dfire25

Has anyone tried replacing thier headliner by themselves? I've been getting, we'll have to look at it quotes anywhere between $400-$900 to have someone do it. That's kind of rough considering you can pick one up for around $180. I'm not saying it looks easy, but it don't look rediculusly hard. More time consuming. Just wondering if I can do it myself, or major buck up and have so,some do it.

rjohnson442

I did my own after getting the same quotes as you did and was please with the results. Best advise is go slow with the trimming on the bows, you can always trim more but not less for a nicer curve. A hot sunny day is the best time to do it with the fabric nice and warm,People use steamers to help stretch,I didn't have one though. DO NOT trim the edges until after you have the rails back in place and pushed all the way back on. The hardest part for me was the corners around the top of the back glass. At 6'2" the job is in no way fun and can see why the prices quoted are that high after doing it myself.

Gary's 2 442-S

I did my own also. I followed this tutorial below. My glass was not in yet so it went easier.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/26-i...-write-up.html

dfire25

Thanks for the advise guys. Still debating whether to do it myself or not. If I do attempt to do it myself, it probably won't be till summertime anyway.

Are the windlace moldings generally reusable, or will I have to replace them as well?

Gary's 2 442-S

You probably can reuse them as long as you are not changing colors as I did.

Her69olds

I am going to try and do it myself also, where do you get your material for around $180?

RROLDSX

It's a tough job, plain an simple. There are several YouTube videos on it. It is easier with the glass out. I personally wouldn't attempt it with the glass in. I believe I paid around $100 from Legendary for my 69 442 black headliner. Good luck.

oldstata

Very good wright up! I reused my old and did it my self very please. many others have done it lots of binder clips and take it slow, it will turn out good! A day or two to perform the task and you will save yourself some cash to put else where. And if you don't like the results witch I doubt you didn't loose anything but time and maybe the cost of the headliner

dfire25

Oops! Typo, l meant around $80 from The Parts Place.

dfire25

I think my friend and I are going to attempt to do it ourselves. Going to wait a couple month though for the weather to be consistent. He has a 69 Camaro that needs one too, so I guess we'll have the practice when it comes time to do his. I'll update here when I start it.

don71

I wish you the best of luck. I consider this type of project above my pay grade.
I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it my self. I admire people who can do it right, like other interior projects. I'm just no good at it.

oldstata

I think you will do great here is a few pics from mine different year but same concept D4832DDD-AC6C-4F96-A7C9-B93418260AAA.jpg

FF377BA8-41A8-46C8-9DCD-3E37BB7CA464.jpg
Here was my helpers

ELY442

I did this job 2 summers ago and its not a bad job. Its easier with the glass out but mine was in. I bought the headliner from Fusick and watch a how to do video. I bought a lot of binder clips and a tube of yellow weatherstrip glue. Get a Sharpie and mark the hole where the rod goes to. There's a few holes next to it. Go easy snapping the rod back onto the plastic clips. I broke a few so you have to know which clips to order. There are different shapes to it. I agree with rjohnson442 about "the corners around the top of the back glass". On driver side back corner has a few wrinkles but other than that everything went well. Be careful when you install the dome light housing. You cant find the holes once its covered so you have to feel your way through. Good luck.

dfire25

Thanks guys for the encouragement. Has anyone tried a steamer so smooth it out as well?

ELY442

I had no access to a steamer but you can use a hair dryer.

oldstata

I didn't glue for a few weeks I kept going out and restreatching mine when I was happy I glued the ends down

Also the rear corner seams seems to just be off but I reused my old one so who know factory flaw ? 1AFD8555-255D-4373-9A1D-BBAD786764E3.jpg

dfire25

Looks good oldstata. Unfortunately I going to do my with the windows in, so it's going to be harder. The headliners they sell at TPP say it doesn't come with material for sail panels. Who sells the with the material?

oldstata

Macadoo, did one last summer on a 71 cutlass and seemed to have gone well for him he did a full interior color swap can't remember the thread name maybe some one will chime in as I am sure it came with the sail panels

ELY442

Have you tried Fusick? Mine came with enough material to do the sail panels and sunvisors. Don't forget to check the headliner and sail panel insulation.

dfire25

I will give them a try. Yes I know my insulation is probably trashed (mice). Plan on using a "Dynamat type" material.

dfire25

Just did a search at Fusick and they didn't have any.

rjohnson442

I got mine from OPG years ago and it came with the sail panels Cut and finished to install along with material to cover the visors,the insulation was separate. Doing it with the glass in is rough but the sail panels cover most of the back package tray and removing all the seats helps fit your butt back there. Also a small child helps great with the back window!

classicmuscle442

Did one couple years ago. Tip: install screws for dome light, easier to find.

Gary's 2 442-S

Excellent point. Also for the coat hangers as well.