Date: 7 Nov 1997 05:03:48 GMT From: "Jacob Family" <jacob4nopsamnet> Subject: Re: fallen headliner
There is only one real fix and that is to remove the headliner (not just the cloth but the whole headliner) and reglue the cloth. What happens is that there is a thin layer of foam between the cloth and the headliner substrate. This foam degrades over time due to temperature and eventually starts to crumble separating the cloth from the foam. Some people will tell you to inject some glue behind the cloth, but this is only a temporary fix and will eventually fail. Here's how to fix it permanently. Remove the entire headliner from the vehicle. Carefully remove the cloth from the headliner only if it is a color match to your interior, otherwise ripe it off. Scrape all of the foam from the headliner (and cloth if you must reuse it). If your cloth is in bad shape or it tore itself to shreds when you removed it, have no fear, go to a local fabric store and pick out a matching (or better quality) fabric to replace it. I usually replace the cloth as it is easier to work with and looks a lot nicer when finished. Use your old cloth headliner as a template, always cut it bigger than the headliner. Now that you have your cleaned up headliner and cloth its time to glue it. Do not use adhesives that come in a spray can. The first hot day and you will be wearing your headliner on your head as you drive. I've tried most of them and they do not work. Go and buy multi-purpose floor adhesive at your local hardware store or builders supply. You only need a small can. Apply this to the headliner substrate in a very thin even coat. I use a trowel with 1/16 in. saw teeth on it. You have to work fairly quickly so that it does not set up too much. Fold the cloth in half and lay it on covering 1/2 of the headliner. Carefully and gently press it down working from the middle to the outside edges. Then lay the other half out over the rest of the headliner and continue applying the cloth to the headliner. The secret is to not have applied too thick a coating of adhesive and not press too hard on the cloth when you apply it. This will keep the adhesive from bleeding through. Let this set over night and reinstall in your car. It will last forever. Hope this helps. John jacob4nopsamcom
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