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Topic: Headliner backing (Read 1588 times) previous topic - next topic

Headliner backing

So I decided to replace my headliner today, and I found out that the suggestion of having at least two people really isn’t a suggestion as much as a requirement.

My headliner board isn’t totally deteriorating, but it ripped right at the weak spot where the moonroof is. :toilet:

Has anyone had any luck reinforcing these areas with cardboard, or FRP’s or anything similar?


Thanks.

Re: Headliner backing

Reply #1 –
Well OK then.  Chip board and duct tape it is!

Re: Headliner backing

Reply #2 –
if your talking about the 86 and down headliner,, they are a bit different from the 87 and up.

i was working with my 84 once and removed all the foam and liner. I layed out the cardboard in the living room floor.  When i flattend out the corners which are split anyway, i discovered that all your really dealing with is a flat piece of cardboard formed to the foam and liner.

Having said this, i would suspect in your case that you could find a huge box like from a refrigerator or such and cut it out using your cardboard backing as a pattern.  I'd then use 3m adhesive to attach your new carboard to the old.  I would then run out and purchase 1/8'' or 3/16'' thick foam in a 4' x5' or so piece and glue it to the side where the old foam was.  I would then purchase a better fabric then what was stock,, maybe you could find the fabric in various cloth stores.  Use the 3m once again to attach it. 

My backing was in tact so i did not have the same situation as you did.  I purchased the foam and fabric from local resources and never got to finish the job cause the wife told me to knock off due to a storm ........45 min later a tree fell on my 84 right in the middle perpendicular to the cars position.  I would have been dead if she were not home cause i was really wanting to get it done.

Re: Headliner backing

Reply #3 –
Well I got it done.  It was a little more labor intensive than I expected, but I was working by myself.

It was on my ’87 TC with the sunroof (new seal make s all the difference in the world by the way).  The new foam is quite a bit thicker than the old broken down stuff, so the panels fit a little tight.  The retainer button things in the back are so tight it looks like a ‘70’s era van with some kind of diamond tuck, but I’m sure it will all even out eventually.

Over all I feel good about being able to get it done.  That being said I’ll probably take it somewhere else next time.

Re: Headliner backing

Reply #4 –
you, mr. jcassity have great ideas, and have had one heck of an adventurous life..

Re: Headliner backing

Reply #5 –
Oh yeah - no cardboard backing, just that .... compressed fiberglass stuff?