I have an 85 GT with T-Tops and the headliner is in dire need of being replaced. Has anyone ever done this themselves or had someone do it for you? I was told that the seals need to be removed to get the headliner in right and that it would cost at a minimum of $500.
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11:04 AM
PFF
System Bot
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
Been there and done that. No you don't need to touch the seals. There is a plastic trim at the edge of the headliner and the t-top you remove but that is it. Remove your front windshield pillar trim. Rear pillar trim. Sunvisors and overhead light. Be very carful because the headliner is very fragile when is is removed. Remove all old cloth and foam from the headliner piece. You will probably have two headliner pieces at this point because it will break at the overhead light opening. Just make note of their relationship to each other so you can glue them back in the right position. Use good quality contact cement, I recommend not using spray adhesive but some do. Put glue on the new headliner material and the headliner and press together. After both pieces of the headliner are mounted on the material, do not cut out the overhead light opening until after putting it in the car. You need the hole covered to help hold and position the headliner while reinstalling. Leave about an 2 inches of extra material beyond the t-top opening to wrap around the t-top opening and to be covered by the trim that was first mentioned. After the headliner is installed cut the overhead light opening. Take your time and good luck.
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Red 88 GT T-TOP
Red 86 GT
[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 08-21-2001).]
I purchased it at a local upholstery shop. I also purchased my cement from him so I would have the good stuff. Just took a jar along for him to fill. I have seen headliner material being sold at Pep boys and other automotive stores.
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12:18 PM
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
skitime... what about the padding that goes under the material. I was looking at my t-top last night and the pad is very thick.
My headliner is actually fine but he entire interior of the car has been spray painted black and I am about to take a light grey interior out of another car and put into it.
Still interested in more info on your back glass too... How you did it, and how many fumes you get if riding with the window open. I just love your car, man! hehe
Originally posted by Songman: skitime... what about the padding that goes under the material. I was looking at my t-top last night and the pad is very thick.
My headliner is actually fine but he entire interior of the car has been spray painted black and I am about to take a light grey interior out of another car and put into it.
Still interested in more info on your back glass too... How you did it, and how many fumes you get if riding with the window open. I just love your car, man! hehe
Songman the thick material you were looking at is the fiberglass headliner. There is foam already attached to the back of the new headlining material but it is at most a 1/4 inch thick.
Is your car a t-top Indy? I didn't realize it was a t-top. I never saw a t-top Indy before. That is very cool. I am glad you are restoring the interior to the original color.
I created a new thread on how I made the removeable rear window so I would take this thread in another direction.
[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 08-21-2001).]
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12:42 PM
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
No, the Indy just has a sunroof. I have 4 more Fieros besides it, including an 88 T-top coupe that I am planning to convert to a modified 3800SC T-topped Indy clone. With some of your ideas and some of Aus's body panels I hope it can be a really cool car.
I did a mock up of the dream in Photoshop and then the AusMaster did it even better for me. It will definitely have Aus side panels but I'll be watching you for more ideas for the rest of the car.
I also hope to do a custom interior for this car later but will keep it tied in to the theme of the car. But for the time being I need an interior in this car and my 84 parts car just happens to have the same interior as my Indy except for the red carpet! Lucky me!
Thanks for the instructions on the rear window. Not sure if I can ever pull it off but I may give it a shot. If you ever want to get rid of any of your prototypes that don't make it onto your car, make sure and let me know!
Hey Songman, you know I am actually getting a collection of prototype parts sitting around here. Veronica was hoping you would of been at the Nationals at Williamsburg, I think she wanted an autograph or something. Wow that sounds like a nice collection of cars. I think my latest mod would look good on your mock up car. I have the prototype done and I am very excited about it. Stay tuned.
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01:24 PM
Tina Member
Posts: 2858 From: At an elevation of 8564 feet. Registered: Nov 2000
Originally posted by skitime: You will probably have two headliner pieces at this point because it will break at the overhead light opening.
I used a thin piece of cardboard to mend the break I encounterd. ( just for a little stability,.....under the fabric of course) Another that helps alot,... having an extra person when your'e ready to put it back up.
When I installed T-tops in my car I had to make a T-top headliner board. I just used a headliner board from a non sunroof car and then put several coats of fiberglass resin on both sides. The headliner board is very porous and it just soaks it up. After the resin is cured the board is very rigid. I then cut the board to shape for the T-top openings and reinforced the areas near the overhead light console with some fiberglass cloth and some more resin. This resulted in a very sturdy headliner board that I have no fear of falling to pieces should I have to remove it at a later date.