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 23 2025, 08:27 PM Post #2
Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,874 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385	Parts are on. order to use the original backer board. The front retainer clips are still apparently in the GM catalogs, and I've ordered a set from Jeg's, but they have yet to let me know if they've shipped. Same with the fabric and replacement sail panels. Ordered from OC Carpet, but no shipping notification. While I WOP, I've started coating the backer board with fiberglass resin, reinforcing broken/cracked areas with fiberglass fabric. Here's where I reinforced the area around the dome light hole. This is the side closest to the metal roof panel: (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZK8qcNxJDYiP.jpg) Flipping the panel over, I've started coating the fiber with resin. The area of the panel below that looks like blood was spilled on it is the reinforced area. This stuff SOAKS up the resin!! I've almost completely gone through an entire 28 oz. can of resin and barely have just the edges covered. Also, since it's fresher than the stuff I started with, it sets very quickly!! My co-driver is going to pick a couple more resin kits up on the way home from work. When we have time in the shop again, I think both of us will be out there, one mixing and pouring, and the other madly brushing the stuff out before it disappears in the fiber of the. board. Here's the other side of the board leading edge. The little squares are the back side of the anchors for the retaining clips. The anchors are basically big staples. I contemplated removing them and installing them in the AM ABS board, but since it's not even dimensionally correct, will stick with the OEM board: (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2ZK8qwrxJDYiP.jpg)