Pondering Headliner Replacement
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
Pondering Headliner Replacement
I have been putting off the replacement of the black headliner. I have done them in several other cars but not the vette.
But what is slowing me down is whether to try to remove the foam backing and risk breaking it. Or play it safe and just tuck in the edges best I can taking no risk.
If I had my choice of course I would much rather remove the foam and do it the right way. But if it broke it, I would be real upset and beat myself up pretty good.
Who has gone down this road – opinions.
But what is slowing me down is whether to try to remove the foam backing and risk breaking it. Or play it safe and just tuck in the edges best I can taking no risk.
If I had my choice of course I would much rather remove the foam and do it the right way. But if it broke it, I would be real upset and beat myself up pretty good.
Who has gone down this road – opinions.
Last edited by pcolt94; Mar 3, 2010 at 12:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
When I did mine I took the backing off, it was more of a fiber pad than pressboard or other material like I have seen on other cars and was pretty tough.
I used black vinyl (leather look) that had some stretch to it and it came out nice and was one of the simplest headliners I have done since it was reletively flat.
I used black vinyl (leather look) that had some stretch to it and it came out nice and was one of the simplest headliners I have done since it was reletively flat.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Greensburg Pa
I left my backing in when I replaced it. It didn't seem like it would come out easily or without damaging it. Anyway, it still turned out very good it just took some time to tape off the frame when spraying the glue and took about 20-30 minutes to tuck in the edges.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I left the backing, cut the headliner on three sides, re-glued the backing and rolled back the origional headliner and tucked under the frame.
Let us know what you decide. And pic's.
Let us know what you decide. And pic's.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
Pictures for sure.
Shopping around town for material. What is the correct thickness to look for. Or will more than one thickness be acceptable?
I guess I am partial to leaving the pad in there.
Shopping around town for material. What is the correct thickness to look for. Or will more than one thickness be acceptable?
I guess I am partial to leaving the pad in there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
I believe you'll have much better success if you remove the backing from the panel.
You'll to have to remove (scrape and rub) the old original contact cement from the backing for the new headliner to lay flat.
The relacement headliner material is available in the catalogs or eBay for cheap. Get some 3M spray contact cement and go to work.
On the difficulty scale, this ranks about a two, which is low for anything Corvette. And you'll be happy you did it.
You'll to have to remove (scrape and rub) the old original contact cement from the backing for the new headliner to lay flat.
The relacement headliner material is available in the catalogs or eBay for cheap. Get some 3M spray contact cement and go to work.
On the difficulty scale, this ranks about a two, which is low for anything Corvette. And you'll be happy you did it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 3
From: colchester CT
The targa top on my 86 is just bare fiberglass, no pad or material. There is velcro taped to it. Is this factory or monkey. I am thinking of going the Richard Newton route and getting some cork board or other thin but firm material and using the 3m spray to glue headliner material to it.. Then use the velcro tabs that are already on there, to attach it It has never bothered me but it should cut down on noise and heat if I put something in there. Should also look better. anyone try this?
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Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
I have had a hard time getting the cloth part to stick to the material that makes up the pad. The cloth had a thin layer of foam that has since disintegrated, I scraped it all off and used spray glue. Looked great for awhile then sagged again. I may have to remove the pad material, i don't know how anything could stick to it, its like matted hair or something.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
I just cleaned up the surface of the pad with a stiff paint brush. Go easy cause it will tear the surface. Then just spray adhesive. If you get some new OEM style material, it easy to tuck it under. I reused mine, it had just come loose, and used a semi sharp Exacto knife to tuck and trim. Turned out great.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: vero beach florida
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
I believe you'll have much better success if you remove the backing from the panel.
You'll to have to remove (scrape and rub) the old original contact cement from the backing for the new headliner to lay flat.
On the difficulty scale, this ranks about a two, which is low for anything Corvette. And you'll be happy you did it.
You'll to have to remove (scrape and rub) the old original contact cement from the backing for the new headliner to lay flat.
On the difficulty scale, this ranks about a two, which is low for anything Corvette. And you'll be happy you did it.
I am heading over to the chain, Jo-Ann Fabrics today.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Okay, so they bought the OEM style kit from zip and made the corvette emblem out of foam board. I don't think that it would be that hard, just a little time. Here is the article.
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...ent/index.html
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...ent/index.html
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Okay, so they bought the OEM style kit from zip and made the corvette emblem out of foam board. I don't think that it would be that hard, just a little time. Here is the article.
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...ent/index.html
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...ent/index.html
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
Bought the 1/8" headliner material and glue Friday. Old headliner material is out and repair is under way. Made the decision not to take the foam out after I tried again. I know I would have ruined the whole deal. Believe I made the right decision. Should be done by Sunday.
Stand by…..…
Stand by…..…
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
On the Road Again
First I cut out the old material leaving about an inch to hold on to.
No turning back now.
Using an exacto knife I pulled the material up and cut between the pad and material. Some places the material just pulled off the bottom of pad.
All material removed and cleaned up the surface in preparation.
Cut headliner material a bit bigger to get tucked in. I tucked in one side for reference and cut the rest. After the cutting I glued it down, then tucked it all in.
All finished with the installation.
Top installed and ready to go.
The job came out better than I thought. I should have done it years ago but did not think the tucking in thing was going to work so well and be that easy.
But I’m glad it's done now.
Last edited by pcolt94; Dec 3, 2017 at 08:12 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
My head liner is drooping and I would like to fix it, How do I go about regluing it? Is it really just tucked in under the frame, and I can just pull it out, reglue and then tuck back under?
Last edited by shawnpeebles; Mar 30, 2010 at 08:30 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
I pulled the backing pad off, scrapped the underside of the fiberglass clean
then wrapped the backing in material form the local fabric store and it looks as good as new.
Put adhesive onto the backing and pressed it on,,,, total cost was less than $25 if I recall correctly
then wrapped the backing in material form the local fabric store and it looks as good as new.
Put adhesive onto the backing and pressed it on,,,, total cost was less than $25 if I recall correctly
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Mine had turned so loose it just pulled out from under where ever it was tucked. Go ahead and get the really good trim adhesive, I bought 3M Heavy Duty Trim Adhesive and it was $10-12 a big can. It did a great job...Its kinda messy, you will want to mask off your frame for overspray when you spray along the edge of the insulation.