The dreaded head liner sag

[Vetruck]

Well it just happened yesterday. I went out to the car and the rear headliner is saging near the rear glass. Some of it pressed back up on the left side, but the right side is hanging to the dome light(only thing holding it from going further).

I know the proceedures to get this thing out of the car (LR door open- gear shifter off and gear pulled back to low gear, RF seat down and reclined as far as possible- then out the RF door with a very tight fit.)

may question is: What is a good black fabric that anyone has used to redo a headliner? I see the basic foam lined material on EBAY and such. anything a little more exotic? I once used speaker box felt on the headliner of a Camaro years ago that worked great for 15 years until the car was sold so it is not my first rodeo doing a headliner. Just looking for options on material ideas. Must be black though. I would like suede, but I hear suede is real tough to contour the deep pockets near the front dome lights.

Dean

[Denlasoul]

I would like to do suede as well. Did not know of any complications, like contour and such. My vote would be black suede.

[RemoLexi]

I recently did my headliner and pillars in black denim. Denim doesn't seem to fade, durable and easy to clean. It also has some elastic properties. As for the glue, the best spray adhesive I found was the cheap $7 can of Permatex found at auto zone, it holds stronger then the 3M black can 08090 part number.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/remolexi/19D57A4B-DC8C-4420-82E3-37A7F4ECEB44-13805-000002BFD0D0926E_zpse5c97998.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/remolexi/67A8003B-FDF0-4B3E-B9D1-E8A2C4C2E279-13805-000002BFDF46AA2C_zps1471b343.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/remolexi/36F98A92-1A1F-480D-AC16-0DEAAE1C126C-13805-000002BFEC4F91A3_zpsca343465.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/remolexi/932C186A-66FE-42EA-8CEE-0071C3D78E96-13805-000002C03200DF18_zpsc4ca4d5f.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/remolexi/0FF71377-6D1D-44DB-B06B-42C83CE4D3BD-13805-000002C013F3BE17_zps91d450a9.jpg

[RemoLexi]

For more ideas, grab a beer and flip through this VW thread, these guys are NUTS!!

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4912750-The-Official-MKIV-Interior-Thread!!!!

[Denlasoul]

That looks surprisingly good, Remo!

[Vetruck]

That looks surprisingly good, Remo!I will second that!!!. That actually would go good with my Berber floor mats. Where did you find the material Remo?

[hvmercy]

That looks so good. Great job.

[RemoLexi]

Glad you guys like it! Joann your local sewing& fabric store carries blue and black denim. I think I scored the material on sale for $15! Denim is cheap! I chose denim because its just really odd inside a car and works well in my odd VW tdi daily driver.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/remolexi/A19FFCBD-0B68-41E9-92D6-556D56F212B2-13805-000002C0231F0FEC_zpsfb9cede3.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m478/remolexi/1440AC3B-57BE-41A9-BDD1-C61DEE86BBC4-21521-000004E269CB50EF_zps255e4b68.jpg

[Vetruck]

If you recall, here is my custom floor mats. That black Denim would compliment them well. I just want to check on some seat material because I want to put custom seat covers on before I ever have issues with the front seat upholstery. I want something along those lines. Ill have to go to Joann's and such and start researching stretchable fabrics.
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[RemoLexi]

I wouldn't put any seat covers. Those seats are vinyl and will last a long time. If anything, I would tint the windshield some extremely light tint to keep UV out, and make sure you have some other grade of tint all around.

On my 911 I have 90% tint on the windshield and front windows, you would never know its there but it does a good job protecting the leather dash from warpage.

On a 202 the hardest part to wrap I think is the B & C pillars. If you can get denim to stretch over that, you'll be fine. Or you can always have an upholstery shop help you run a stitch along the crease.

[Sulaco]

I've got really bad headliners in both my cars. I'm going to yank them and drop them off at a headliner ship. They say they'll cover them both for me for less than $100 in black felt material. I'm putting it off because I dread the job of removing/replacing them.

[Denlasoul]

Dean, I just got a coupon for Joann's: 50% off one item including fabric. I got it from Safeway grocery store. I'd give it to you buy my family will probably use it.

[BrendonC]

My headliner is starting to sag aswell now... So gonna be checking on this thread :P I dont know what material to use since my interior is tan. :(

[Denlasoul]

Hey Dean. I just got another Joann's coupon, 50% off. Want it? I can mail it to you.

[Vetruck]

That is very nice of you Den. Ill PM you.

[RemoLexi]

If I had a tan interior, they sell this fabric that looks like something you would use to sew a scarecrow, this ugly tan threaded material sort of like a potatoe bag but would look pretty cool as a headliner !

[Vetruck]

I need to go into there and brainstorm. I am actually a somewhat an interior decorator. I have many many clients over the years that look to me for ideas in decorating and remodeling their homes. Kind of get a knack for unique ideas after 30+ years in the business. You are on the right track Remo, Something different, but still classy though. I am a nut for the harlequin interior in the Ferrari's, but usually on the seats and door panels only.
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I may try something like this though. Line the pillars with plain fabric the same color.
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[REST_89]

Have you re upholstered the sun roof door at all?
Mine needs to be done since all of the leather fell off. Any suggestions on what would stick good on that type of material?

[RemoLexi]

I still have to do mine, been lazy, but all the material should be peeled off and sand down the old glue much as you can.

[Vetruck]

Have you re upholstered the sun roof door at all?
Mine needs to be done since all of the leather fell off. Any suggestions on what would stick good on that type of material?
The key to getting fabric to stick is spraying both surfaces that will meet. You have a little window of time but mot too much. Most people spray the glue and them immediately try to tact it together- you can not do that. You need to read the can and follow directions with time,t emp and tackiness of the glue prior to meeting surfaces.

The other headliner I did about 15 years ago I use the 3m black can stuff and it fell apart in a year. I then redid it with the 3M super77 spray and it lasted until I got rid of the car a decade later. I do fabric in homes on projects sometimes where I make custom headboards etc on rare occations. I always use that 3M super77.

[Vetruck]

I need to buy another car so the wifey can drive. I have 5 cars but this is the only car she either likes to drive or I will let her drive. ( I have an old 85 Eldorado I try to get her to use but she hates it) Problem I have is projects like this, the transmission, the fan assembly- I have little jobs for this car stacking up but everytime Im off work she has this car with her at work or gone with friends somewhere. I never have time to work on it where it can sit there a day or two. Frustrating. Like right now I have time but she's leaving in an hour and will be gone all day....so- Ill go work on my racecar for a race tomorrow and go play.

[BrendonC]

So I removed both my headliner and sun roof visor... I ended up doing the sun roof visor and it came out nice. but had a very difficult time doing it. Decided to get the headliner done professionally so lets hope it comes out nice.

[Vetruck]

I still haven;t had time to go to JoAnn's Fabrics and look in person, but was just browsing around on their website for idea's. Tis has really sparked Both Marlee's and my fancy. Something along the lines of this fabric might be a possible choice.
http://www.joann.com/utility-fabric--paris-stamp-burlap/13016894.html#start=109&sz=54

[RemoLexi]

Nice!!

[Denlasoul]

I like! Its a nice unique touch. Btw, I did send that coupon out. Should be there in a day or so.

[REST_89]

Right on, your Headliner looks great with that Denim color. Ill have to redo mine real soon.

[chorixo80]

http://www.mbfaq.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=230362&hilit=tapizado+techo

[chorixo80]

This is my work

[mbsickness]

This is my work

That looks great. What material did you use?

[Edwin28]

Nice headliner guys. I'm also into doing mine as well. It's starting to sag. That black denim marerial looks great. Something I would choose to keep it simple and not going too crazy.

[chorixo80]

That looks great. What material did you use?

leather imitation

[Vetruck]

I have not done mine yet because I still am not completely sold on what I bought. It will look fine, but I guess I am waiting see some fabric something to just scream "use me"

[Vetruck]

Finally got time to work on this today. What a pain in the ass. There was orange sticky crumbs smeared everywhere by the time I finished getting everything apart. Glad that is over. It will be a piece of cake putting it back together though. I should have all the parts refinished within two weeks. Still debating on the fabric I bought. Ill try piece on the a-pillar plastic and see how it looks in the car prior to doing the headliner.

[BrendonC]

The Orange sticky crumbs was the worst.. My sunroof shade had completely came apart and all that orange stuff got on the metal beams. Cleaning that stuff out was a PITA.

[Vetruck]

So far so good. I need to do the pilars next. She wanted that posh look. Kind of like her Gucci bags I guess. It actually looks really good next to the other interior colors. Gives it a little Rodeo Dr.(Beverly Hills) feel...lol.

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EDIT TO ADD INFO: This is Burlap from JoAnn's Fabrics (Thank you again Den for the discount coupon). The burlap does not stretch hardly at all so it is real tough in the sunvisor countour areas, but with a little finesse it managed to lay down well/ The glue I used is the 3M Super Trim Adhesive Yellow (Automotive). It was very nice stuff to work with. I sprayed two coats on both sides as per directions. 3m also has a "headliner and trim adhesive- ( also automotive) but is not as heavy duty nor as heat resistant but it allows more working time. This Super Yellow stuff you have to work quickly and with a buddy system- do not try it yourself- too hard to handle for one person. The headliner adhesive gives 60mins working time, this heavy duty stuff sticks on contact and only allows for about 20 mins tops even thought the can says 4 tact, 30 mins working time.

I started by laying the material flat upside down, spaying it completely once, then the headliner backer board- that used almost one full can- then immediately went for the second coat right away. Gave it about 2 minutes after that and started to assemble the rear center first(Since I finished the second coat there about 5-6 mins earlier and was already tacking), working towards the sunroof opening with both sides folded towards the center line still. I then went right and left off that while my buddy held the fabric up in front of the sunroof. Once that was tacked enough and rubbed in for about 5 mins, he grabbed one side up front and I grabbed the other corner as we each pulled and pressed around the sunroof opening to meet in the front center. LF and RF tabs of the fabric lay over in triangle form at this point I started working the dome lamp and visor pockets until the entire fabric lay in place.

The beauty of this yellow spray is that the burlap is somewhat see through with mesh type square openings. The glue is pretty much the same color as the fabric so any bleed through was not an issue- nor was too much build up of adhesive. It really bits in place after about 10 mins tact time and is stuck dry in 20 mins. The can says 48 hrs "cure" time so I will keep it in the cool garage out of sunlight for another week, then I will install it.

[Denlasoul]

This is my work
Looks great!

[Denlasoul]

Vetruck- I like it. It is different and compliments your stock interior well. Good stuff you got going on, wish I was closer need mine redone. ;)

[Vetruck]

My camera is terrible. The color looks like crap in the pictures. I posted it on my fb page and so far there has been 3 friends that have now seen it in person. All 3 said the pictures do not do it justice. Here is also a pic I took last night of my interior with my crappy cell phone.2691

[Vetruck]

I have to be honest and say I wasn;t real sold on this fabric from the start. The wifey kindof help me pick it out and she likes it. Once I did it I thought it looked better, however, once installed I do not like the texture of th eburlap. Seems kind of cheap to me- however she seems to love it so it is all that is important. Her car.

[Abbaso]

Headliner looks good makes me wish I'd done something like that when I had mine redone. Guy even messed it up somehow cos if I tap the headliner I get a rattle. Any suggestions what it could be Vetruck its got sunroof aswell.

[Vetruck]

Headliner looks good makes me wish I'd done something like that when I had mine redone. Guy even messed it up somehow cos if I tap the headliner I get a rattle. Any suggestions what it could be Vetruck its got sunroof aswell.

Two push tabs in the rear near the rear glass, one metal clip the pushes back inside the rear dome light. Two "slip clips" that connect when the headliner foam is pressed towards the rear glass on install, the metal trim molding that u-channel inserts over the front lip of the sunroof opening, the front dome light area is held by a 3 screw bracket under the rear view mirror, sunvisor screws, and finally the side hand rail screws. That is all the possibilities of a rattle.

[chip]

Some really great looking headliners here.I wasn't even thinking of changing mine but now I'm considering it, although I'd better sort the rust on the outside first!

[Vetruck]

I never posted any finished shots of the headliner. Mainly because my camera sucks. Here are two I shot of the rear area. I opted NOT to cover the B-pilars in this material because it does not stretch. I just sanded and painted 5 coats of paint onto them.
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[Dirty C-komp]

Dean, I just got a coupon for Joann's: 50% off one item including fabric. I got it from Safeway grocery store. I'd give it to you buy my family will probably use it.

If you get the JoAnn app you get the coupons right on your phone!
*auto upholstery shop owner*

[Turnpike]

is there a DIY write up on the removal of the headliner?

[LesZapata]

I'm ready for the fabric, but I'm not 100% sure what type to apply. I have so many ??????????????????????????????????

The fabric has me worried it'll stretch with moisture and time, so I thought of imitation leather, but then there's heat. I live in SoCal. I don't want to do all this work and end up with a big failure.
Also, what size foam did you use?

[Vetruck]

I did not use any foam. I just rubber all of the old glue off the headliner backing-it is a crumbly mess but basically will just rub off with a dry rag. I remember looking up and finding a video on youtube for removal of the headliner. I was able to lower and fully recline my passenger seat and slightly bend the headliner foam to get it out the right front door. I am also in So Cal and this burlap is so incredibly durable I do not think I will ever have a problem with it ever again in the car's lifetime.

[Vetruck]

A tip: There were two rear clips that are hidden holding the backing to the roof. Once you remove the rear dome light the rear is released by moving the entire backing panel towwards the rear of the car about 1 1/2"/ Do not try to pull down on the rear until you slide it backwards in direction.

[vaspen]

Black leather you must! :D