When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm not experienced at interior work.
I have noticed that the headliner in my '66 is kinda hanging down. I'm 5'-11" and with the seat all the way back it's touching my head.
I can push it up an inch or two - up to where it is against the roof.
I am assuming that the headliner should be glued (?) to the roof somehow, and mine must have gradually become unstuck and now I've finally noticed it.
Upon further inspection, I notice that along the top of each door, there is maybe 10" where it's pulled out from the trim.
It's not really super noticeable. But, I think I need to try to fix it before it gets worse.
QUESTIONS:
1) It is supposed to be "glued" to the roof, correct? (not hanging down)
2) Is this fix simple enough for somebody with no experience doing interior work to pull off?
Because no one has answered yet! I have worked with a 67 head liner. Here's what I know:
Liner needs to be removed, unscrew surounding interior trim (ALL) and rear view mirror and possibly the visors. (Might be a good time to repaint the trim pieces) With my removal, I did nor remove the rear trim. I just loosened it.
Purchase 2 trim clips that go over the doors on those trim pcs. You very well might break one or both clips removing the side trim sections. notice where the side trim clips are positioned. you might see marks where they set prior to removal.
Drop the liner down from the front and pull out of the back loosened trim.
I would probabely pull back the drooping liner from the headliner structure (backing) and spray 3m adhesive to the areas that have loosened. Never did this before!!!!!and no, you do not glue to the roof!!!
I marked the center of the liner with the center of the roof just above the windshield and centered a mark over the courtesy light that helped me to position the repaired liner back into position. Beleive me, get it centered!!!!
Replace trim....be patient, the trim can be problematic when replacing.
PM me if you need some moral support. I would sign up for a case of 10% Alcohol BeachBoys Kokamo Gin Selters prior to starting that project.... (Excitations) Drink a few of those and you will not give a------ where the roof center line is!!!
My '66 is on it's fourth headliner. All three have had the vinyl separate from the hard-shelled backing. My attempts at gluing the vinyl back were unsuccessful. I replaced it with a Corvette America headliner from Willcox Corvette and it lasted for less than three months, it separated again. Willcox sent me a replacement at no charge. That one lasted four months before it started coming apart. I have since purchased an Al Knoch part, getting ready to install it in the next few weeks, provided it hasn't separated from simply sitting in the box! It slips in just as stated above, the only thing that I will add is that I had to use the first headliner as a template to know where to cut a small section of the left and right sides of the headliner to provided clearance for those side trim clips. You can also help steady it for fitment by using painters tape to the outside of the roof (in addition to steadying it with your head as I have done).
Well, thank you guys for the input. I will definitely save all these tips in my notes.
Now, I'm going to make this all much stupider.
I'm the guy who retired and moved to Portugal and took his midyear with him. Point of that is to get a new headliner here, I'd have to have it shipped across the Atlantic which probably costs as much as the headliner. Then, I'll have to pay ~25% "import tax" on the invoice + shipping.
Sooooo, sounds like I'll be trying to use what I have and get a new vinyl piece glued to it or reglue the existing one.
I will likely do the removal and reinstall myself, but try to find a highly regarded car interior shop and get them to do the gluing. Maybe they have new black vinyl and maybe they have some really good glue.
I think I have to try that before paying 2.25x for a new headliner.
I'm getting ready to replace the headliner in my '65. I plan to order some of the trim screws as well as a couple of clips just in case I lose some or the side clips break. The replacement headliner came from Al Knoch's and they told me to definitely use several blobs (my term) of the red Hi Temp RTV silicone on the roof as the adhesive.
Good luck with yours.
I'm getting ready to replace the headliner in my '65. I plan to order some of the trim screws as well as a couple of clips just in case I lose some or the side clips break. The replacement headliner came from Al Knoch's and they told me to definitely use several blobs (my term) of the red Hi Temp RTV silicone on the roof as the adhesive.
Good luck with yours.
we have a three year old headliner from Al Knoch and it is holding up well. Had to trim about 3/4 inch of the front left and tapered to zero trimming about 2/3rds of the way back. No glue holding it up to the roof and it has not been an issue. there was no glue for the original either.
Our original headliner had separated because the thin layer of foam between the vinyl and fiber backer had disintegrated. The vinyl had also thinned to the point it could not have been glued up since the glue would come through.
An upholstery shop should have no trouble putting new foam, and new vinyl on the original fiber backer. Glue that can handle high temps is key, and you may want to air the headliner out for a while before installing it since the glue can have a very strong odor.
I'm getting ready to replace the headliner in my '65. I plan to order some of the trim screws as well as a couple of clips just in case I lose some or the side clips break. The replacement headliner came from Al Knoch's and they told me to definitely use several blobs (my term) of the red Hi Temp RTV silicone on the roof as the adhesive.
Good luck with yours.
The 1965 headliner is different from the 1966 and is a hard one piece unit that does not have the problem that the 66s do. In fact if I had a 1966 coupe that needed a headliner I would buy a 65 headliner unless I was planning to have it NCRS judged.
DiabolicalDave, maybe you might want to do what I did. I had a local upholstery shop make me a headliner - tuck and roll - that was 45 yrs ago and it's still in place. Here's a shot of what it looks like. Just a thought.
headliner
