PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Well like every Bonneville put there, my headliner is starting to sag. I am have read plenty of threads on how to replace the headliner with a new foam one, but I was just curious on what other kind of options do I have?

I mean, is there anything besides a foam fabric that I can replace the old stuff with?

I feel as if I am going to replace the headliner, I don't want to replace it with something so that it will look stock. I'd rather spend the time to make it look better than factory..

Currently the car is a tan exterior with almost everything in the inside tan also, with tan leather seats... but a new black radio with color changing lights...

If I would go with a new headliner I'm curious how black would look. I'd also consider making other items in the car black too.


Any ideas?

Just an opinion, but none of the options you mentioned sound like they'd look "better than factory" to me.

It's a headliner. If you pull it out to re-cover it, you might consider applying a layer of Dynamat on the roof interior before installing your re-covered headliner. I think the foam-backed fabric is really the best material choice to cover the sloping curves of the headliner, but if you wanted to do something fancy I'm sure you could get an upholsterer to do it up in leather or something, but personally I don't see any advantages to it. Also, the foam offers some [minor?] insulating characteristics from radiant heat transfer of the sun beating down over your head. I'd stick with the foam fabric. Sure you can change the color if you like a different color, but that's really just a personal preference thing. To someone else, changing the color might lower the resale value, for example, but then most of us don't buy a Bonneville for its resale value, so go with whatever color does it for you.

The headliner itself is made of compressed fiberglass and is not particularly smooth. The foam simply covers up the surface imperfections and offers a little give for a tight fit with all your trim.

Ok, thanks for the suggestions.. I didn't want to do anything crazy, like leather or some fabric with a repeating design on it, just maybe something that would grab your attention more than a normal tan headliner.

I'm leaning towards keeping it factory color, but I didn't know what other people have done...

Maybe I'll attempt this project when it isn't 92 degrees outside lol.

I have thought of maybe a carbon fiber look but I think black will clash with our tan to much

If you do it yourself, use PLENTY of the 3M headliner spray adhesive if you're using rattle cans. It would be even better if you can find someone with an industrial adhesive spraygun to spray the adhesive on. But I've had reasonably good success using the rattle cans if you use plenty of it. Do not go light, or your headliner will detach whenever it gets warm out.

I thought harofreak00 did a "how to" on headliner recovering somewhere. Anyone have the link for it?

Yeah, I was thinking carbon fiber also, but I think I actually want to match it with the dark gray of the plastic trim panel around the gauges and radio.

My dad's '96 bonneville has dropped almost completely off... Maybe i'll through some pictures on here for a laugh..

Here's that tutorial if you were looking for it..

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=14&t=483

Suede (real or faux) is a popular material among a few car groups. You can also wrap pillars in it, among other things. I bought some burnt orange faux suede and made a shift boot and handbrake boot for my car to make the interior pop a little. Might do some of the bright silver trim on the dash and doors as well.... Be careful with the spray adhesive on the faux stuff, and other materials as it can bleed if you go heavy.