headliner sagging

[grizwald]

has anyone ever had to repair a sagging headliner? just curious what you did and what you used.

thanks!

 

[Randy W]

I've been in the upholstery business since 1977, when board type headliners sag it's because the thin foam backing on the material has rotted. You can temporarily glue it back but it won't stay long as a rule. Only correct way is to buy new fabric, take down the board, peel off the old fabric, wire brush the board clean, wipe it down with thinner or similar, use a very good contact cement, I use counter top adhesive and a spray gun, it can be brushed on but is hard to get thin enough. If you use the spray cans, get the 3M that specifically says it's for headliners/vinyl tops, almost anything else will turn loose in hot weather.

 

[grizwald]

would you put another sort of foam backing on the board, or just put the fabric directly on the board?

 

[Randy W]

If you buy the proper headlining the padding is attached to the backing.

 

[grizwald]

i see....i was thinking i could re-use the fabric, but i guess not.

thanks for your input randy!

 

[Randy W]

No, the padding is part of the fabric, no proper way to save the old stuff.

 

[gman415]

Don't cheap out and not get the 3m stuff.

 

[DOUG213XRJ]

On a few of my cars, I remove the headliner from the car pealed the fabric off the board. With a stiff interior broom remove all the foam then sprayed the board and the fabric with 3M General trim adhesive #08088. If there is some thing better/stronger that wont eat the headliner board,I would also like to know. Doug

 

[78bbmalibu]

You can also get a new ABS plastic board withthe material already installed if your board is bad at all, I got one thru Tamrazs for my 1978 Malibu and it worked out good. They can also get the material and the 3M glue. Their number is 1-800-442-4601 if your interested.

 

[Killerdave8813]

Dixie Monte Carlo parts also has ths ABS with the cloth applied