Can everybody that has redone the A-pillars and windshield header tell me when they did it and what adhesive they used? I plan on tackling this project this weekend and just want to make sure I get something that lasts.

It looks like Reverend Sam used 3M type 77 ($10), other mentions I've seen were Permatex Body Shop Heavy-Duty Headliner Adhesive ($12), and 3M Headliner & Fabric Adhesive ($20).

Thank you!

 

Either the Permatex or the 3M products will work fine. Be aware that some folks have noted the type 77 may dry yellow and could show thru the beige headliners.

 

I used the Permatex Headliner adhesive on mine 4 years ago and it is still holding strong.

 

My A-pilar starts to show some wrinkles; Anyone ever use insulation foam (injected through a needle behind the fabric)?

Should I be the first to try it.....?

 

When I purchased the A-pillar recovery material for my wife's XK8 in February 2012, my long-time auto interior and ragtop restoration shop owner (I have a 34-year business relationship with him) recommended a 12-ounce spray can of Keyston Brothers General Purpose Adhesive #4011 to do the job. It was a few bucks cheaper than the 3M spray adhesive he also sells and he told me that it was every bit as good as 3M and probably a little stronger and more summertime heat-resistant as well. He also felt that it was a bit more bleed-through resistant than the 3M spray adhesive....

So I took his advice and went with the #4011 spray can that he recommended. My A-pillar recovery job still looks exactly like it did the day after I after I finished the job and I still have about three-quarters of the spray can contents remaining in the event that I need to do any more material recovering....

 

No you should not. You will never get it smooth and you will still have the issue of the old foam breaking up and showing thru the fabric.

The A-pillars are very easy to fix. Just pull them off and do it right. It will last much, much longer and you will be happier with the results.

Quick fixes seldom are.

 

Agreed. Save yourself the headache of trying to repair/restore the old broken-down material and just fix it the right way by recovering it with new material. Easy, relatively inexpensive, and most importantly you deal with it just once and you're done....

 

Take a look here and here about how I restored mine to their original look by reusing the old fabrics and replacing the foam padding.

I used the permatex adhesive and it worked fine.

 

Howdy Folks:
Based on my results, I would not use 3M Super 77 again . It may or may not hold. Although right after I did the attaching, it appeared to be holding well but about 3/4 of my original style oatmeal replacement fabric separated from the header overnight. (I guess there was some type of chemical reaction that made the 77 adhesive like syrup). Upon further investigation, I learned that even the small print just above the directions on the 3M Super 77 can states "NOT FOR USE ON EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOAM OR AUTOMOTIVE HEADLINERS."
So, for my second attempt, I used 3M AUTO | ADVANCED HEADLINER & FABRIC ADHESIVE. It is more expensive, less forgiving, but holds well.
I'm sure that there are other adhesives as good or better. (Fortunately I had purchased extra fabric) Just my 2 cents.
(PS A steam iron and towel will remove wrinkles from such replacement fabric before application)

 

Thanks everybody, I think I know what adhesive I'm going to go with!

I was going to reuse the old fabric but then I noticed a few pin holes in the header cloth so I figured I'd just replace it.

Does anybody know how much cloth I need to buy to cover both A-pillars and the header? I've seen different numbers everywhere...

 

I think I bought a couple yards of headliner material and that was enough to do it twice.

I went to JoAnn fabrics. They have a selection of padded headliner fabrics. I got a remnant for under $10.

 

Don't laugh, I used my wifes hot glue gun. mine were still partially on and the foam totally gone. Just put glue on a 2inch section of the piece at a time and pulled her tight and folded. Looks better than new. (use rubber gloves to help prevent finger burns).

 

Ha ha I thought about doing that with some fabric glue! But then I saw the pinholes in my header cloth... Gotta replace it now.

So I picked up 2 cans of Permatex at Advance today. Jo-Ann's is right next door to Advance but unfortunately they didn't have anything close to the original cloth... Looks like I'm going to have to order it online, suggestions?

 

Go to any well-respected auto upholstery shop in your area. They will have at least a dozen and perhaps two dozen product choices in your color range right there in the shop, no ordering necessary. Purchase a couple of yards of material and you're ready to begin....

 

Thanks. I called 3 in this area but it looks like they're all closed on Sat & Sun. I guess this project will be put off until Mon...

 

Be sure to drive the car in question to the upholstery shop so you can compare your new fabric choices to your original interior. Take the new fabric rolls outside to your car and compare each one to your original fabric in the sunlight - don't rely on artificial lighting inside the shop. Any reputable shop will understand completely and allow you to do this with no problem....

 

This is my first query, for the 2004 XK8 that is new to me.

The fabric on the A pillars and the windscreen top rail is loose and saggy. Didn't realize it was a common issue before reading this thread on fixes, so that project is now on my agenda.

But, how to remove the A pillars and top rail are a mystery. Surely they don't just 'pop' off, do they?

Jim D

 

It's the Rev. Sam to the rescue.

 

Thank you, Jag4, and video poster, too. Will bookmark and follow the excellent instructions soon.

Jim D

 

Does any one have the "Reverend Sam's" video on how to remove the interior windshield header on a XKR convertible?