My headliner is tired to say the least and I want to replace it. I am seeking advice on a good supplier to purchase a replacement. I am also inquiring on the degree of difficulty for DIY replacement. Any suggestions from my wagon friends out there? Thanks!
Krash Kaddilac is the person to talk to. He had the roof liner done in his "Way Back Machine" 81 Bonneville Safari not so long ago. Since the same material was used in the G.M. box wagons, he'll be able to answer your questions.
The problem with this vintage GM headliner is that it is foam-backed cloth. The foam deteriorates over time, allowing the cloth to just hang down. Any upholstery material provider sells replacement material in bulk. I've bought from these guys before. They sell the material and the spray adhesive. You need to remove the old headliner board, clean off all the old foam and adhesive, rough cut the new material, then spray adhesive and stick down the new material. Once you remove the sun visors, dome light, and garnish molding, the headliner board is in two parts and comes out easily through the tailgate area. The problem is the garnish molding around the headliner in the load area. This molding is held in place with plastic clips that are blind snap-in clips. I've found it nearly impossible to remove the trim without destroying at least a few of the clips. Replacement clips are virtually unavailable for these locations -and yes I've repeatedly checked all the usual and not-to-usual sources. The side garnish trim uses different clips from the one above the back window. Trim shops that I've talked to apparently just drill holes and reinstall the garnish molding with screws. This really looks like crap in my opinion.
Headliner Replacement for 77 Caprice Estate Thanks Joe for the very informative post. I checked your suggested supplier and they seem to have everything need to do the job. Thanks Again! Mark
Yes, KK hopefully will respond as he farmed out his headliner witch looks awesome BTW. I did my own and it was not grief, took a slow weekend in remove, clean, re-fit and back in but I also did not use foam backed material. Not hard to do if you are a comfortable do it yourself guy. Can't find my thread at the moment of my do it yourself headliner but if I find it, it will give you a idea of what you need to do if you want to do it yourself
Thanks Tedy for the reply! Please forward your thread regarding headliner replacement when you get the chance. How did you fare removing the clips? Were you successful in keeping them in tact? If not, what did you use as a substitute? Looking forward in hearing from you again! thanks, Mark
