneath, let it dry, then after it's all good to go (maybe minor sanding (?), cover it in headliner foam and then headliner material? I'm right now looking for less expensive ways to make my interior newer, since I already spent a bundle (black leather, new carpet, etc...)

The interior color is still Dark Carmine red for now...I'm considering swapping to dark grey or better yet black when I put a 4thgen dash and console in the new car.

 

I did that exact thing to my t-top interior board. It took a few days, but it worked ok, I guess.

DO NOT TRY TO SALVAGE YOUR HEADLINER MATERIAL, its frivelous. and the stuff is reletivly cheep.

The only problems I ever ran into was getting the headliner material to stay in the inside corners on the tops. It always wants to pull away. I had a friend that worked for the GM headliner place and they actually use a special kind of hot-glue. I got a few strips from him.

Also there are different grades of headliner material. Some is more stretchy than others. Get the stretchiest stuff you can find. (for obvious reasons)

Good luck

John

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87 Formula Yellow/Black

5.1 TPI Automatic
Baer 12" brakes 4 wheels, KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks & struts, Custom Leather interior, WAAAY TOO MANY MODS TO LIST

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

1967 Buick Riviera 430hp Turns high 14's (Not bad for 4300 lbs)

83 Camaro (Parts)
83 T/A (parts)

http://www.3rdgenformula.com

 

dh,

There’s an article on this site (https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/headlinerrepair.shtml) that follows your idea pretty closely. It’s not real clear, though based on the description does not sound difficult. The question is does it look like a professional job? Probably worth trying, but only if I could find a real close color and texture match for the fabric. I had a trim shop quote me $125 to do this job, about a year ago.

 

I'll take a look, I didn't know it existed...I plan on ordering the fabric from an F-body distributor along with matching sail panel fabric and sunvisors. That way it all looks right...there are no decent fabric stores around me that sell a variety of fabrics, so black would be my only alternative. For right now I think red will work, maybe I'll save the grey interior for another car...

 

Look in the yellow pages for a supplier under "auto interior", or just buy the material from an auto upholstery shop. Get the spray on adhesive from the supplier if you find one, otherwise get it from AutoZone or wherever.
And work from the center out when you apply the material.

 

I worked in an auto interior shop. You can cover your headliner, sailpanels, and visors with whatever fabric you like. I have seen really nice ones in upholstery fabric (light weight) I did one myself in a van in crushed velvet to match the seat covers I made. Use headliner glue; you can get it at a parts store or home repair store or walmart. Headliner glue withstands heat and won't fall down on you. Have the visors done at your local body shop (just take in a piece of your fabric) it should only cost you a couple dollars. If anyone you know can sew, they can cover the visors for you. If I had access to a scanner I could show you all some easy tricks and how to do the interior work.