Repairing vehicle headliner

IrishCannon

IrishCannon

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Can someone recommend the best option to repair a vehicle headliner? Is it a lost cause unless you completely replace?

The humidity has caused the headliner fabric, where it meets the windshield, to start falling down. I considered getting either the 3M headliner spray or fabric glue to repair it but I'm not sure if it's going to work or not.

Regarding full replacement, this DIY seems a little out of my realm, and I'm not sure what the cost would be at a shop.

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I've used the 3m on several headliners. Best to have it out so you ain't working over your head and gravity will work against you with the glue. But I've done it with it in place, just a little more aggravating
 
It wont look great, but, staples or thumb tacks.
A lots of times, once the foam under the headliner gives out, they spray adhesives don't really work:
There is nothing clean for them to adhere to, they are just clinging to the different little bits of foam dissolving, and will keep coming undone.
Additionally, the headliner will now be soaked in fluid/gel, and wont look the same.
Putting ina new one is also a pain, as you have to fold it just so to no leave any creases, remove the A, B, and C pillars.
You can also sometimes find one at a junk yard that is not yet sagging, for cheap and try it.
Good luck
 
I tried repairing my truck with 3M. Did not hold because foam was old. $200 later it was all replaced. Now the trim is shattered. That’s an old Dodge for you.
 
Straight pins for the win!
 
Back in my teens I work at an upholstery shop. They are not the hardest job to replace. Getting them out and back in without cracking the backing board is the hardest part. Gluing the new one on is not hard just takes some patience and maybe an extra set of hands.
 
I've repaired a few. The foam has usually deteriorated, which makes the glue not adhere.

Buy new headliner fabric, foam, and spray on contact cement on amazon. For the contact cement you want the thinner stuff, not the thick stuff you use on laminate countertops.

Remove the headliner. Peel off the old fabric. Use a brush or nylon wire wheel to scrape off all the old foam.

Carefully glue on the new foam. When it dries carefully glue on the new fabric. Start in the middle and slowly work your way out, gluing and stretching as you go. Contact cement doesn't give second chances.

Youtube it, I think that's how I learned. Mine turned out better than the hacks on youtube.
 
You can do it yourself. When the foam starts to separate there is no stopping it and its gonna get worse and start blowing foam bits everywhere.

Watch some youtubes, remove all the trim and take the headliner out. Remove old fabric and scrape. Do the headliner half at a time. The fabric should be able to be purchased online or a local upholstery auto shop. Lots of videos out there. Biggest thing is don't rush the glue. Have to let it dry to a nice tacky state then put together then fold over and do the other half.

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Spartan01 said:
It wont look great, but, staples or thumb tacks.
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Dated a girl in high school that had one stapled. Not sure if it was like that when they got it, or if her dad did it. I’d bet there were 300+ staples in the ceiling. 🤣
 
OldNascar said:
Call around auto upholstery shops and price, cheaper than doing it yourself.
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I think this may be the best option. I'll make a few phone calls.

TBH, I considered a couple thumb tacks or staples for right now because you wouldn't even see them where this is at. In the future though I'm assuming the rest will start to go. Gonna be a hot summer.

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I have used 3M spray adhesive with good success. From repairing them to adhering new material to the backing board, it works good. Just let it dry down a bit first before reattaching it to the headliner board. It gets really sticky in 15-30 seconds after spraying.
 
Get the wifes hot glue gun out and tack it back up. It won't be perfect but the glue should penetrate the foam and stick to it.

My truck needs the same treatment but I'm lazy.
 
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Two options I would recommend would be the upholstery shop route and just pay the man to save time and sanity in long run if you want it to look factory since it will more than likely keep falling if you do not replace/clean the backer board when they repair it.

Other option is most cars or trucks the roof is painted underneath the color of the car so if you do not have consoles and electronics made into it you could just take it out depending type of car or truck how it would look. Older vehicles and trucks it looked ok to do this but some of newer ones not so much.
 
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