I purchased an ABS headliner when the restoration of the original failed and was very disappointed with the terrible fit. I got the idea to modify the ABS headliner by cutting it in half and extending it 3/8" just behind the dome light opening. I used fiberglass resin/cloth and two thin strips of metal riveted in place to make it one piece again. Sad I needed to cut up a $180 part but the ridiculously poor fit made it a no brainer.

 

I have to admit, that after I read your plan and saw the initial pictures, I wasn't optimistic that the project would turn out well. But it did. Nice job. Thank you for sharing. Not sure how many people are capable of doing what you did, I'm not, but at least you've shown a way.

Hard to believe ABS headliners could've been designed so poorly. I've read plenty of complaints about them, but have seen few pictures showing the issues. But, yeah, if they're off that much, then I can see why people have complained. Unfortunately, the product will never be changed/corrected.

Fortunately, my headliner board is still good. And I've salvaged a decent spare original board, in case mine ever becomes unusable. I'd prefer to replace with "new and nice," if that day ever comes, but since the ABS headliners aren't made as accurately as they should've been, then it will be refurbishment for me. At least, new headliner fabric, whatever is selected, will look and SMELL new.

 

Thank you..the fit is fantastic now and couldn't be more pleased. I read somewhere that the ABS headliners were originally forned from the "inside" of a t-top mould which means the piece will be to small for the roof.

 

Another "replacement part" that doesn't fit. What a surprise.
Great work re-engineering the headliner to make it work as it should have been designed.

 

If you had some scrap ABS around, too, you could patch it with that and acetone or MEK as glue if fiberglass wasn't an option. I may do this to mine when I take it out to recover it.

 

 

Nice work!

 

Fiberglass resin/cloth bonds well with ABS and is very easy to work with, but as an added measure I roughed up the repair area with 36 grit sandpaper to give it an extra tooth to bond to.

 

that came out very nice, thanks for the Idea. I may do this to mine as well as add some spacer foam for the unsupported center part that "sags"

 

I used velcro strips to hold up that area..the velcro strips held together great it was the adhesive that let go in the summer heat. So this time around I stapled the velcro strips and bent over the ends before re-covering the headliner.

 

Did you buy an uncovered headliner and cover it yourself after mods?

 

Yes

 

Looks great! I bought an ABS headliner for the 89 IROC that I restored a few months ago, and I was disappointed with the way that it fit along the rear panel that screws to the roof that holds the rear of the headliner up. I'd bet that if that one were extended like yours, it would have made that gap a LOT better. Nice work man!

 

I sent U a private message.

 

That looks much better, well done!