How do I re-glue the headliner in a wagon (back half fell down)

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 25 Sep 2021, 18:00

Chuck W wrote: 24 Sep 2021, 08:17 Pull the entire headliner board out, remove all of the old material and foam, and install new material.

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Best Headliner Ever!
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Post by **BEJinFbk** » 25 Sep 2021, 18:20

When I was messing around with cars full time, I got very good results with this:
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Essentially, it's contact cement in an aerosol can. Apply to both sides, let it get tacky
and get it right the first time. It's probably worth experimenting with some scraps
before you go for the big time.
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850forum · Post by **850forum** » 26 Sep 2021, 00:05

GlennG2759 wrote: 24 Sep 2021, 19:44 Headliner fabric comes with a foam backer.

Any generic headliner fabric, or does it have to be Volvo?

A friend gave me the number of a guy who does headliners & upholstery work.

I can handle gluing it on, especially if I'm dealing with a rectangular piece larger than the backer.
But getting the trim off of a 1996 car without destroying it, and getting extra clips to have on hand for the breaking, is another story. Anyone have full removal diagrams & PNs for the various clips?

Is the backer held to the roof ONLY with one length of velcro? or are there little tabs around the edges?

How the heck do you get the backer out of a sedan ? Is it in two pieces?

When you cut the holes, is it best to use a razor knife to get thru the fabric & the underlying foam at the same time? Do you want to seal the edge of the foam in any way, or does it just compress when the trim goes on?

Post by **Chuck W** » 26 Sep 2021, 05:22

850forum wrote: 26 Sep 2021, 00:05
GlennG2759 wrote: 24 Sep 2021, 19:44 Headliner fabric comes with a foam backer.
Any generic headliner fabric, or does it have to be Volvo?

A friend gave me the number of a guy who does headliners & upholstery work.

I can handle gluing it on, especially if I'm dealing with a rectangular piece larger than the backer.
But getting the trim off of a 1996 car without destroying it, and getting extra clips to have on hand for the breaking, is another story. Anyone have full removal diagrams & PNs for the various clips?

Is the backer held to the roof ONLY with one length of velcro? or are there little tabs around the edges?

How the heck do you get the backer out of a sedan ? Is it in two pieces?

When you cut the holes, is it best to use a razor knife to get thru the fabric & the underlying foam at the same time? Do you want to seal the edge of the foam in any way, or does it just compress when the trim goes on?

Generic headliner fabric is fine. Just depends on what color you want (Ours wasn't even "headliner material")

Take your time removing the trim bits. Honestly, the only piece I ever have an issue with is the sunroof trim. There is a "trick" to removing it, but even then, there is a high likelyhood it comes out in pieces. I just use a generic rubber "U" molding to replace it.
The rest of the trim comes off fine. The visors are a hassle, in that they do unplug, but the connector is WAY down at the bottom of the A-pilar, kind of tucked away.

The trim and the bolted up pieces (visors, map light/mirror trim, grab handles) are what hold it up. The velcro is just along the middle as a support.

I've gotten the headliner panel out of my sedans through the trunk. It just fits with a little persuasion. You just have to be careful.

Scissors work fine to cut the material. You need to leave a little bit of extra to fold over anyway, so it's not some exacting procedure.

850forum · Post by **850forum** » 26 Sep 2021, 18:54

This guy wants $250 to do the job. But I want to source all the clips that might break & have them on hand.
He says he gets the sedan backer comes out thru a door - but cars with a tall console, have to take out a window.

Post by **Chuck W** » 27 Sep 2021, 09:31

850forum wrote: 26 Sep 2021, 18:54 This guy wants $250 to do the job. But I want to source all the clips that might break & have them on hand.
He says he gets the sedan backer comes out thru a door - but cars with a tall console, have to take out a window.

No need to take any windows out on the sedan to get the backer out. Easier with the front seats out, though. On a wagon, the seats can stay.

It's unlikely any clips will break, unless he's a ham-fisted oaf. The sunroof trim is the biggest hassle. I've had little luck with that.

I used THIS STUFF on our cars, spray-dyed to an appropriate color.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 28 Sep 2021, 16:27

Chuck W wrote: 27 Sep 2021, 09:31 No need to take any windows out on the sedan to get the backer out. Easier with the front seats out, though. On a wagon, the seats can stay.

It's unlikely any clips will break, unless he's a ham-fisted oaf. The sunroof trim is the biggest hassle. I've had little luck with that.

I used THIS STUFF on our cars, spray-dyed to an appropriate color.

THANK YOU! I remember seeing you post this before, but I couldn't find the post the last time I checked. Ironically, I just looked this up and came across this post.
I've been wanting to take care of the lack of trim after re-doing my headliner a few months ago... don't want the wind getting above the fabric and pulling it off of the backing. Going to order this now.

850forum · Post by **850forum** » 28 Sep 2021, 20:12

I'm seeing headliner material in 1/8", 3/16",
and even 1/4" foam thickness ( www.stockinteriors.com/headlinerfabric. ... odelId=861 )

What's the Volvo got? Will thicker work (fit under the trim pieces) ?

I see 3M makes a 3M 38808 Headliner and Fabric Adhesive spray. But it seems to be about $22 a can which is a bit more expensive than other adhesives. I'd want one with a long tack time to be able to adjust it.

Cheap solution - screw-in plates, covered by fabric buttons about $15:
KUFUNG Car Roof Headliner Repair Button, Auto Roof Snap Rivets Retainer Design for Car Roof Flannelette Fixed, with Installation Tool and Fit All Cars (Grey Grid)
www.amazon.com/dp/B085XZLVLX/

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 28 Sep 2021, 22:37

I used 3/16” fabric from Amazon. Everything went back on well, with no issues getting all trim to fit. For the adhesive, I used 3M headliner adhesive that I bought at Walmart.

850forum · Post by **850forum** » 29 Sep 2021, 14:01

What deters me from doing it myself is
1) don't know how to remove all that trim without breaking it
2) breaking the trim clips, and maybe the backer clips
3) a fabric site said the job takes 8-9 hours the first time you do it. Maybe more for a wagon.

Need to find out if they guy's quote of $250 includes materials.
The wagon would take 2-3 cans of spray ??? at maybe $20-22 per can.
The fabric runs about $60.