Replacing headliner

[Chris Bryant]

I'm not a mechanic at all nor familiar with working on auto upholstery but my new ride needs a headliner and any advice in this matter would be appreciated. 

[cny first gen 71]

I was a mechanic and I did do my interior (will never do that again) but I would never try a headliner. Leave that to the pros.

[Chris Bryant]

My dad says to do it myself cause all the auto upholstery places are rip offs. He's kind of a cheapskate.

[Dtret]

17 minutes ago, Chris Bryant said:

My dad says to do it myself cause all the auto upholstery places are rip offs. He's kind of a cheapskate.

He may be cheap but I’m sure he has a reason for saying that. 

[Chris Bryant]

I'd rather spend the money for it to be done right.

[willie]

Chris i never done it so i cant say. But i do remember there was a post on it at one time and whoever did do it said it wasn't that bad. It has to be all labor, what could the headliner cost? If you are up to it, try it yourself. If you can't or skills/tools hold you back, have it done. But definitely search it first.

[RichG]

Go to the Interior Tech Archive and look for headliner install tips by Rich G. It is a comprehensive guide to do a quality install if you take your time and pay attention to the instructions on the spray glue. You can’t rush and if you pull TOO hard you can rip out the seams. Gentle use of a hair dryer helps get wrinkles out but use no more than medium heat, don’t get the nozzle too close because you can scorch the headliner pattern. There is a reason a shop gets what they get. It’s not overly difficult if you are patient and methodical. 

[Dtret]

23 minutes ago, RichG said:

Go to the Interior Tech Archive and look for headliner install tips by Rich G. It is a comprehensive guide to do a quality install if you take your time and pay attention to the instructions on the spray glue. You can’t rush and if you pull TOO hard you can rip out the seams. Gentle use of a hair dryer helps get wrinkles out but use no more than medium heat, don’t get the nozzle too close because you can scorch the headliner pattern. There is a reason a shop gets what they get. It’s not overly difficult if you are patient and methodical. 

It’s like body work. I can’t do that either. You said something about patience that’s when I knew I was out. 

[Chris Bryant]

I don't have any patience either.

[overdrive]

I've done 2 and will be doing another. It's not hard to do, but it takes time. Watch some YouTube videos and make a plan, but if you don't have the patience it takes to make it look great, get some references and have a trustworthy professional do the job. I've seen some otherwise very nice cars at shows that had poorly installed headliners. Some were installed by the owner and some by professionals. I'm the type that loves to learn and do my own work, and that's why I do 99% of my restorations myself. I have zero patience for a professional that cuts corners. Many do great work, but it can be a crap shoot, and I can have 100% control of the timeline when I don't have to wait on someone. Paint jail is bs. Also, it's very satisfying when you're at a show and someone starts asking who did the different parts of the restoration. 

This is a decent video for headliners, but don't watch just one. Pay close attention to how the original headliner was installed as you remove it, and take pics and make good notes. The cloth tubes that the bows slide into are called listings. Instead of doing like this guy with the listings, measure the length of the listings for each bow on the original headliner, and use those measurements for the lengths of the new listings. Cut the extra listing at each end close and parallel to the stitches. You won't want to put any glue on excess listing. I like using the brushable glue. It takes longer, but it makes it much easier to keep glue only where it belongs. Snap the bow next to the dome light in first. Another tip is to put all screws that will end up penetrating the headliner back into their holes before you start hanging the headliner. This makes it very easy to locate the holes that will be needed. Just feel for them after the headliner edges are glued and cut a small X on them with a razor blade. 

Dan

 

[Chris Bryant]

Overdrive thank you for posting this video. It will be of great help. You guys on here are awesome. 

[Dtret]

I paid to have a recommended guy replace my headliner in my 71SS. He put the bows in the wrong holes and now it hits my head when I sit in the car. I contacted him and he apologized profusely and said he would buy me a new headliner and replace it free. I told him I would pay for the headliner ( he was relatively inexpensive) and he could install. No problem right? Wrong. Can’t find him with a search warrant. I haven’t replaced it yet. 

[willie]

Dennis you are hanging out with the wrong people!!!

[Rob Peters]

1 hour ago, Dtret said:

Can’t find him with a search warrant. I haven’t replaced it yet. 

Did you check the local public arrest records?

rob

[Dtret]

35 minutes ago, willie said:

Dennis you are hanging out with the wrong people!!!

No kidding. Club included. lol. 😂. The guy that painted my car made the recommendation. 

[FrankOC]

I've watched a couple other videos after watching the one above, I think I'm going to give it a shot in my other car.

[Blackhawk]

It's a lot easier with the glass out, especially in the back. I did mine with my wife and dad, it turned out good everywhere but the back corners. It's possible that I stretched it too much, but it may tighten a bit in the sun and like everything I'll be the only person to notice it.

[Glen]

On 4/14/2025 at 9:54 AM, Dtret said:

I paid to have a recommended guy replace my headliner in my 71SS. He put the bows in the wrong holes and now it hits my head when I sit in the car. I contacted him and he apologized profusely and said he would buy me a new headliner and replace it free. I told him I would pay for the headliner ( he was relatively inexpensive) and he could install. No problem right? Wrong. Can’t find him with a search warrant. I haven’t replaced it yet. 

Cloned car deserves a cloned headliner installer. 

I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’ 

In the meantime, maybe lower the seat or shave your head 🤣😂🤣😂

[Dtret]

6 hours ago, Glen said:

Cloned car deserves a cloned headliner installer. 

I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’ 

In the meantime, maybe lower the seat or shave your head 🤣😂🤣😂

That’s what I got. lol. I’m not pretty enough to pull off bald. 🧑‍🦲 

[420ponies]

On 4/14/2025 at 10:54 AM, Dtret said:

I paid to have a recommended guy replace my headliner in my 71SS. He put the bows in the wrong holes and now it hits my head when I sit in the car. I contacted him and he apologized profusely and said he would buy me a new headliner and replace it free. I told him I would pay for the headliner ( he was relatively inexpensive) and he could install. No problem right? Wrong. Can’t find him with a search warrant. I haven’t replaced it yet. 

Don't you hate when that happens ? 

[Dtret]

1 hour ago, 420ponies said:

Don't you hate when that happens ? 

No. I love it. lol.  😝 

[Scott S.]

7 hours ago, 420ponies said:

Don't you hate when that happens ? 

Sounds like the guy who did the body/paint on Montelishi.....   

[Scott S.]

16 hours ago, Dtret said:

That’s what I got. lol. I’m not pretty enough to pull off bald. 🧑‍🦲 

Look like Telly Savalas ???

[Scott S.]

23 hours ago, Glen said:

Cloned car deserves a cloned headliner installer. 

I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’ 

In the meantime, maybe lower the seat or shave your head 🤣😂🤣😂

Tent poles ???? 

[Glen]

45 minutes ago, Scott S. said:

Look like Telly Savalas ???

He wishes.  “No one loves ya, baby”.