Looks like it's time for a new headliner in my 91 Corvette. Since my car is no longer stock and not going back. I would like to go with leather and not that cheap stuff GM used in the C4's . Has anyone done this already to their car? I have seen one car where the owner had his visor done in leather with stitching to match the exterior and had the factory mirror re-installed. So I thought if you can do the visors in beautiful leather why not the cars headliner.

 

I'd like to see some nice leather headliners too

 

Headliners are super easy on Corvettes -- compared to other cars. Unbolt the perimeter frame, remove the old cloth, and (spray) glue your new one. The trick with leather (which has been done, requires great care to make sure you don't crease/bubble the leather during installation. I'm sure the more hands on deck -- to hold/stretch the leather the better. Over the years, I've seen stamped logos, images, and even sewn collages under our roofs. Do whatever moves ya.

I suppose I would also add that leather is going to be heavier and more prone to droop/failure if you don't do all your homework before proceeding. For example, IIRC, you might need a "sandwich" mid-layer to make sure heat radiation (through the roof panel) doesn't adversely affect the leather. I can't remember if there's one already there....probably but it's been 10 years since I redid mine. I don't think I considered leather until I was already done. Plus, few look at the roof! LOL

Ok...fair disclosure. I bought a see-through roof right after redoing the headliner. That top hasn't been on the car in years & years. Seeing the sky beats looking at leather. Plus, clear roofs provide an additional 1" headroom!

 

I had this done several years ago and have been quite happy with the results. I had it custom made and installed at an auto upholstery shop. It is patterned after the headliner in the 2017 3LT interior that has an approx 1.5" diamond pattern. Some folks like it and some do not. For me the really important thing is that I like it very much.

 

Unbolt what perimeter frame? You don't unbolt anything

 

Guess I'm dreaming after, ugggghhhh, 13 years of having a new headliner. LOL Probably did mine in 2006-7. I was thinking I pulled off all/part of that black frame that hangs underneath my roof. But maybe you just "shove" the material underneath it? If the later, I apologize for being misleading.

Obviously a great pic to demonstrate what can be done!

 

the material doesn't go underneath it

 

I did exactly what Gregg describes. You pull all the old cloth and cardboard out and cut a piece of new material so it can be tucked under the outer frame rail all the way around and then just glue it right to the roof. You get more headroom and it is an nice clean finished look over the factory.

Cruisinfanatic is describing the factory install with a material covered fiber board. And, he is correct, it does not tuck under the outer frame.

It is all a mater of how you want to fix it.

 

I believe that GM used the material they did for sound reasons due to the delco bose radio. The stereo sounds much different with the clear roof panel. More tinny sounding. They could have used a lot less than what they did. Most cars that used the cardboard headliners had a very thin layer of foam insulation and then vinyl like my 77 Trans Am. The worse thing you could do for these cars from the time period was using things like STP Son of a Gun or Armor All spray protectant. The oily spray would soak into the perforated holes in the vinyl and attack the glue. I was storing my top inside the house and covered. I reinstalled on the car when I had the paint correction done. Before putting it on the car I vacuumed it good and I think that did it in. That and the previous owner left it sitting in the car holder for most of the time. Your not even supposed to leave the tinted top in it's storage area as intense heat may cause warpage. I like that diamond pleat look. I would like something a bit larger and with the cars turquoise color in the trim. Another consideration for using the top is when it gets really hot and you are sitting still in traffic the AC works less affective. The LT5 engine makes enough heat on it's own. But factor in the tinted top on a day of 90 degree heat and it's like being in a fish bowl.

 

I did my roof with a foam backed microsuede. Same procedure as others said, cut to size, spray glue, and then tuck.

 

One interesting thing that I learned from my experience was that the "larger" the diamond pattern the less stitching is involved and thus a "relatively" lower labor cost. I preferred the smaller pattern although in the poor picture I posted it does look like a larger pattern than it really is.

 

I was thinking of something in a bit larger pattern myself. Unfortunately no luck yet. The first place I called that was around 30 minutes from me and seemed ok the owner said he wouldn't do leather as he can't get them to stay glued. Which I'm glad he told me that. That gives me no confidence in his skills with doing a leather headliner.

 

Looks great Thanks for posting the pic.