C5 Headliner Material
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
C5 Headliner Material
Alright, I looked but didn't see this anywhere. My 2002 C5 Coupe with 140K miles has had a drooping headliner for the past 60K miles or so. Hate driving the thing without a hat since the headliner hangs on my head. Finally cut the old stuff completely out and replaced with a 3/16ths foam-backed black headliner material purchased on E-Bay. Great solution in case anybody else has seen this. Again, not a major problem, but one that could have easily been avoided if GM used better materials.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,783
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Nice solution to an annoying problem. How about some pics?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Alright, I looked but didn't see this anywhere. My 2002 C5 Coupe with 140K miles has had a drooping headliner for the past 60K miles or so. Hate driving the thing without a hat since the headliner hangs on my head. Finally cut the old stuff completely out and replaced with a 3/16ths foam-backed black headliner material purchased on E-Bay. Great solution in case anybody else has seen this. Again, not a major problem, but one that could have easily been avoided if GM used better materials.
I carefully removed the headliner from the roof, removed as much of the original, failing adhesive from both surfaces, bought a roll of the super sticky 3M trim tape, put several lines of the tape across the inside of the roof panel, and re-installed the OE headliner. So far so good....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
(Bad) photo of replacement black foam-backed C5 headliner
Replacement C5 foam headliner material
Here are a couple of not-so-great photos of the finished material installation. I removed the old headliner material, insulation, and as much of the glue as possible. Then I cleaned the inside of the top with alcohol and let it dry. Then I made a template from cardboard with an exacto knife. Using the template, I cut the new, foam-backed material about a quarter of an inch oversize to allow me to tuck the ends into the top. Using spray glue, I attached the new foam material to the top. It came out well -- not perfect, but well. I like this material better than the original material because it can't sag. The material is permanently bonded to the foam backing which is glued to the top. The material from E-Bay was designed for headliners. I now enjoy a good quarter inch or more of additional headroom compared to the factory solution.There's not a lot of headroom in the car, so every bit helps and it now does not sag at all!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
I removed the cloth headliner, then the layer of tan-colored insulation that was below it. Below that was some hard plastic, I believe just the bottom side of the targa top. I got as much of the residual glue and tape off as possible, cleaned it with alcohol, and applied the foam-backed material using spray adhesive. I think it's on to stay!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 41
From: Brighton, CO
I removed the cloth headliner, then the layer of tan-colored insulation that was below it. Below that was some hard plastic, I believe just the bottom side of the targa top. I got as much of the residual glue and tape off as possible, cleaned it with alcohol, and applied the foam-backed material using spray adhesive. I think it's on to stay!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,905
Likes: 250
From: Orlando FL
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 41
From: Brighton, CO
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,905
Likes: 250
From: Orlando FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I work in a high end automotive upholstery shop here in Vegas. Headliners aren't a C5 or, Corvette problem but an issue with all sorts of cars. The most common cars we see come in with headliner issues are European luxury cars (especially Jaguars) and GM SUV's.
Be thankful GM doesn't use genuine leather for their headliners like luxury brands. It shrinks over time and requires complete replacement which is insanely expensive. We have a late model Bentley in the shop right now with a sagging headliner and the bill will be $$$. Ferrari dash boards are another common trouble spot. They use genuine leather on the dash which is absolutely beautiful but, being a natural material if it spends any time in the sun the material shrinks and pulls the dash out of form. requires removal of the dash to repair correctly. Runs at least several thousand.
Natural, high quality materials are beautiful but such a pain the *** and expensive to repair. Synthetics/imitation materials are usually much more durable. Mercedes calls it's faux leather "MB-tex" which looks just like real leather but wears like iron.
The issue is more the glue the OEM's use, not so much material. Thankfully the Corvette has a small roof and is simple to repair.
Nice fix BTW!
Be thankful GM doesn't use genuine leather for their headliners like luxury brands. It shrinks over time and requires complete replacement which is insanely expensive. We have a late model Bentley in the shop right now with a sagging headliner and the bill will be $$$. Ferrari dash boards are another common trouble spot. They use genuine leather on the dash which is absolutely beautiful but, being a natural material if it spends any time in the sun the material shrinks and pulls the dash out of form. requires removal of the dash to repair correctly. Runs at least several thousand.
Natural, high quality materials are beautiful but such a pain the *** and expensive to repair. Synthetics/imitation materials are usually much more durable. Mercedes calls it's faux leather "MB-tex" which looks just like real leather but wears like iron.
The issue is more the glue the OEM's use, not so much material. Thankfully the Corvette has a small roof and is simple to repair.
Nice fix BTW!
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: IL
Replacement C5 foam headliner material
Here are a couple of not-so-great photos of the finished material installation. I removed the old headliner material, insulation, and as much of the glue as possible. Then I cleaned the inside of the top with alcohol and let it dry. Then I made a template from cardboard with an exacto knife. Using the template, I cut the new, foam-backed material about a quarter of an inch oversize to allow me to tuck the ends into the top. Using spray glue, I attached the new foam material to the top. It came out well -- not perfect, but well. I like this material better than the original material because it can't sag. The material is permanently bonded to the foam backing which is glued to the top. The material from E-Bay was designed for headliners. I now enjoy a good quarter inch or more of additional headroom compared to the factory solution.There's not a lot of headroom in the car, so every bit helps and it now does not sag at all![/QUOTE]
Was there a specific name for the product you bought off of Ebay? I want to try this as well. Thanks!
Here are a couple of not-so-great photos of the finished material installation. I removed the old headliner material, insulation, and as much of the glue as possible. Then I cleaned the inside of the top with alcohol and let it dry. Then I made a template from cardboard with an exacto knife. Using the template, I cut the new, foam-backed material about a quarter of an inch oversize to allow me to tuck the ends into the top. Using spray glue, I attached the new foam material to the top. It came out well -- not perfect, but well. I like this material better than the original material because it can't sag. The material is permanently bonded to the foam backing which is glued to the top. The material from E-Bay was designed for headliners. I now enjoy a good quarter inch or more of additional headroom compared to the factory solution.There's not a lot of headroom in the car, so every bit helps and it now does not sag at all![/QUOTE]
Was there a specific name for the product you bought off of Ebay? I want to try this as well. Thanks!
Last edited by Tanked77; Aug 7, 2018 at 01:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
Replacement C5 foam headliner material
Here are a couple of not-so-great photos of the finished material installation. I removed the old headliner material, insulation, and as much of the glue as possible. Then I cleaned the inside of the top with alcohol and let it dry. Then I made a template from cardboard with an exacto knife. Using the template, I cut the new, foam-backed material about a quarter of an inch oversize to allow me to tuck the ends into the top. Using spray glue, I attached the new foam material to the top. It came out well -- not perfect, but well. I like this material better than the original material because it can't sag. The material is permanently bonded to the foam backing which is glued to the top. The material from E-Bay was designed for headliners. I now enjoy a good quarter inch or more of additional headroom compared to the factory solution.There's not a lot of headroom in the car, so every bit helps and it now does not sag at all!
Here are a couple of not-so-great photos of the finished material installation. I removed the old headliner material, insulation, and as much of the glue as possible. Then I cleaned the inside of the top with alcohol and let it dry. Then I made a template from cardboard with an exacto knife. Using the template, I cut the new, foam-backed material about a quarter of an inch oversize to allow me to tuck the ends into the top. Using spray glue, I attached the new foam material to the top. It came out well -- not perfect, but well. I like this material better than the original material because it can't sag. The material is permanently bonded to the foam backing which is glued to the top. The material from E-Bay was designed for headliners. I now enjoy a good quarter inch or more of additional headroom compared to the factory solution.There's not a lot of headroom in the car, so every bit helps and it now does not sag at all!
Here is what is was called on EBAY . . .
FOAM BLACK UPHOLSTERY AUTO HEADLINER FABRIC 3/16" BACKING 108"L X 60"W
Seller was luvfabrics818. Note that the amount that comes is enough for about 10 cars, so if you know somebody in your area who needs some, team up with them. A few weeks later and I love it!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 41
From: Brighton, CO
FOAM BLACK UPHOLSTERY AUTO HEADLINER FABRIC 3/16" BACKING 108"L X 60"W
Seller was luvfabrics818. Note that the amount that comes is enough for about 10 cars, so if you know somebody in your area who needs some, team up with them. A few weeks later and I love it![/QUOTE]
The same guy sells this in 60x60, in case you don't want that much: https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOAM-BLACK-...4AAOSwkl5Xd2Hn
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
Here is what is was called on EBAY . . .
FOAM BLACK UPHOLSTERY AUTO HEADLINER FABRIC 3/16" BACKING 108"L X 60"W
Seller was luvfabrics818. Note that the amount that comes is enough for about 10 cars, so if you know somebody in your area who needs some, team up with them. A few weeks later and I love it!
FOAM BLACK UPHOLSTERY AUTO HEADLINER FABRIC 3/16" BACKING 108"L X 60"W
Seller was luvfabrics818. Note that the amount that comes is enough for about 10 cars, so if you know somebody in your area who needs some, team up with them. A few weeks later and I love it!