I just got my valve train back together, trying all that I can to make the OCA Nationals in a few weeks. While test driving with the windows down, my headliner decided to rip all of the stiches near the rear window. I can't even see out of the rear window because of it. There was a small tear in the front and a rear, so I guess that it just grabbed too much air and blew it out. Is there a quick way to glue, tape up or other the headliner to keep it out of the way until I can get it replaced after the nationals? Or, am I better off just taking the whole headliner out for now?

 

What kind of car is it?

 

It is a 1970 Cutlass Sport Coupe.

 

quick fix gorilla tape.

 

A picture would go a long way to helping to understand where its torn at. If you've lost so much material that you can't see out the back it might be best just to roughtly cut it out and remove the bows (make sure you number their order and don't mix them up!)

For basic tears though, a curved needle and some thread would allow you to stich it back up temporarily, depending where and how big the rip is at... much better choice than tape of any kind

 

When i bought my car the headliner was ripped it had been propped up w a strip of aluminum that wastucked under the windlace on either side. I left it like for a couple years until i replaced the headliner

 

They make a clear now too.

 

Or, you could use what I call the 98 cents solution. Go to the nearest crafts store and buy some color coded thumb tacks. There's also a company that makes fasteners you can use, I'll see about getting the outfit that makes it. I've done this several times when my headliner lost its adhesive until I replaced it. In fact I'm doing it right now, the headliner in my blue 79 has decided to split on me. Again.

 

Headline Rip Rear 1

Headline Rip Front

Headline Rip Rear 2

 

The front one is a bit of a pain because both sides of the seam have come loose from the bow sleeve, which is what keeps it "up.
I would use a curved needle, sew the front panel to the sleeve, then pull the panel behind it up (use some binder clips to hold it) and use the curved needle to go through both the sleeve and the front panel.
It does not have to look nice, just enough to hold it up.

The middle rip is easy, same thing just use the curved needle to go round and round to close it up.

The rear rip, i can't quite tell is is the rearmost panel? did it just come loose from the rear plastic window trim, or did it rip out at the rear window? If it has ripped at the rear window, there is nothing you can do- you need that little bit of material that goes under the trim, for the trim to hold it in place... If the trim is missing and the headliner just came unglued, then use some contact cement and glue it back onto the pinch weld at the back window (the rear iwndow trim goes over the pinch weld to hold the headliner on back there.

These fixes need not be pretty to hold it up... just enough to keep it flapping around.
If this seems like pain... then maybe just cut out the entire headliner, mark and number the bows, and then plan on a new liner after your trip.