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If you're dealing with saggy, droopy car roof upholstery, or headliner, you lot're definitely not alone. Don't worry—this motorcar repair isn't very expensive, and amend even so, it doesn't require a lot of mechanical or engineering knowledge. While it'southward always best to talk to a professional upholsterer, you may have a few at-home options at your disposal. Scroll through some often-asked questions and answers to become the low-down on this blazon of motorcar repair.

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    The adhesive breaks down over time. Your car's headliner is actually made with 2 different materials—polyurethane, a cream-like layer that goes directly over your car ceiling, and a layer of textile that goes on peak of the polyurethane.[1] This headliner stays in identify with an adhesive; over fourth dimension, as the glue breaks downward, the headliner starts to droop and sag off your machine's ceiling.[ii] Typically, motorcar headliner starts to sag after 10-15 years.[three]

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    Glue the edges and sides dorsum into place with a spray adhesive. If your headliner is sagging along the edge of your car ceiling, a quick touch on of glue can do the fox. Spray the loose, peeling underside of the headliner with the adhesive, along with the exposed section of ceiling. Wait 5 minutes for the mucilage to get tacky, so press the material back into place.[4]

    • Some people like to spray on 2 coats of agglutinative for actress security.[5]

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    Secure loose edges with double-sided tape. Stick 1 section of double-side tape along the peeling underside of the headliner. Then, stick the record onto your car'south roof. This is an easy set up for any peeling sections along the edges of your headliner.[6]

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    Use pins for a quick fix. If your headliner is sagging badly, you're better off replacing it altogether. However, if you're in a rush, stick a couple of pins through the drooping textile to hold information technology in place.[7]

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    A high-temperature agglutinative spray is best. Spray glue is like shooting fish in a barrel to utilise in an even layer, and helps your headliner stick firmly to the backing board. Professionals recommend using a high-temperature agglutinative—about two cans are plenty for a standard sedan, but you might demand more if y'all're repairing a larger vehicle.[8]

    • Professionals recommend using 3M-brand "howdy-tack" agglutinative spray for headliner repairs. You tin likewise use an adhesive spray designed specifically for auto headliners, also.[9]

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    You'll need to replace the entire headliner. Unfortunately, in that location'southward no quick or handy style to re-glue the center of your headliner onto the backing lath.[x] Instead, y'all'll need to remove the headliner completely and supervene upon it with new fabric.[11]

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    Detach whatever accessories from your headliner beginning. Dominicus visors, grab handles, car lights, and other accessories are typically fastened to the top and upper sides of your auto. Before removing the headliner and bankroll board, unscrew all these attachments and set up them aside for later. Depending on your vehicle, y'all may need an electric drill, pliers, screwdrivers, and/or a hex tool socket kit to remove these accessories.[12]

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    Pull down the plastic pillars and sills. Find iv plastic "pillars," or sections of plastic layered over your car'southward headliner, along the front end and dorsum of your vehicle. Remove any plugs or screws holding these pillars in identify.[13] So, pull off any sills, or rubber strips, along the sides of your car doors.[14]

    • You don't have to remove the pillars! The pillars only cover about i in (ii.five cm) of the headliner fabric—so, y'all can shift and pull out the old headliner without detaching them completely.[xv]

  3. 3

    Remove the headliner and backing lath from the motorcar entirely. Grip the headliner and backing board with both hands, removing them completely from the top of the automobile. Open multiple car doors, and then it's easy to slide the backing lath and headliner out.[xvi]

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    Disconnect any wires and sunglasses cases. Flip the backing board over and place it on a apartment surface. Unscrew any wires still fastened to the board, setting them aside for afterward. Additionally, unscrew and remove whatever sunglasses cases from the headliner—these are pretty frail, and will likely interruption if yous leave them attached.[17]

    • Always reattach these screws, wires, and cases earlier placing your headliner and backing board back in the machine.

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    Flat-knit and velour fabrics are both swell options. Flat-knit headliners have a "stitched" blueprint, while velour materials are softer to the touch. Both of these materials come attached to a layer of foam, which goes direct on the backing board.[eighteen]

    • These fabrics come in dissimilar colors—feel free to pick ane that matches your auto's interior.
    • You lot can find headliner fabric at specialty shops, or at stores that sell auto supplies or fabrics, similar Walmart and Hobby Lobby. It typically costs over $10 per chiliad.

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    Peel off the sometime textile. Don't effort to salvage the quondam material; instead, just remove the headliner textile. The foam might exist stuck to the backing board, which is perfectly normal.[xix]

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    Remove the cream from the headliner board. Grab a bristled brush and scrub off the old foam. Articulate abroad the foam completely, so the backing board is completely bare. Then, smooth away whatsoever raised sections or imperfections on the bankroll board with a sander.[20]

    • An air blower or air hose tin can assist with this.

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    Glue a new section of fabric in place. Spray downward the entire backing board with adhesive glue, as well as the underside of the new headliner textile.[21] Await 5 minutes, then the glue gets nice and sticky.[22] Apply your hands to press and smooth the headliner over all the contours and raised sections of the backing board, and then the material looks seamless and wrinkle-free. Then, let the glue dry and cure completely.[23]

    • Check your glue tin for more specific drying and curing guidance.

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    Cutting out any sections of fabric where car accessories will go. Grab a razor blade and piece of work your way effectually the new headliner fabric. Carefully cut around whatsoever sections where automobile accessories go, similar your interior lights, grab handles, and sunday visors. These sections announced slightly raised beneath the material and are easy to locate and cut out.[24]

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    Secure the headliner and backing board to the interior roof of your motorcar. Then, reattach and secure any sills, pillars, and side accessories that you originally removed from the vehicle.[25]

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    Clean off the new upholstery. Spray downward your new headliner with a foaming spray cleaner. This keeps your new material sleek and fresh without actually staining the headliner.[26]

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    It typically costs $200-350 at a repair shop. If you're getting the repair done at an car dealership, the repair can toll anywhere between $650 and $850. Don't worry—if you're completing the repair yourself, the supplies but cost around $50 to $55, depending on what blazon of vehicle you have.[27]

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  • Your upholstery should lose any imperfections in one case information technology sits in a warm car for a few days. If you discover any major blemishes, get rid of them with an upholstery skewer.[28]

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