Hey all! I recently decided to re-cover some of my interior panels in my 86. It wasn't terrible, but the headliner was sagging, and had some holes in it from critter damage. The fiberboard was in reasonable shape, but ended up needing some fiberglass repair. The T-Top shades were saggy also.

I went into this knowing that it wasn't going to be perfect. If I had to do it again, I could get it better, but as you all know, learning as you go comes with its consequences and hindsights.

I took video of all the repairs. They're fairly lengthy. And I also took a results video. While my results weren't perfect, I hope they will encourage you guys to try some of this on your own! And, by watching my mistakes, be better prepared for the project! Not to mention save some money!

The only thing I have left to do, is get my sun visors re-covered. I could probably manage it, but I just don't have time. And its cheap enough to get done locally. And...if I decide to re-do my sail panels, I will. But for now...Im ok with what I got!

T-Top Headliner Repair and Recover Part 1

T-Top Headliner Repair and Recover Part 2

T-Top Shade Recover

Sail Panel Recover

Results Video!

Let me know if you have any questions or comments!

Justin

 

Thanks for posting! As someone who redid his interior, I can appreciate the effort put in! Sunshades didn't come with my car but I borrowed a set to make a template so I'm going to use your video when I cover them with fabric.

Anyone ever make their own set? I'm looking for suggestions on what type of material to use for the boards. I can use heavy cardboard but my t-tops do leak in really heavy rain so I'm looking for other options.

 

Mine came with them, but didn't have them with the car when I bought the car 2nd hand. I bought a set right after I got the car and checked all the option codes and realized they were missing, so I bought them from the dealer. Not sure what the material is, but I'd try to find something like that plastic corregated material.

They are coated with thin foam padding, and cloth is glued to the foam, and it is stitch around the border (if anyone wants to try to make some. They velco to the panels and are just a little larger than the openings.

My shades are sagging like the liner, but you can't get repros like the rest of the interior parts, so I'll have to attempt to redo it myself or pay someone to restore mine.

 

The video shows the bare board and what I had to do to clean it...so you can get an idea of what its made of.

The foam is probably the same foam that backs the headliner material from the factory. On my shades, the material separated from the foam, but the foam hadn't deteriorated like the foam on the headliner. Making it a bit challenging to get off.

The board itself is a heavy cardboard. Its almost like thin pressboard. If I were to make these from scratch, and I almost did, I would use ABS. Go on Amazon, and look at their ABS sheets. Some 1/8" thick material would do it. Very cheap. HOWEVER, you wont be able to sew the edges. So you'll have to get creative to make a nice finished look if covering with fabric. You could wrap the edges if you wanted. Also a word of warning, sometimes those sheets come in a bit warped. And its difficult to flatten them out. Shouldnt be an issue once you attach with some velcro squares like the factory ones.

If you have any questions let me know!

Justin

 

Thanks for sharing the videos.

 

I knew I'd seen an ad for these...just took a few minutes to find it. Unfortunately, no photos of the parts they are selling. Mine were missing from the car, so I thought these might get me close.

 

Keep em coming

 

Hey Dave,I bought a set from 1A,http://www.1aauto.com/1982-92-t-top-...=336514&y=1986
Comes with the Velcro tabs also

 

Nice video for the Headliner,I wish I saw this earlier,I just ruined a roll of Carmine Headliner Material,TODAY.I cut the material short at the inside corners on the front end.I had to order another kit from 1A and start all over again

 

I do need to get these. I went through the RPOs once, and thought the car came with them? Was there an RPO for them?

What does the Velcro tab do? I've never actually laid my eyes on a set of these. Have no idea how they install.

 

thanks for the videos bud!

 

RPO Code DE4.the Velcro allows the sunshade to stay intact when you remove the tops,the originals had Velcro.

 

Thanks mantaguy.

My SPID label does have DE4.

So there is a patch of Velcro on the glass, and that holds the cover in place on the glass when you remove it?

 

Yes. One edge of the shade slips into the plastic area of the t-top latch/side. The other end has two little squares of velcro. Ide say about .75-1" square. Doesnt take much.

When the tops are in, the shade is slightly bigger than the t-top opening for the headliner. So it rests on all 4 sides.

When you remove the tops, the velcro holds it in place. You leave them on when you sto the t-tops in the bag. Works quite well.

J.

 

Thanks guys. I learn something new everyday on this forum.