Headliner Install! Pics!! questions!! advice!!?

[kraka]

So, at this moment, I am half way through with my headliner install, about 3-4 hours into it, and I am kind of stuck until I get some questions answered...For you people that want to see how it's coming so far, here are some pics:

Sagging headliner:

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Taking the parts out:

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Headliner Out of the car:

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Car on a diet:

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Ugly thing ain't it?

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Using the wire brush:

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I can't get any more off!

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[kraka]

Ok, now here are my questions-
1. I can't seem to get everything off, I will include the pic, but look, as you can see, a little bit of molded on factory adhesive remains...It won't come off with any of my wire brushes or using liquid adhesive remover...any ideas, do I have to get everything off?:

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2. I chose a headliner fabric but now I am re-thinking my color choice..car is dark blue, fabric is lighter/mid blue color...should I just get black??:

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2. Lastly, is this adhesive spray ok, I know most use 3M, but I found this vehicle issue headliner spray and thought, it'll do.. what do you think??

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4. Most importantly, lots of bits and pieces have ripped off my headliner...the headliner is just a piece of styrofoam basically, so it rips so easily...As I was removing all the caps and screws, small pieces of headliner were ripped or ripped off...Can I still cover it up and it will fit, or do I need a new one...What should I do to fix these?? Tape? Glue??

sorry for the long post: I will finish it'll all up tomorrow with your guys help..Later maybe I will make another tech article, but we already have enough of them so whatever

 

[95-DSM-RS]

First off the color is something you must carefully pick because if you do the rest of the interior you want it to match but if your just fixing it black or grey even would look good.

Second that spray is fine to use. I know a guy that does auto upholstery and headliners and that is the same stuff he uses. I have only used 3m in the past but all in all its pretty much the same.

 

[Quasimondo]

What about sanding off the remaining bits that you can't brush off?

 

[95-DSM-RS]

I didnt understand your last question totally are you talking about chunks missing from the foam?

 

[DSMRevolution]

Ok, lets get some of your questions answered!

1. No, you do not have to get all remaining adhesive off the headliner. If the adhesive/remaining crud can not be removed using a wire brush then it isn't going to affect the new fabric "staying" bond. In other words it is not worth spending the time to remove every last bit of adhesive. Once you apply the new fabric, that remaining adhesive/crud will be hardly noticeable if at all.

2. Personally I think that black would look better. That decision is up to you though!

3. That spray adhesive that you purchased will work perfect. Make sure to follow the directions exactly as it says.

4. I have redone a few headliners that have had small tears or chunks missing and they have turned out great still. I actually did one last week. If it worries you at all, on the back side of the headliner (side that touches the roof of your DSM) you can cover those tear spots with a tape such as duct tape. I am not sure how well that will adhere to the headliner, but it is better then nothing.

I hope this helps with your questions!

 

[kraka]

Thank-you guys so much...I am going to back to the fabric store, grab some black fabric, spary both the fabric and headliner, put it on, and see if I can install it back in without too much hassle...When I mean headliner foam has come off, I mean that the single piece of headliner is just so delicate that it's literally ripped off in many places...I guess I will just try taping things on and hope it stays...Some more questions if you guys don't mind, since I know you guys love answering my questions..ha:

1. What should I do about getting the interior panels back in...They seem to be very hard to snap back in now that they are out...I was planning on re-velcroing both my A-pillars, but what should I do about the other rear panels?? Will velcro work there too??

2. How long should I wait for the adhesive to dry on the fabric stuck on the headliner before installing it back into the interior?? Now guides have said, so I don't want to install it too early, and definitely don't want to end up waiting till night..

My car has to make a trip out to AMS this week so it has to be done right away, I don't want them having to deal with some interior issues while they're messing with my car...Thank-you guys so much!! Reputation points for all!!

 

[95-DSM-RS]

The a Pillers Should just snap right in with the clips unless they are broke of course. Velcro would hold them if thats your last resort.

 

[DSMRevolution]

1. You shouldn't have to worry about using Velcro. The A-Pillars have some sort of "industrial" grade Velcro on them and it shouldn't have to be replaced unless it pulled off of the plastic. If it did pull off of the plastic then I still wouldn't really worry since there are clips all along the pillar that will hold it in place securely. As far as the rest of the plastic panels, they have the same clips on them that the A-Pillar has so they will just snap back into place.

2. I have installed headliners the same day without any problems. I would recommend waiting about 12 hours though. 12 hours probably is not necessary, but it will give you a sense of reassurance. If you are in a hurry though, 3-5 hours should be alright.

 

[a_scobel]

Why not just buy a new one??

 

[carwizard1]

My headliner was broken in half by the bozo who put the sunroof in (previous owner) so, I wire brushed everything. Put the pieces back together. Then taped the back side with duck tape to hold everything. Brushed yellow wood glue all over the front. Then draped tissue paper over the entire front side. Pressed the paper into the glue on the headliner. Brushed more yellow wood glue on the paper. Make sure you don't miss any spots or it'll tear. I did this a total of 5 layers. The headliner is like a sheet of fiberglass now. I have yet to see how it holds up to being in a car environment for a while. I can't think of any reasons it won't last. This worked really well for me. I did this because the gray suede type fabric I chose didn't have a foam backing. I didn't want the imperfections of the foam showing up. This made the liner as smooth as glass. I recommend scuffing the final surface before applying adhesive. Any fine sandpaper or equivalent should be fine. Just thought I'd share.

We don't buy new ones cause they're probably $200+ from Satan!

 

[kraka]

Well, I finally attached the fabric to the headliner...It might have been a rushed process, but I was afraid that the glue would dry before I put the 2 pieces together...I think it looks good so far but I haven't attemped to cut the extra pieces off...BTW: I did go with black and although everything shows up, it looks real hot!

Anyway, my problems with the pillars/panels is that the factory clips either don't line up for a good fit anymore, or they are broken and bend...So, I just got like 2 yards of velcro and I am going to go to town!! Hopefully that will work, it may look ghetto-fabbed but at least it will stay sort of...I will install the headliner tomorrow, but I am not sure where to put all the factory clips and screws anymore!! I feel like such an idiot b/c I tried to be careful but I really do not remember where everything goes...Oh well wish me luck..

Ok last question I swear.......again:
1). In between the factory headliner and the metal roof of the car, there is a sheet of some kind of foam or whatever that is held on by the factory tape..That piece seems to be sagging because 15 yo tape can only do so much..If I get the headliner installed, will it start to sag again because of the piece of foam??? It would be a real pain to go through this process again so any advice would be helpful...You guys are the best

 

[phunny]

what kind of material did you use? i got some from walmart before and it didnt work at all.

 

[DSMRevolution]

Your headliner will not sag because of that layer of foam (actually its a sort of insulation) you described. The plastic clips that you removed when removing the headliner from the vehicle are what hold the headliner to the roof, so that insulation will be no affect whatsoever on it.

I apologize if this above is kind of hard to understand. I have been on a lack of sleep for the last 16 hours I am sure you knew what I meant though. I hope the headliner turns out the way you want it to.

 

[kraka]

Thanks for everyone's help...I think I used just plain black felt, I really do not know whatelse to call it...Maybe it is cloth?? Whatever, it is almost identical to the original material but maybe a little but thicker and in a better color..

Anway, I will take pictures tomorrow, I have been very lazy lately and have not got around to installing it...Hopefully it will all be done in time, it's a race against the clock now between installing the headliner and driving the car down to AMS to drop it off for the mechanics, I may have to make the trip without it!

BTW: I almost picked up the 3M adhesive people use but on the back in the directions it clearly said: "Not for use with automotive headliners" so I just got the nice real automotive headliner spray