headliner install

I asked the same question of my Interior guys and they said there would be no way to keep it from wrinkling if they glued the two together first. I did not do it myself - but I was there the day they did mine and 2 very experienced guys had a hard time getting the cloth on smoothly over the foam that was already glued on (the day before). You are brave to attempt it yourself.

Rick

 

I recovered the headliner of my GTBi with leather because of foam disintegration (sag) plus hair oil stains on the cotton weave material over driver's head. I obtained the closed cell foam inner layer from a local auto upholstery shop, same stuff they use for older GM sedans. Used special 3m adhesive (not contact glue), the product number of which has changed because of a no-no EPA gas propellant. Ask your auto upholstery guy for recommendations.

Note Berlinettas have a removable fiberglass shell also enabling the job to be accomplished easily on a table. My replacement foam is slightly thicker and more substantial than the original but has a great soft feel under the leather. I also used identically recovered the package shelf noting some have not used any foam under the leather which I think they eventually will come to regret.

Definitely glue foam to frame first...otherwise wrinkles will plague you. But leather is great to work with. Any difficulty would come from using too much adhesive. Remember, contact cement gives you one shot...I didn't use that so I was able to slide the material slightly in place.

 

Note the cars with the original leather rear window/shelf option from the factory did not have foam under the leather.