Why do aftermarket headliners suck so much? - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

We're updating some bits in our 92 B4C 1LE Camaro RS ex-Tx DPS car, like headliner and carpet, to start. Both have enjoyed decades of police use and life as a race car. The headliner fell years ago, but since I wasn't DDing it anymore, I didn't worry much, but quietly gathered parts while I was working and tucked them away in our shop. We are finally mostly-done with the restomod of the SVO, so I figured that it was a good time to start on the Camaro. I'm STILL gathering parts, as things have broken and been discovered missing while disassembly progressed.

Since I'm waiting on parts, I figured I'd get the headliner down and unpacked so I can figure out what I need to do for the install. It's one of those ABS things that everyone complains about. When I was buying, the reviews seemed to be all 1's or 5's, and not having much choice, bought one. I think I got it from Hawks, but am unsure. I know they just resell one of the couple that are on the market, so kwality issues really aren't on them.

When I pulled the thing from the bag, I discovered that parts of the material are ALREADY sagging, and it seems the foam between the backing board and material has deteriorated. When you touch the material, it leaves an indentation in the fabric. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) I'm kind of pi$$ed at this, but also kind of relieved we didn't install this thing only to have it fall while in the car in little time.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. The old headliner board is broken in several places, in spite of trying to go easy with the removal. It was a cheap POS, too, so I'm not sure it can be reused. I'm half-tempted to pull the material off the 'new' ABS board, cleaning it, and then getting and installing some new material, but my last experience with that job years ago was a total failure (headliner on a '83 Impala).

Does anyone know of a good manufacturer to order from? This crap sux!!

(IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZKPNT8xJDYiP.jpg)
Entire new headliner after pulling out of the packaging.

(IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZKPrUrxJDYiP.jpg)
Edge by B-pillar showing sagging material.

(IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZKPrt8xJDYiP.jpg)
Edge of headliner showing depression where it was handled.... a couple of years ago!

This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Apr 15 2025, 09:09 PM

CrashTestDummy View Member Profile	Apr 15 2025, 09:06 PM Post #1
Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,874 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385	We're updating some bits in our 92 B4C 1LE Camaro RS ex-Tx DPS car, like headliner and carpet, to start. Both have enjoyed decades of police use and life as a race car. The headliner fell years ago, but since I wasn't DDing it anymore, I didn't worry much, but quietly gathered parts while I was working and tucked them away in our shop. We are finally mostly-done with the restomod of the SVO, so I figured that it was a good time to start on the Camaro. I'm STILL gathering parts, as things have broken and been discovered missing while disassembly progressed. Since I'm waiting on parts, I figured I'd get the headliner down and unpacked so I can figure out what I need to do for the install. It's one of those ABS things that everyone complains about. When I was buying, the reviews seemed to be all 1's or 5's, and not having much choice, bought one. I think I got it from Hawks, but am unsure. I know they just resell one of the couple that are on the market, so kwality issues really aren't on them. When I pulled the thing from the bag, I discovered that parts of the material are ALREADY sagging, and it seems the foam between the backing board and material has deteriorated. When you touch the material, it leaves an indentation in the fabric. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) I'm kind of pi$$ed at this, but also kind of relieved we didn't install this thing only to have it fall while in the car in little time. I'm not sure what to do at this point. The old headliner board is broken in several places, in spite of trying to go easy with the removal. It was a cheap POS, too, so I'm not sure it can be reused. I'm half-tempted to pull the material off the 'new' ABS board, cleaning it, and then getting and installing some new material, but my last experience with that job years ago was a total failure (headliner on a '83 Impala). Does anyone know of a good manufacturer to order from? This crap sux!! (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZKPNT8xJDYiP.jpg) Entire new headliner after pulling out of the packaging. (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZKPrUrxJDYiP.jpg) Edge by B-pillar showing sagging material. (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZKPrt8xJDYiP.jpg) Edge of headliner showing depression where it was handled.... a couple of years ago! This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Apr 15 2025, 09:09 PM

CrashTestDummy View Member Profile	Apr 16 2025, 04:04 PM Post #2
Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,874 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385	If they're experienced with that sort of thing, possibly. The headliner panel, at least on the 3rd Gen cars, are a really flimsy fiberboard-like material. Not the old-style cardboard you're used to seeing in earlier vehicles. Ours seemed to be trying to fold up under the weight of the headliner material when trying to remove it. I was trying to be extra careful, too, in case the need arose to reuse it. Not sure that's possible now. I am going out today to have a closer look at it, to weigh my options, if I have any...... The old headliner, at least on the 3rd Gen, also has clips that clip into the roof panel up at the windshield that none of the AM panels have.