I know there has been some conversations about our sagging headliners and I know there was another thread that documented a headliner replacement, but can't seem to find it. I did my headliner last night and thought I would document it for others... My goal was to try and reuse the original headliner material, because finding an exact match seemed to be a challenge and I was not looking to replace all the material on the other items such as pillars and visors that were in good shape. Through doing this I did find that the headliner similar to our dash's on the early models do not really have enough material and I feel like that the headliner has shrunk a little. So when going back with the same material you have to be really careful with getting it perfectly aligned or you won't be able to cover the entire panel.

First start by rolling down both windows, I also opened the back hatch just to allow more light in. Then you can start disassembling. You have to remove the two front visor clips and back hooks that are in the C pillar with a small pick and philips screwdriver, also you have to remove the two front visors with a T-20 and unplug the harnesses that are for the visor lights. Next remove the overhead console by pulling straight down on it with steady and even pressure so you do not break any plastic and unplug the harness. You then can start removing the A pillars, they both just pop off, driver side you will need to unplug harness for mic for hands-free if you have one. Then the B pillars, again they pop off but they do slide under the C pillars, so you have to pop off the front part of the C pillar to allow the B pillar to be removed and re-installed easier. The C pillars do not need to be completely removed, but you need to pop the first holding clip that is closes to the front so that they hang down out of the way. There is one clip in the back of the headliner that is centered that holds the back of the headliner to the roof of the car. When I dropped the headliner down past the rear view mirror the headliner slide out from this clip, so you will need to pull the clip and reattach it when your reinstalling later. The headliner can now be dropped down and turned sideways in the car and removed through either door, although I think it would probably be easiest to remove out the passenger side, I removed out of the drivers side because of how I had my car parked in the garage. I found that it was better to remove the back of the headliner out of the car first, so keep that in mind on which way you want to remove it from the car. After the headliner has been repaired you simply reinstall in the reverse order. As for cleaning up the headliner panel and material I used a common household soft bristle brush first to knock off most of the foam backing and then used a hand towel to wipe both the panel and material to get any small remnants of foam left by the brush. I used 3m super yellow headliner adhesive to reinstall the headliner material to the panel without any foam.

 

Very nice. I chickened out and over-paid to have mine done at Headliner Magic in Garland. They did do a nice job.

What adhesive did you use?

 

Updated: 3m Super Yellow headliner adhesive, I guess time will tell if it holds up...

 

Fantastic and extra points for defying convention!!

So would foam not have been possible.

Secondly, I have always wondered quite a bit why folks dont reuse the headliner material. Please elaborate if you can.

Also you are in the wrong business, you should be headliner restorer in chief.

 

I was told that the old material re-use would not last as long and would not re-apply as smooth as new material with the foam backing. Apparently, I was bamboozled!!!

 

I could have gone back with foam, but just thought I would try and eliminate the problem that caused the sagging headliner in the first place. If it weren't for the foam deteriorating the headliner most likely would have never became detached. As for appearance you cannot see any difference with or without foam, now you can tell if you touch it, but I don't make a habit of that. I did not notice any difference in road noise today while driving, so I don't think the foam does much for that.

 

Cause you showed up in a Jaaag Richard. Were they able to get you the exact material and color or did they talk you out of that too.

 

Mine without foam is harder to the touch now obviously, but it is very smooth and level...

 

This should be in the How To Quick Links thread.

 

I suspect the trend for using foam on headliners started with finding a way to make vinyl headliners more upholstered looking. (perhaps someone can shed the right light on this)
The Alacantra already has a soft feel.

You made the right choice, the headliner was shot and was going to be thrown out anyway. I bet it lasts longer, if anything that adhesive will be hard to remove. I have to do the same job on my Toyota jeep, and the factory adhesive has to be ground off.

 

Of course!

The material and color are almost identical to the A Pillar cover material. They had about 3 different similar colors for me to choose from. I am happy with the results.

 

Strong work. I will be doing this in the winter when I do my dash.

 

Is the headliner still holding? I'm about to attempt this using 3m Headliner adhesive...

 

Question:

Does the foam padding need to be seperated from
the alcantera peice and disgarded?
there appears to be 2 layers of foam
Be very careful removing the side trim
it is brittle and will crack

 

Do I remove this foam layer ir leave it?

 

Decided to remove the foam padding behind the headliner, (2 layers) and glue the
headliner cloth directly to the board after cleaning thoroughly, results were fantastic!
Be very careful not to spray too much 3m headliner adhesive to the cloth or board as
this WILL seap through, I used a mildish solvent to remove excess glue (brake cleaner)