So whats the cheapest way to replace a headliner on a hard top? Upholstery shop, Hawks, somewhere else?

I cant take the fabric and make it myself but i certainly can remove and reinstall it as a whole.

 

I put new fabric on my hardtop headliner. It took an afternoon or so, it wasn't hard at all and the fabric was inexpensive.

Once you get the old one out, you carefully brush the old foam off the fiber board. Then lay the new fabric over the board, trim it to a couple inches all the way around, maybe 6 inches or so. Then fold half the fabric back, spray adhesive on the board and the fabric. Wait the time indicated on the adhesive, then slowly work from the fold to the edge with your hands or something like a plastic filler spreader from the backside of the fold. Once you get all the way to the outside on one side repeat on the other. Once it is all attached you flip it over and trim to about 1-2" of the edge and fold it over to the back side. Then cut your holes for the visors, dome light and seat belts.

Between the fabric and the can of adhesive you're looking at maybe $40?

 

yeah that would be the cheapest way. id rather let a professional do it. So i guess im looking for the second cheapest way. lol

 

The cheapest way, if you're doing the R&R is to buy the so-so ABS replacement version that's already covered. Any other version isn't going to be "cheap" at all.

IMO if you can remove and replace you can recover it. It is not difficult and you get the feeling of pride of doing it yourself, it's not rocket surgery. There is really nothing to screw up

I see your info says "jersey shore", I'll recover yours for $150, I am in the Trenton area

 

I've gone both ways (lol) with each of my cars. I've purchased and installed one from Hawks and had a local guy reapply fabric over my old one (foam was still good). Both about the same price, both look good but if I had the skill set to apply the fabric I'm sure I would have saved some cash.

 

I did myself,turned out good(strictly my opinion)
In other words its not difficult,just have a helper and take your time

 

Find a good shop to re-do the original if you can, the ABS reproduction comes rolled up and fit is dicey at best (especially for T-tops according to the forum). I had a boat place that also does auto and for around $300-350 if memory serves, later on I even had the sail panels and visors done to match and they turned out great. The guy even got very close to the factory grey color. Also the guy reinforced my original with some type of fiberglass around the dog ears (seat belt area) so be careful when removing from the car. On a side note a previous owner tried "fixing" the headliner when it fell and it looked like he simply sprayed adhesive on there...looked like crap and fell again.

 

I put a repro ABS headliner in my hardtop (no T-tops) at least ten years ago. Installation was not difficult and it still looks and fits great.

 

What company?

 

Classic Camaro. Headliner was folded in half, but straightened out fine. When I ordered it, they told me to unpack it right away and let it stretch out, which I did. No crease, no wrinkles.

I have replaced the headliner cover material on a 77 Camaro (twice) and a 78 El Camino, and no longer enjoy the job. Wanted to make a more permanent fix to my 89.

 

Took out my ttop headliner and had a shop redo it for 100. They didn't put the cloth tape back in the corners though. Other than me doing that, it was worth it.

 

I have to do the same job soon. What material did you use? I'm doing the same color too. Thanks!

 

+ 1000000000000000000000000000000000 !

If your backing is good, it is the best fitting headliner that you will ever get. ABS is only good in 1 instance; when you don't have - or can't get - a fully intact original backing (or "core") to recover. I've personally seen at least a dozen installed ABS headliners, ( *never owned 1 ) they all looked pretty good cause' they are clean and new; but they ALL fit like crap. ( warped, bent, deformed, not wide enough, etc.... ) Just My . Last time I had 2 of them ( T-Top) done at the same time for $100 each..... I'm guessing probably a bit more than that today.