REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

The headliner in my T/A (27000 miles) with t-tops has a few sag areas. The cover appears to like new.
What I want to do -
1) remove the headliner panel
2) carefully remove the cover from the panel
3) remove the old glue from actual panel surface & the cover.
4) Then apply 3M contact adhesive & reinstall the original cover.

Anyone performed this procedure?

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Chances of being successful in that endeavor are slim and none.
Don't waste time and effort. Take it to a reputable upholstery shop and have them put new material on the headliner card.
The material usually comes with the foam already affixed to the cloth,

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

[QUOTE=72buickgs;6522894]The headliner in my T/A (27000 miles) with t-tops has a few sag areas. The cover appears to like new.
What I want to do -
1) remove the headliner panel
2) carefully remove the cover from the panel
3) remove the old glue from actual panel surface & the cover.
4) Then apply 3M contact adhesive & reinstall the original cover.

Anyone performed this procedure?[/
I did mine and it came out pretty good,But I highly recommend you use new fabric and trace your old fabric onto the new one.I got my fabric from Classic They shipped it rolled in a lg box ,not folded.Good Luck with your project.PS when you remove the old fabric from the headboard the foam is most likely going to be disintegrated

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Just did this in my 92 with t tops....best with new material... Once the foam degrades, it just crumbles and no glue will really work. Trying to glue crumbly foam often doesn't work.

I got my material from third Gen ranch.... Also came rolled...

Cutting and gluing the inside corners of the t top area is a real challenge.... Had to do it twice...

I cleaned off the old foam with a stiff brush and then fixed the fiberglass with fiberglass and resin... Much stiffer....

I originally thought I could save my original material... Once I started to remove it, it disintegrated..... Just saying....

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

I hate to say it, but your chances of success are even slimmer than the previously mentioned "slim to none."

The fabric won't be reusable once you strip it off of the headliner board. What hasn't disintegrated yet, will as you remove it. You're more likely to damage the headliner board than you are to salvage the fabric.

The fabric and the foam are made as ONE. The residue you'll see is the old, disintegrated foam that remains stuck to the headliner board. After removing whatever comes off, then use a stiff brush to brush off the residue to make the surface relatively smooth.

This really isn't one of those times where people are guessing what might happen lol, so you might consider having new fabric on hand before you begin. And maybe something to repair any damage to the headliner board.

If you stick to your original plan, and it's somehow successful, then you should be playing high-roller, top-dollar games in Vegas! At least the state lottery!

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Original fabric will absolutely be destroyed when it's removed. If it's sagging, it's already destroyed so there's no saving it.

The glue you want is 3M Headliner Adhesive, other glues will not last. I got Acme Auto brand headliner material from Classic Industries and was pleased with the quality.

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

I redid my hardtop a few years ago. I cleaned the old foam and crap off the substrate with a soft nylon brush attachment for the shop vac, that worked great and there was no mess. Once it was clean I flipped it over and cut some fiberglass mat to reinforce the corners and weak spots. Mixed up about a quart of 2 part epoxy and went to town on the whole thing. Let it cure for a week or so and it was hard as a rock. Took the whole roll of headliner material and cut it well oversize, folded it in half, sprayed both the backside and substrate, waited 15m and carefully smoothed it down. Same thing on the other half. Took three of us to ensure nothing bad happened. Once that was done we flipped it over, trimmed it and folded over the edge at the front. Wasn't easy but the results were well worth it.

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Make sure you or your chosen shop uses the thinner foam. A lot of places use the foam thats waaay to thick then it just looks wrong.

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

I just did this to my Camaro last month. I didn’t go back with original fabric but I bought diamond stitched fabric with foam backing and did my headliner and door panels. Cost $80 for the fabric and spray adhesive. Wasn’t hard at all, just gotta be careful not to break anything in half when removing and the old foam is pretty much dust and “easy” to clean. Took me around 4 hours for uninstalling everything, reupholstering and reinstalling. But I already had all of the interior trim pulled out. I suggest having a second person with you to help hold the headliner when removing and reinstalling.

Edit: my old liner came off in pieces even being careful, so I don’t know if you’ll be able to reuse anything.

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Tony, I don't suppose you would happen to know what thickness the factory stuff was? I'm shopping for new material for mine, and there are quite a few options it seems. I was going to err on the thinned side, figuring it would be easier to get it to follow contours, make bends, and fold over the edges.

"3/16inch High-elastic Soft Polyurethane Foam Material", "Thickness: 1/8inch(3mm)", "Thickness 3mm (1/8")", "Backing
1/8" Thick Foam", a couple that don't advertise their thickness, and a few that don't have the foam attached and I'd have to add my own.

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Def doable, ive done similar before and edges on my firebird. I always say, try it first for cheap then pay if it doesnt come out right.

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Id have to go to shop that did mine. Some craft shops have the correct material, black/gray and thickness in stock. Joann fabrics ect

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

My Local JoAnne Fabrics used to carry it, but they have not stocked it in several years. Getting to be too may years ago that cars used this product I guess.

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

Anyone use the headliners from Hawks? I was going to buy the kit but it sounds like most people are doing it themselves...

Re: REglue Sagging Headliner 1984 Trans AM
 

moved to new thread