Last week I ordered the material off Ebay to replace my headliner that was sagging and falling apart. Came this morning. Took about 2 1/2 hours of actual labor to get the job done. I've never done this before and it came out looking factory stock. A little patience and care is all it took. Total cost was about $40 bucks including the shipping and a can of 3M spray adhesive. Recommend anyone who has a bad headliner try repairing it yourself first before spending big bucks. I figure I saved myself about $120 bucks.

I considered doing it myself as you've done. But here in Georgia during the summer months the humidity is so fierce that I opted to get the color matched vacuum formed headliner from Honest Charley's. Yes, 3 times what you paid, but only took 15 minutes to install and looks great.

You should have seen what the previous owner had done to the original headliner...we're talkin maybe 100 - 200 staples...what a dork!

I got my headliner material from a fabric shop, it's the same thing as original. It was a whole $11 + $6 for adhesive! 8)

Good for you Mike. Sounds like you had everything fall into place just right.
I did my own a couple of months ago. It took me a little longer than your experience. The foam core was cracked in several places that needed repairing (used fiberglass patch kit), and I managed to mangle the clips that hold the front trim piece in place (twice, no less; I guess I'm a slow learner). Like you I got some absolutely matching liner material at a faric store.
So overall, it took longer, with a couple of complications, but still came out great at about one-half the price of a new replacement. Plus I always feel good about doing things myself.

Dan

i also need to replace the headliner in my 79 elky. and i have a few questions. can i buy the fabric from walmart? on the can of 3m spray it says "do not use on automotive headliners" or something like that. does the spray work or do u have to fix it a few months after u spray it? will the 3m spray work on the foam? thx

can i buy the fabric from walmart? I suppose you can buy the fabric anywhere you can find fabric you want to use. I found a perfect match for the old headliner at Hancock's Fabric store.
on the can of 3m spray it says "do not use on automotive headliners" or something like that. does the spray work or do u have to fix it a few months after u spray it? 3M makes a number of spray adhesives. I used the Super 77 which is made for headliner installation. So far it is working fine with no indication of separation.
will the 3m spray work on the foam? thx The Super 77 worked just fine for me on the hard foam backing; don't know what it might do with foam-backed material.
Good Luck.

Dan

I'm going to have to install a new headliner soon. Any tips for removing the trim pieces to get the headliner out? I don't want to bend up the clips.

Hey, Ryan, I took the headliner out of my '78 and don't worry about bending the clips - they will break. All of them are plastic. I ended up breaking every one of them and didn't figure out how to get them out WITHOUT breaking them. I'm going to put some of that reflective water heater insulation on the inside of the roof before I put the redone headliner in to see if it helps keep the heat out. I'm either going to use some interior carpeting material or tweed, I haven't decided. Anyway, there are some companies that sell the clips if/when you snap them. Good luck.

I'm going to have to install a new headliner soon. Any tips for removing the trim pieces to get the headliner out? I don't want to bend up the clips.

I don't know about the '79, but on my '83 the clips along the front just went "snap! snap! snap!" No bending; they just broke and I replaced them. I don't recall that they were real expensive.

Dan

Where did you find the clips? I found some that are close enough for the front piece and wound up using clips that look like flat christmas trees. I don't know how I'm ever going to get them out if I ever have to do the job again. Hopefully the ABS plastic headliner holds up forever

Where did you find the clips? I found some that are close enough for the front piece and wound up using clips that look like flat christmas trees.

Talk to Robert at www.ecparts.net.

Also try here www.crestnetsales.com/restore/gmglassclips.htm This is a great site for matching any fasteners you may need for just about all Elkys, interior or exterior.

I replaced my wore out headliner material with interior carpet. To combat extra weight I layered the backer board with fiberglass mat and resin. No problems yet. The carpet is far to heavy for the visors I found that out the hard way!!

In this area, we have mobile headliner folks that come to you and replace the headliner. The ones that did mine did a very good job. Cost me $35.00.

I just received new clips for front and rear moulding from The El Camino Store. PM me if you want part numbers..

All of the garnish clips are still available at your local GM dealer.

Read this thread for all of the information. (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=17859&highlight=#17859)