Fixmyvw.com

Author Topic: Fix Headliner?  (Read 3177 times)

December 06, 2012, 07:46:59 pm

rs899

  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ***

  • 648
Fix Headliner?
« on: December 06, 2012, 07:46:59 pm »
I have the cloth, but the shell is cracked in several places on my Mk2 shell.

What's a good way to fix it?


'91 Jetta 1.6 NA, '82 Caddy 1.6NA, '81 Cabriolet,  4 Mercedes OM616/617s , 2 Triumphs and a Citroen DS19 in a pear tree.

Reply #1December 06, 2012, 09:27:46 pm

jboogie13

  • Junior

  • Offline
  • **

  • 175
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2012, 09:27:46 pm »
fiberglass? easily attainable at most hardware stores, sand it down to blend and cover in cloth. additionally is it possible to remove the headliner with the windshield installed?

Reply #2December 06, 2012, 09:35:30 pm

burn_your_money

  • Global Moderator
  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ****

  • 9005
  • Personal Text
    Bright, On
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2012, 09:35:30 pm »
On a Golf it's easy. On a Jetta you have to pull the rear window (or the front, but the rear is easier)
Tyler

Reply #3December 07, 2012, 07:12:34 am

rs899

  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ***

  • 648
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2012, 07:12:34 am »
^^ Is this true ????  It came out of my Jetta with a bit of a struggle, but, then, it was uh, flexible.

If I fix it, it won't go back in?  Really?  Hmmm...need to think....
'91 Jetta 1.6 NA, '82 Caddy 1.6NA, '81 Cabriolet,  4 Mercedes OM616/617s , 2 Triumphs and a Citroen DS19 in a pear tree.

Reply #4December 07, 2012, 07:45:44 am

jboogie13

  • Junior

  • Offline
  • **

  • 175
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2012, 07:45:44 am »
^^ Is this true ????  It came out of my Jetta with a bit of a struggle, but, then, it was uh, flexible.

If I fix it, it won't go back in?  Really?  Hmmm...need to think....
maybe if my plastic headliner bugs me enough one day i will make it a two piece headliner.  :P

Reply #5December 07, 2012, 09:22:30 am

burn_your_money

  • Global Moderator
  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ****

  • 9005
  • Personal Text
    Bright, On
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2012, 09:22:30 am »
I could be wrong. I only read it on the internets.
Tyler

Reply #6December 07, 2012, 09:44:18 am

TylerDurden

  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ***

  • 1508
  • Personal Text
    I have a VW problem.
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2012, 09:44:18 am »
I have managed it by going in/out through the passenger door. IIRC, it helps to take off the steering wheel.

Reply #7December 07, 2012, 10:21:10 am

jboogie13

  • Junior

  • Offline
  • **

  • 175
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2012, 10:21:10 am »
I could be wrong. I only read it on the internets.

well it cant be on the interbutts if its not true  ;D

Reply #8December 07, 2012, 10:36:56 am

rs899

  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ***

  • 648
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2012, 10:36:56 am »
I am pretty sure if you take the passenger seat out , or both, it will come out easily.

Still thinking about what to patch it with.  Fiberglass seems obvious, but, the thing is so fragile you couldn't smooth it out when dry.

Some guy on the vortex used aluminum tape (?)
'91 Jetta 1.6 NA, '82 Caddy 1.6NA, '81 Cabriolet,  4 Mercedes OM616/617s , 2 Triumphs and a Citroen DS19 in a pear tree.

Reply #9December 07, 2012, 12:38:07 pm

TylerDurden

  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ***

  • 1508
  • Personal Text
    I have a VW problem.
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2012, 12:38:07 pm »
Removal is cake...

Once the headliner is unfastened:
Tilt the front seats back all the way. Open the rear driver side door, so the headliner can rotate clockwise (viewed from overhead) as you guide the headliner out the passenger-front door, tilting it such that its corner (normally by the DS a-pillar) moves down low and the PS a-pillar corner moves up.






Reply #10December 07, 2012, 01:04:33 pm

jboogie13

  • Junior

  • Offline
  • **

  • 175
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2012, 01:04:33 pm »
awesome, thanks! sorry for jacking the thread OP

Reply #11December 07, 2012, 01:53:42 pm

TylerDurden

  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ***

  • 1508
  • Personal Text
    I have a VW problem.
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2012, 01:53:42 pm »
As for the fabric:

Mine is held up by thumbtacks in a decorative pattern. (random, lol) 

I've read (on the internet machine) that the old poly foam under the fabric can be carefully removed with a worn flappy sander (in a drill), then fabric can be successfully adhered to the headliner directly (or another layer of foam can be adhered in-between). The old yellow polyfoam will prevent effective binding by adhesives, hence removal is suggested.

Some folks just paint the headliner after getting the old fabric or vinyl off.

Reply #12December 07, 2012, 02:47:25 pm

burn_your_money

  • Global Moderator
  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ****

  • 9005
  • Personal Text
    Bright, On
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2012, 02:47:25 pm »
Removal is cake...

I like cake. Thanks Tyler.

As for repairs, I would get some of that mesh drywall tape and glue it onto the backside of the headliner.
Tyler

Reply #13December 08, 2012, 12:00:04 am

hillfolk'r

  • Veteran

  • Offline
  • ***

  • 1532
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #13 on: December 08, 2012, 12:00:04 am »
Yea maybe some of the drywall mesh tape,or you could use fiberglass mesh also...maybe some of the 2 part plastic weld crap from advance would work,just sqweegie the glue crap thru the cloth
Throttle cables ftw

Reply #14December 31, 2012, 09:35:04 pm

madmedix

  • Junior

  • Offline
  • **

  • 204
Re: Fix Headliner?
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2012, 09:35:04 pm »
Now this is something I have to do in my mk2 Jetta: It's out; and sanding off that foam is about as appealing as a hemorrhoid. I'm leaning towards the mesh drywall tape as a substrate; but I would like to try out a soundproofing idea: craft foam sheets. I've seen 1/16" and 1/8" thicknesses in craft shops. Anyone ever tried that?

Andy
'90 TD Jetta