[CrashTestDummy]

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]

I think a semi-popular R&R method is to coat the old board in either fiberglass resin, or polyurethane. One guy on the Third Gen list showed a picture of what he did with his T-top panel, and it looked coated by something. I'm hoping he comes back with an answer, or I may step out on my own on this. I've ordered roll headliner fabric from OC Carpets, so I can make a definitive decision when that arrives. If I can repair the old board, I'd prefer to use it, since the AM ABS piece is a bit shorter, and doesn't have the. front clips.

This is about the third 'compromise' I've come across updating this thing. Parts for our SVO were rarely this bad. I commented to my wife that it seems like the vendors are catering to a different class of people providing parts for the GM crowd vs. the Mustang crowd. Maybe with the cars getting to be worth more, and more 'pro' shops doing restorations on them, the market will improve?

While waiting for parts, we set to work on fitting the carpet. After about 3 hours, we're both done, so we let the carpet 'relax' in the car overnight so we could rest up. It's been through 3 iterations of pulling and cutting and reinstalling, and still needs work. I'm trying to sneak up on a good fit instead of 'I cut it off again and it's still too short'.....

The carpet is about 6" too big in each direction, even when laid over the trans hump.

This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Apr 16 2025, 09:33 PM