This muggy Florida weather probably has something to do with this... my headliner detached from the ceiling of the car today. It is very annoying because it's resting on my hair. It's nothing serious, but very annoying, not to mention making the car look really bad because it's without tint. I hate getting those stares.

Any suggestions on how to fix it? either DIY or otherwise. TIA

 

Happens to me every day, the sad part is there is nothing wrong with my headliner. It's that damn genetics thing, it made me 6'2", so if I get a shower before I go out I get Alfa alfa as a result of my hair rubbing off the headliner.

Any advice for this serious problem would be a great help....


mike90q

 

I've had this happen in both a Saab and a Volvo that I purchased in Florida, you're right it must be the humidity.

The short term solution is to use thumb tacks pushed into the headliner to hold up the falling material.

The correct solution is to remove the entire headline from the car. To do this you will need to remove all of the roof related interior trim.
This includes the b-pillar, the front windshield
columns, the rear panels and all handles, sunroof motor etc.

It sounds Difficult but in both the Saab and the volvo it was fairly simple. I would start by removing all of the handles and the sunroof motor.
Usually these are all it will take for you to move the headliner. Any other obstructions can be pried carefully away.

Remove the headliner from the car. (This is the hard part) The Saab was easy because it was a hatch back. The volvo took a lot of coercing
and cautious bending of the backing board to remove. It may be necessary to remove the windshield to get it out.

Next go to an automotive upholstery shop or regular fabric store and buy material that will match the interior of the car.

Remove the old material form the backing board.
The old material will have left behind all of the dried out glue. You will need to scrape the board clean so that you have a decent surface to adhere the new fabric to.

Use a good quality fabric adhesive (not spray on fabric glue its not strong enough). Coat the backing board. Pull the material tight against the outside edge of the board and pin it down.
Now push the material down so that it stretches into the contours of the board. You may have to use books or pins to hold the material down while it dries. If you do not pull the material tight to begin with the headliner will be wrinkled when the glue dries.

Let the whole thing dry overnight then reinstall.

If you are adventurous you could try this without removing the headliner from the car. Cut away the old material with a razor and clean the board thoroughly. You'll have to be creative though with pins to keep the headliner up with pins while it dries. I do not suggest trying to reuse the old headliner material. It will be coated in residue (looks like yellow powder) and you'll never get a solid bond.

Good luck

Sam.