Suburban head liners

[metalux]

I've been looking at headliners where everyone getting there's ? I do interiors so might just stitch one up, there all over 700 that I've found.

 

[YakkoWarner]

I removed the falling and largely decaying fabric from mine - the composite board material was undamaged just the fabric and adhesive was dead. If I could figure out how to remove the composite board without damage I'd just sand it down and paint it with a similar-to-interior color and not bother with fabric again at all.

 

[metalux]

I don't have anything up there, wasn't sure if it was a board or hung material on rods like some cars. Guess I need to do some more research.

 

[bucket]

I removed the falling and largely decaying fabric from mine - the composite board material was undamaged just the fabric and adhesive was dead. If I could figure out how to remove the composite board without damage I'd just sand it down and paint it with a similar-to-interior color and not bother with fabric again at all.

The headliner material is a foam-backed cloth. The foam backing is what fails. All the decomposed foam remains need to be lightly BRUSHED off of the headliner board so there is a good foundation to glue on the fabric of your choice. GM used two different types of headliner board material and while one puts up with a little more abuse, neither one takes kindly to sanding. Cleaning with a stiff-bristled nylon brush is a safe way to go to remove the old foam remnants.

 

[YakkoWarner]

I used a shop-vac and brush to get most of the loose foam off so i wouldn't be breathing the stuff. Good to know about not sanding. Going to be a while before I even consider it since the whole truck is dead again at the moment anyway.

 

[WFO]

The headliner material is a foam-backed cloth. The foam backing is what fails. All the decomposed foam remains need to be lightly BRUSHED off of the headliner board so there is a good foundation to glue on the fabric of your choice. GM used two different types of headliner board material and while one puts up with a little more abuse, neither one takes kindly to sanding. Cleaning with a stiff-bristled nylon brush is a safe way to go to remove the old foam remnants.

I wonder if, after brushing off the headliner board, a coat of spray paint on the board would help adhesion even more.

 

[bucket]

I wonder if, after brushing off the headliner board, a coat of spray paint on the board would help adhesion even more.

I don't think so. I believe that would actually hinder adhesion.

One thing I have read can be done and I do believe would help (especially on a headliner board that is getting a bit loose and floppy) is to apply a coat of fiberglass resin. Although you'll have to make sure the board is well supported and properly contoured as the resin hardens. Suburban headliner boards are also prone to sagging and actually reforming like that. A good heavy layer of resin might actually soften it so it can be reshaped and then of course, possibly cure while holding the correct shape.

 

[awar]

I had my 84 Suburban headliner redone when I purchased it in 1998. The upholstery shop removed the droopy cloth and the foam and installed new fabric/foam. We also installed a couple Crown Victoria dome/reading lights at the same time. I traded work with the upholstery shop so I never got a price. It was better than new when done.

 

[Goldie Driver]

I've been looking at headliners where everyone getting there's ? I do interiors so might just stitch one up, there all over 700 that I've found.

Some info here for you :

1977 GMC Headliner Question

Hoping someone can help me find the correct headliner for my son’s 1977 GMC Sierra Classic. The interior is buckskin but I cannot find the perforated headliner that is in the truck currently. Am I missing something? Thanks In Advance ER

www.gmsquarebody.com

Headliner questions

This was an pretty much exact match for my 85 with burgundy interior

www.gmsquarebody.com

What have you done to your square lately??

Ordered a "beige" perforated headline for Goldie today : https://www.classicindustries.com/shop/1981/chevrolet/truck/parts/?q=W73911 What I have is white, and the beige seems to be the closest to white, which of course, they don't offer. :rolleyes: The beige shows as being perforated on the...

www.gmsquarebody.com

I went with the Classic Headliner material - not perfect, but close. The trim shop had to do some repair work on the backer but it turned out well and does not sag , which was the original issue.

I do miss the snakebite pattern, though ...

 

[metalux]

Thanks everyone, mine came with everything removed, didn't get a board or anything. And wasn't sure what went up there, so guess I'm hunting parts. It's been sitting in a building for over 20 years, rust free nice truck. Motors out but good. Maybe all have some luck finding a used board if they last, I'm familiar with headliners and cleaning off the old foam. With a quick glance I thought it might have been the older style bow rod type, I didn't at all think it had a glued to board style.

 

[awar]

Car-part.com is a listing online for commercial wrecking yards advertising available parts. You can search by your Zip code to see who has what in their yards. You might be able to find a donor rig for the trim and the backing boards. They are two piece, front and back if I remember correctly. I got rid of my Burb in 2005. My crew cab does not have a headliner of any kind. It was a custom deluxe when new.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

What we ended up doing on our 79 and 84 square body Burbs, was getting some thin rolled automotive carpet (iirc from Walmart auto department, about 25 years ago) and gluing it to the boards. We got extra top bows at the yards and installed them, to cover up the seams; the carpet was only about 24-30" wide. We used 3M spray trim adhesive, the professional grade. Held up well in the Texas heat.....