headliner

hello guys im back once again im now 17 and im about to redo my interior with black chrushed velvet and im going to buy a new black headliner and black carpet. im ok on the carpet side i can do that but i have never messed with a headliner. any tips?

I would probably leave the headliner to a professional unless you know how to sew. I hear getting the bows right is the hardest part, but I've never personally messed with them.

Also if you end up deciding that crushed velvet is too expensive or change your mind on style, I have a set of freshly upholstered seats for sale. Don't mind the dust, they have been sitting in my shop for a while.

A couple of places make replacement headliners. They look great, but they suck to install. I tried and failed. I ran into trouble when trying to stretch it smooth. Just couldn't get it done. I got it put together, but it sagged between the bows. I'm sure it's just one of those things that takes patience and practice.

I ended up taking it to an upholstery shop in the end....

how much do upholstry shops charge for a headliner installation?

I've never tried installing after-market headliners, but have pulled a number of nice used ones. With factory originals, there really isn't much that can be done to "tighten" them when installing due to the nature of the rod design. Each rod has to be pulled tight to get it into the next row of slots. Seems to me that if there is sagging between the rods on the after-market ones, they aren't being made correctly.

and i can assure to all of you that the ones that steve pulls are awesome! i always tell the people im driving that the headliner is from a junkyard, and they cant believe it!

I installed a new one in my '74 Malibu with no problem. I bought the perforated type, from OPGI. The bows are part of the headliner, and not separate like in older cars. They just clip/ slide into place in the roof structure. Some glue, which is usually supplied with the headliner, is used to attach the edges to the body (trim is off of course) If wrinkles are present, a bit of stretching, and a hair dryer to warm it up some, can usually get it in place OK.

what is OPGI?

OPGI is Original Parts Group, in California. www.opgi.com Big catalog of '64 through '77 Chevelle/El Camino parts.

Their prices are high on some items, so I always shop around for a particular item. I buy some parts from The Parts Place, Dixiemontecarlo, SandS classics, etc.

Here's a decent list of parts suppliers for us:
http://www.g3gm.com/t3633-g3-vendors

Hey Steve, how do you get a factory headliner out without tearing it? I tried once, but it didn't happen.

Yeah, I bought the one from OPGI as well. Guess I just didn't install it right.

I usually attach the center of front and back of the headliner first, while getting it centered. Then attach the middle/center of each side. once the front, back, and both sides are attached at the centers, I work the corners bit, to keep them up in place while I work from the centers of both sides toward the front. Then work the centers of the sides toward the rear.
It doesn't work to just do one side or front or back. The whole thing has to be worked a bit at a time to keep it centered and avoid wrinkles etc.

I can tell ya that headliners in airplanes are a lot worse to install !

Like I said..... Practice and patience.

It's not my favorite job !!

i got mine out today and it only took like 5 mins. i love how theres little slots to just slide it in