How many people have removed the foam backing to replace the headliner vs. just tucking the headliner in around the foam edges and playing it safe. (Rather than breaking it).

so what if you break it?

the backing board is nothing, so if it cracks or bends, bfd. Cover it in fabric and stick back up there.

another option, take just the top to an upolstery shop. I bet they can do the headliner professionally for less than $100.00.

See Chris' debacle here:

http://www.corvette-guru.com/modules/ ... t_id=41360#forumpost41360

Nice link and appreciate the info so far.

Been shopping around town for headliner material and getting to many different answers.

What is the correct thickness for the headliner I should be looking for. Is there a choice of tolerance?

I just picked up some thick felt looking stuff from the fabric store. Maybe get creative and get a different color that matches the interior. I left the foam in place, scrubbed it gently to get any loose glue off it, and used some heavy duty 3M spray to hold the new fabric in place and of course pat it down nicely without wrinkling it. It's been great for 2 years now. (The first time I tried some cheap adhesive spray and it came back down.)

I tucked it in around the edges with a credit card, some spots seem to be overglued from the factory and are hard to tuck in.

Here is a link to the Corvette Fever article.

http://www.corvettefever.com/techarti ... ette_headliner/index.html

I had tried to get the pad out couple years ago and could not get any corner to lift at all where it might give hope it would release so I backed off. It seemed like it was glued down with gorilla glue or liquid nails and seemed very permanent.

The picture in the link shows glue just in the center. Mine did not appear to have any flex in the corners. After taking a quick look at it today it looks like a thin liner is the way to go.

That’s why I am inclined to go with Coaster’s recommendation. I have done other headliners on full size cars. You wouldn’t think this little top would be such a hassle and give so much thought.

Since it does not hit my head when I drive I don’t think about it much but would like to make it right and look better.

Why do you want to remove the pad? I don't see any reason to. It's easy enough to tuck the fabric around the edges. Even if you removed the pad and covered it, you'd still have to mess with the frame or tuck the edges anyways.

Quote:

My thoughts exactly, I really don’t want to remove the pad. After a second look I am definitely am leaving it in.

I initially thought if I could get it out easily I might be able to do a better job. But it looks like the better job is to leave it in. that’s how I am going to do it.

I pulled mine off to recover it. It is autographed in pencil
under the insulation board by 2 people. Assembly line graffiti i guess.
Kinda cool to discover stuff like that.

I did mine at a shop with black leather.

[IMG]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h247/94vette94/P3070007.jpg[/IMG]
All finished with the installation.

[IMG]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h247/94vette94/P3070013.jpg[/IMG]
Top installed and ready to go.

The job came out better than I thought. I should have done it years ago but did not think the tucking in thing was going to work so well and be that easy.

Looks great, another chore I need to do!

I did pretty much the same as CSS996's write up, except I used a plastic putty knife to remove the pad. Even removed the headliner residue by rubbing with my fingers. A few pieces of pad tore during the removal. I glued them back in place with 3M spray adhesive before I applied the fabric.

I also found some graffiti under the pad. I wish I had taken a picture of it.

I bought black head liner fabric from JoAnn's fabric. I tried explaining to counter girl what I was after and she said, "oh, headliner fabric, it's over on the back wall". Matches the black cloth interior very well, and inexpensive.

Again using the 3M adhesive, I applied first long way, then perpendicular short way, then lastly diagonal allowing 10 minutes between coats on both the pad and new material. Once I had the material on and happy with the corners and ends I raided the kitchen for a small pastry roller and used that to roll out the fabric.

I laid down two lines of adhesive on the inside top the short way - parallel to the doors about 6" in on each side - to secure the pad. Tucked the top in around the edges using the putty knife for good measure.

Looks great, no more sag right in front of the mirror

Looks great!