T-Top Headliner Restoration.....?
T-Top Headliner Restoration.....? Any of you guys recovered you headliners?
I have a t-top z28 and the headliner has most definitely seen better days. I would like to take on the project of doing this myself, I just don't want to get in over my head.
Any thoughts?
I have a t-top z28 and the headliner has most definitely seen better days. I would like to take on the project of doing this myself, I just don't want to get in over my head.
Any thoughts?
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida
Have you tried to search the forum for people that have done it themselves? Ive done a couple of headliners for friends of mine and for a couple of my cars (although none were as complex as our T Top cars) and it really wasnt hard and one of my cars was a suburban (it was like recovering a football field), but for $225, thats a little steep of a price to pay. For that amount, you might as well try to find a shop that is willing to do the work for you.
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I would love to see some pics. I also thought about recovering mine in some sort of vinyl. One thing that I am nervous about it the delicate headliner backing. Seems like it will break or sag. Any thoughts on a reinforcement method.
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I'm in for pics and ideas. I'd like to use that new-type "tough as nails" fabric that a lot of your new cars come with... You know, the cloth seats that actually feel good?
maybe, just spit balling here, pull it down and fiberglass the backside but you'll need to make a "jig" to hold it in the right shape, then once that side hardens pull the fabric and fiberglass the "view" side, I would think that would strengthen it and prevent sagging then cover with new material of choice.
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida
I dont have any pics of my past cars i did since it was way long time ago, but yea, you can do it for under 50 bucks and a little time and patience (patience is key here). I remember i did my friend`s wife`s eclipse and my friend`s celica in the same day in his living room, so i think its pretty easy. Im guessing with the a T Top car, you need to pay attention to all the curves around where the T Tops would be, which can be a little nerve racking. I would even say you got to be innovative also, like i would use the handle of the scissors i was using to help me make curves and such as i was laying down the fabric. I would even go as far as taking a piece of the headliner, go to an interior shop and just match up the color fabric, or choose whatever you want.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: somewhere that doesn't get snow
i sold my old headliner for $40 that was recovered about 8 years ago but was sagging in the back and the corners weren't right.
anyway, here's a few pics of mine out of the box and installed.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: somewhere that doesn't get snow
yeah its sturdy. a little too sturdy lol. there is a slight bow out on the drivers side by the middle of the t bar. i tried to put velcro there to hold that part of the board further in but its too rigid. its not very noticeable though. i had my old board recovered by a friend and between all the glue we had to buy and the $60 fabric and the used board i spent $200 and it didnt look that good. i should have just bought the abs plastic headliner with new fabric in the first place.
here's a few pics of my old headliner from ~ 2008 (it was redone in 04) and you can see how the corners didn't come out very good.
here's a few pics of my old headliner from ~ 2008 (it was redone in 04) and you can see how the corners didn't come out very good.
Last edited by 1995blacktattop; Feb 7, 2013 at 10:54 AM.
That's what i am thinking. I have a head liner in my car that isn't ripped at all but it sags. I took the original headliner out because the fabric was torn however the old one still has held 100% of its shape.
