Headliner/Glass install...

[442_Mustang]

Hopefully painting my car tomorrow. Question is: After I paint it, Should I install the headliner before I put the glass in or is it better to put the front and rear glass in before the headliner.

[68Tom]

I've easily removed my headliner with the glass in, so I can't see it being an issue to put it in with the glass in. Not sure if you're doing it yourself or not, but a professional should easily be able to do it.

Personally, I'd want my glass in to prevent dust and junk blowing inside the car and getting into the headliner.

[Texascarnut]

Some GM cars require the windshield and rear glass be removed to properly install a new headliner. Whether yours is one I cannot say without having a shop manual on that year model covering the subject. I will say that is it much easier on any car to pull things nice and smooth around the corners of the both the windshield and rear window with the glass out. It is also easier to maneuver a staple gun around both openings with the glass out. Replace any deteriorating tack strip ahead of attempting to install the new headliner.

It is also an opportune time to replace the respective gaskets with new making sure there is adequate sealer used in the channel to help prevent future rust issues, particularly around the rear glass.

[70Post]

No need to remove any glass on a '65-72 Olds Cutlass, etc for headliner removal/replacement. There are no tack strips that require a stapler on these cars. The thing is held in place by the headliner bows which slip into the sewn-in loops at each headliner seam and is then glued around the perimeter to the metal tack strips.

Access might be a little easier in places but these things are replaced all the time on cars with the glass in place. My buddy just had his done on a '70 W31....completely assembled running car.

One thing to be aware of....if you do it with the glass OUT and later on buff the car with a machine buffer (again with the glass out)....BE SURE AND COMPLETELY MASK OFF THE WINDOW OPENINGS. Some of the buffing compounds can be a huge pain to remove completely from fabric surfaces. If it's a black headliner you may never get the stuff off enough to not have spots/smears. Same thing goes for package trays.

[442_Mustang]

Thanks. I'm going to paint it hopefully today. All glass is out of the car and it is just a shell. I wlii wait to put glass in till aftef the headliner is in.