Headliner?

Topic: Headliner? (Read 3871 times) previous topic - next topic

Headliner?

October 28, 2006, 12:00:30 AM

I have been reading older posts trying to find out what everyone has been doing to replace their 20 year old headliner and so far I haven't had any luck. Anyone know where I can get a new one for an 85 TC?

Headliner?

Reply #1 – October 28, 2006, 12:01:54 AM

you'll have to scrounge the s yard or have your recovered, its really not too hard to do yourself.

Headliner?

Reply #2 – October 28, 2006, 12:08:09 AM

To do it yourself you need to take down the cardboard like backing and then se all the old liner and foam off of it. Then get some headliner material from a upholstry shop and get some good 3m glue for it. Spary and tack the material down. Then let it setup atleast and hour then reinstall the panel and trim where you have to. Did mine like that 7yrs ago.

Headliner?

Reply #3 – October 28, 2006, 12:08:39 AM

Sounds like a dumb question but...what do I recover it with? I would like to keep the same look as what I have, just cleaner..

Headliner?

Reply #4 – October 28, 2006, 12:10:05 AM

I pulled mine out of the car myself,and the shop charged me $35.00 to re-cover it,then I re-installed it.It would've cost more if they had to remove and reinstal the headliner.Well worth it,and looks brand new.

Headliner?

Reply #5 – October 28, 2006, 12:11:56 AM

Just take your old material to a fabric or upholstery shop and they should be able to come up with something close. I just washed mine and stuck it back on.

Headliner?

Reply #6 – October 28, 2006, 12:12:30 AM

Cool, thanks guys..

Headliner?

Reply #7 – October 28, 2006, 08:51:29 AM

I've seen a headliner kit at Autozone before.Costs about $30.00.It has the razor to cut it,and the headliner material.For a couple of dollars more,have it done.I say have it done,because if you've never done it before,you can get wrinkles in it,and once the material is applied to the board,it's applied.You can't peel it back off and try agin.No matter which direction you take,good luck.A new headliner can really change how your interior looks.

Headliner?

Reply #8 – October 28, 2006, 09:48:07 AM

You can buy "kits" online as well
http://www.wlsheadliners.com/small-to-mid-sized-car-kit-p-5.html

Also, someplaces are substituting ABS plastic for the backer boards. (50Resto for example) and if you have a plastics supplier nearby, you can get a 4x8 sheet of 1/16" ABS for like $20. You will have to cut it to match the old one, but it can help if you have a damaged original.

It's a pretty easy job. The cleanup is a little messy, and you wannt to be sure you use enough adhesive. Only use the 3M stuff too.

Headliner?

Reply #9 – October 28, 2006, 10:32:01 AM

Also check out fabric stores. Around here, they carry headliner material that's a perfect match for something like $8/yard. For $16 plus the adhesive, you can put in a new headliner yourself.

Headliner?

Reply #10 – October 28, 2006, 10:54:26 AM

It also depends upon the color match that you want. If you're not too picky or are changing colors, then the fabric store solution is good. Otherwise I'd highly recommend having an upholstery shop do it for you. They will have a very wide range of colors that closely match what you've got. Some of our colors cannot be exactly matched so you may have to do some decision-making. I can say that there are a LOT of different reds and blues available. Greys and tans are also plentiful. Some of the 1983-84 colors (light wheat, light blue, etc.) may be very difficult to match now.

If you remove the cardboard backing and bring it to them, trust me, they'll cut you a break. The biggest problem is the sticky foamy stuff that will remain on the cardboard. It's nasty to remove...the upholstery shop that I go to uses a power sander to get that stuff off. You can probably do it yourself with some patience. It all has to come off before the new material will stick properly. Actual headliner material is a cloth or nylon fabric that's permanenetly attached to a synthetic foam backing.

If you do this yourself...to attach it to the cardboard, spray both the foam side and the cardboard with the spray adhesive (I recommend 3M Super 77) in small sections, and let them air dry for about half a minute. This tacks up the adhesive. Then put the sections together and you have a permanent bond.

Can you tell that I practically live at the upholstery shop?

Headliner?

Reply #11 – October 28, 2006, 11:02:37 AM

I got one out of the car that i got my front end parts of and its in way better shape than mine and he ran the piss out of his car and it was beat to hellbut the headliner was like new, yet mine is falling and as it falls it made a little scracth in it become a rip and it just keeps getting bigger.

is there any real reason some hold up better then others?

Headliner?

Reply #12 – October 28, 2006, 12:18:35 PM

Forget that 3m super 77 stuff. Get the 3m headliner glue it comes in a spray can. That super 77 stuff isn't for the headliner get the real stuff and be done with it.

Headliner?

Reply #13 – October 28, 2006, 01:01:30 PM

Quote

Forget that 3m super 77 stuff. Get the 3m headliner glue it comes in a spray can. That super 77 stuff isn't for the headliner get the real stuff and be done with it.

The difference is...?
After successfully using Super 77 for over 15 years, I'd love to know.

Headliner?

Reply #14 – October 28, 2006, 02:39:25 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;110389

Actual headliner material is a cloth or nylon fabric that's permanenetly attached to a synthetic foam backing