Hi all ,got a question about Headliners. i have read the archives about putting fiberglass resin on the headliner to make it more sturdy.and rigid some say yes others say just where its needed,some say its better to have it a little flexable,to get it back in place,could you guys just give me some feedback on this thanks.

Dana

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My headliner was in multiple pieces having broken on the left and right sides where it's thinnest. The PO tried to staple it together then cover it with new headliner material. It fell apart in my hands while taking it apart to recover so I had to do something. I used 2 small pieces of fiberglass mat on each place where the headliner was cracked in two. Once those cured then I used resin over the entire top and bottom with a brush. No extra fiberglass was used. I just let it soak into the headliner and cure. You could only work sections at a time as I think I used too much hardener in the resin and it would set pretty quick. Nothing worse than wasted resin sitting in your mixing cup hard as a rock.....

Once it was cured I simply covered it with headliner material and installed it in the car. My only advice is to be careful with the sunroof opening. I almost cut too much headliner material away. There is a bit of a gap to cover so leave plenty of material.

I used resin on my headliner top last night. I only put it in the weak places and a couple of cracks. Mine was not broken in any places but very weak. I let it sit overnight and installed my headliner material tonight. Should be installing tomorrow along with the rest of my trim that got a new paint job. Hope this helps.

Donnie

when i did mine I put the resin on the backside so it didnt mess with the shape of the surface were the fabric went and i put the fiberglass on the backside as well only on the outside edges were stuff mounts thru and the broken bits it turned out perfect and is still flexible.

[This message has been edited by jetsnvettes2000 (edited 05-10-2010).]

Mine came out in about six or seven pieces, needed multiple "skin grafts" of fiberglass mat and resin to piece it back together. It was well worth it though as it went in well and did not break at install and the material I used looks great. I used the "carpet" they sell at walmart and meier. It is a little thicker than the original and I also used the 3m high heat resistant spray rubber cement and it worked perfect.

I used two coats of resin on boths sides. The first coat soaked right in, the second left a nice smooth surface... I placed some blockes under it while it set to hold its shape. After, I sanded out any runs or imperfections. I test fit it several times before installing the material. I also used a dremil where I hade to maintain the tolerances around openings. Lastly, I sanded the entire face w/ some 100 sandpaper, to give the fabric/glue more to adhear to. I would not cut out your roof opening untill it is installed. Or leave more then you will need to tuck it back in. You can always trim more off, you can't put it back on Also, the fabric I used already had the thin foam backing. MAKE SURE YOU BUY THE BEST GLUE YOU CAN FIND! I used loc-tite industrial strength HIGH HEAT spay adhesive...

Mine looks perfect! I would resin it...

I'd suggest doing the whole thing. I have a headliner from TFS, and it's solid fiber glass.

Mine was in one piece but flimsy. I put a sheet of woven mat over each side and pasted it with plenty of resin. It still has enough flex to install etc but otherwise is nice and solid now.
I had to recover mine twice because I messed up first time. I found that if you pull the newly glued (or even still well glued old) headliner material off it will remove a layer of the paper fiber and weaken the board. I found the best way to remove headliner material was with a flap wheel on an angle grinder and a gentle touch. Very messy but it brings the old material off without pulling layers of the board off. Key words are 'gentle touch'!

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

Covered mine in fiberglass resin. front and back. That was 6-8 years ago. Headliner is still attached, and no problems.

quote Originally posted by ltlfrari: I found the best way to remove headliner material was with a flap wheel on an angle grinder and a gentle touch. Very messy but it brings the old material off without pulling layers of the board off. Key words are 'gentle touch'!

A firm nylon bristle scrub brush works very well. Or a soft bristle metal BBQ grill brush...