New Headliners Cost?

PoppySheaf · Post by **PoppySheaf** » 30 Jan 2019, 20:36

Anyone had their headliner replaced?

Cost estimates?

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 31 Jan 2019, 08:45

Go to an local upholstery shop. Ask them, if you bring them the headliner how much will they charge to upholster it. You do the removal and install it back into the car.

PoppySheaf · Post by **PoppySheaf** » 31 Jan 2019, 10:10

Good idea to keep the cost down! Thanks

Post by **ggleavitt** » 31 Jan 2019, 10:14

Headliner new is around $850 plus shipping ($1000 retail).

I've read about varying luck in re-upholstering, something about getting all the old foam off the panel which is normally the failure mode, then expecting the headliner to look like it did before the failure. Local Pick/Pull might be another option.

Post by **SuperHerman** » 31 Jan 2019, 10:44

Nothing magical about putting on a new headliner. I had one installed on my Jaguar by a women who does it on the side for $350.

I have done one myself for about $100 in materials. Bought the adhesive at Menards and headliner at Joannes. Color is close enough.

The hardest part is taking all the old sponge/glue off, it is time consuming but easy work. There are plenty of videos on the process - all cars are basically the same. Getting all the edges perfect is not easy, but time and patience prevails.

Headliner job is basically 1) remove headliner from vehicle; 2) remove and prepare surface; 3) buy materials (material and glue); 4) install headliner material; and 5) reinstall headliner in vehicle.

One way to save money is to call around and ask about the price break for bringing in the headliner in its various stages listed above. Depending on how handy you are you can lower the cost a considerable amount.

On other item - the sun roof should be done at the same time. In addition if you change materials of the headliner it may not be a perfect match with the pillars unless you can source a very accurate material replacement.

Post by **June** » 31 Jan 2019, 11:56

Superhurman if you buy the new Volvo parts, they match all the surrounding original parts perfectly. In 2016 I had the sunroof shade replaced with genuine Volvo replacement and it is perfect color match to my original headliner. Last year I replaced the front pillars and they are also a perfect color match to the original headliner. Original headliners are still available for my 04 at least.

I would think a unmolested used part from the salvage yard with the correct color code would be a perfect match as well. My dealer said recovered sunshade cause trouble or don't hold up. A new factory or used original part is necessary. June

PoppySheaf · Post by **PoppySheaf** » 31 Jan 2019, 12:14

Thanks you both!

Post by **E Showell** » 31 Jan 2019, 12:22

Can be done in the home for less than $100 in materials. The problem is time. It takes time to scrape off the old foam/glue. A sharp paint scraper of the interchangeable, razor sharp variety is handy in that regard. You want one where the blade attaches to the scraper handle at a 90 degree angle. Lots of wooden boatbuilding/boat restoration places will offer these for sale. Then you need a good dust mask and shop vac to clean up the mess, plus a large working space (kitchen floor was mine). My car did not have a sunroof, which simplified the headliner replacement considerably. With a sunroof involved, I am not sure I would have attempted it. Without, no problem, but the project took the better part of a full weekend to complete. Results were quite nice. Headliner material purchased from Jo-Anne Fabrics (a Mall fabric store chain which had a sufficiently close color match in its headliner material stock) and a 3M trim adhesive spray (at least a couple cans of that as I recall). I think my all-in cost was somewhere around $75 for materials, but that was several years ago. There are good write-ups on this site as far as the actual procedure goes. Good luck.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 31 Jan 2019, 12:25

Even if you can get an old stock Volvo, would it match perfect with an aged interior .... ?

Post by **June** » 31 Jan 2019, 12:38

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑31 Jan 2019, 12:25 Even if you can get an old stock Volvo, would it match perfect with an aged interior .... ?

It did on mine and I live in sunny Florida. The A pillars and moonroof sunshade match the original factory installed headliner and visors perfectly. You would never know anything had been touched. I am particular about things looking just right or it bothers me. I realize my car is 15 years old, but Volvo still has the parts. So why not? Is my feeling. If someone else can't afford it, then used original likely would be a perfect match. Even the new leather on the driver's seat matched the rest perfectly and doesn't look oddly. When I get my car back I'll snap some pictures. June

Addendum;
Found a picture I was able to zoom in to show the color match of the new A pillar and the old headliner. Can you tell a difference? When I get my car back I'll take good pictures and add them. June