I have an '88 Trans Am w/ t-tops. The glue holding the fabric to the headliner is beginning to fail, and the fabric is peeling off. Any1 have experience w/ re-gluing the fabric? I was thinking about using 3M spray adhesive, but I don't know if that would be strong enough to handle the wind when driving w/ the t-tops out.

 

Permatex Headliner Glue has worked great for me. 3M makes a specific headliner glue as well. I'd use that over just Super77 or anything. They have higher heat ratings, and hold better. It may not seem like you'll need something rated for 170 degrees, but it can make a difference.

 

If it's the original headliner, then it's more likely that the headliner material's foam backing is disintegrating, leaving the face fabric looking like it's peeling off or sagging. The face is sagging because the foam backing has turned into a dirty brown fuzzy stuff. Rub or touch the stuff, and it will turn to powder on your fingers, so trying to reglue the face fabric to it will probably make a mess. You'll need to remove the headliner, brush off all of that disintegrating foam, then recover the headliner with new material.

There are videos on YT that show how to do it. Most are probably hacks, as you'll quickly see, so look through them to find a decent one. Or remove the headliner, hopefully it's salvageable because it will be better than an ABS replacement, and take it to an upholstery shop.

 

I used 3M Adhesive worked well.

 

Because the glue has deteriorated so much that the liner has separated from the backing, u need to replace the fabric, remove the old glue & reinstall the fabric using 3M glue. Check youtube from directions.

 

The original and correct replacement fabric, is bonded to an approx. 3/16" layer of foam rubber, that is glued to the cardboard headliner backing. Over time the foam turns to dust, just about, and the fabric drops.

To do the job RIGHT, the headliner cardboard/fabric assembly must be removed. Pull the fabric off and with a stiff brush, remove all the rotted foam. Get the "High Temp" rated aerosol spray contact adhesive, 1 can. Obtain the correct headliner fabric or vinyl, as was original. Some fabric stores stock Automotive headliner fabric", or get it from a auto parts supplier. Spray the cardboard as directed on the can, wait as specified on the can, and carefully lay the fabric in place,, avoiding wrinkles. With contact cement, it will stick pretty much, on contact, so be careful. Let it dry (overnight IMO) and trim the fabric as was the original. Then reinstall the headliner.

 

Thanks for the info! This sounds like a bigger job than I thought. For now, I'm thinking a little 3M Super 77 around the edges might help me limp it along for the rest the summer. Once I take the car off the road for winter, I'll tear it apart and do it correctly.

 

be sure to use the right glue - you want to save your factory headliner if you can. aftermarkets are more difficult fit from what is written around here

 

"Liquidblue" when you say "save your factory headliner" I presume you are referring to the fiberboard substrate, not fabric/vinyl, ? For the OP's benefit.

 

^^^^ ya, thanks for the clarification. but I did save some of my factory fabric, its just hard for me to let go of some things......

 

I ended up taking the headliner to an upholstery shop in Flint, MI. They did a really nice job!

 

The fabric is made with a foam backing and the foam deteriorates. Fairly easy to replace, the hardest part is removing the headliner cardboard backing out of the car. Once you get the perimeter trim removed it comes right out.

You need a kit something like this:

Headliner Kits (yourautotrim.com)

 

Hawks third gen sells an ABS plastic headliner board. It’s a pain to get in, sort of, but I used it. You could leave the fabric off and it still looks decent. But like all others have said permatex glue is the best to get it to stick. I had bad luck with 3M and that plastic liner for some reason. I’m not a professional so I could’ve been wrong somewhere in the application