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Author Topic: Headliner  (Read 5143 times)

May 05, 2005, 12:55:00 am

86AAZ

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Headliner
« on: May 05, 2005, 12:55:00 am »
My headliner is sagging pretty badly.  What is the best way to fix a headliner?  Can I just use some spray-on adhesive and keep using my current headliner, or will I have to make a new one?
Thanks!
-John



Reply #1May 05, 2005, 03:47:20 am

vwmike

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Headliner
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2005, 03:47:20 am »
Is this an American made Rabbit? Usually those are the ones to sag. They have a cardboard backing and the reason the material falls down is because the material is foam backed and the foam has deteriorated underneath. You can buy headliner material at most fabric stores. I would recommend pulling your headliner card out, scraping it clean, and taking it to an upholstery shop for the material to be glued on. Spray adhesive may work but I've heard that it will fall back down prematurely. I think I paid about $30 to have the upholstery shop glue the new material on for me.

Reply #2May 05, 2005, 11:49:17 pm

86AAZ

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Headliner
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2005, 11:49:17 pm »
My car is an 86 Jetta, and I think it's built in the US.  How can you tell?  Anyway, my headliner seems to have shrunk a little bit.  Is it possible to salvage it, or will I have to have new foam along with a new headliner?
Thanks for your help!
-John

Reply #3May 08, 2005, 11:49:57 am

racer_x

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Headliner
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2005, 11:49:57 am »
I've never seen the hard styrofoam piece shrink.

You should be able to get the new headliner cloth and have it installed on the shell you have.

The process isn't too hard to do yourself. You do have to get all the deteriorated foam rubber removed from the shell. Then you glue the new headliner cloth on. There are a couple of different spray adhesives that can be used. There's one from 3M that works well, holds up to the heat well and will stick and hold for a long time.

Reply #4May 09, 2005, 12:11:50 pm

86AAZ

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Headliner
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2005, 12:11:50 pm »
I'm not sure if it shrank, or just warped.  Either way, it's not fitting well.  I'll try to get some headliner cloth.  Thanks for your help!
-John

Reply #5August 16, 2005, 01:18:37 pm

A Guy

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Headliner
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2005, 01:18:37 pm »
I'll second the 3M spray on adheisive.  It's worth the extra couple of bucks.  
The guy I got the car from had ripped it out so we'll be replacing it ourselves one of these days.

 

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