Suede Headliner DIY

[vserduchka]

I was tired of getting into my P38 every day only to find myself surrounded by sagging headliner material and shedding pillars.

So I took a trip to my local Joann Fabric (they were having a 50% off sale), and bought some mocha suede. Then I drove to Sears Hardware, bought some adhesive, some paint, a wire brush, and went to work!

Materials needed for the project:

For the headliner:

• 4 yards of 58" wide Microsuede or Alcantara
• 2 cans 3M Super 77 Multipurpose spray adhesive
• 1 Wire brush
• Scissors
• Razor blades

For deflocking the pillars:

• 1 can engine degreaser (helps to loosen the velvet)
• 1 Wire brush
• Windex (or other cleaner to remove the oil from the degreaser)
• 2 cans Krylon Fusion spray paint

First thing's first. Remove all pillars:

• A pillars: Pull right off.
• B pillars: Remove the plastic cover on the seatbelt adjuster, undo the bolt (17 mm), and pull off the pillar.
  
• C pillars: Same procedure as B pillars.
• Trunk pillars: Remove the "shelves on either side of the cargo area by undoing the screws (you need to fold down the seats to get to the screws), and then pull the plastic tabs (using a flat screwdriver helps). The pillars then pull right out.

Next, remove all the stuff holding the headliner up:

• Pull down the map lights (and the metal frame) right above the rearview mirror.
  
• Remove the visors using a Phillips head screwdriver.
  
• Remove the "Oh, sh1t! bars." Use a small flat screwdriver to remove the plastic beauty tabs and then a Phillips head to remove the screws securing the handle bars in place.
  
• Hop into the back seat. On the lights, remove the larger plastic lens with a flat head screwdriver, then, using a Philips head screwdriver, remove the screws securing the light fixture in place.
  
• Pull that speaker looking thingy (and the metal frame) that sits right above the left B pillar.
  
• There are two other gizmos on the roof in the cargo area. Remove them with a Hex Key. For the life of me, I dont know what purpose these things serve, and I chose not to reinstall them, and just use some body filler to patch the holes!
• Lastly, pull the plastic tabs located behind the trunk pillars that secure the headliner in place.
  

Now comes the fun part. Remove that headliner! It should still be supported by the rubber molding around the doors and lift gate. Just wiggle the headliner around until it comes loose, and pull it out of the rear lift gate. Don't worry if it bends, it's just fiberglass and foam.

Now, the not-so-much-fun part. Pull off all of the old headliner material, and use your wire brush to remove all of the old, rotten glue from the headliner. Make sure to remove ALL of the old glue!

When your headliner board is clean, you're ready to start applying the new material. Cut about one yard of fabric off of your suede. This will be used for the sunroof. Then, drape the suede (or shag carpet, whatever you chose) over the headliner board. Fold half of it back. Now it's time to get down and dirty.

Starting from the middle, spray both the headliner board and the back of the suede. Then smooth out the material from the middle out to the sides. Make sure there is contact between every part of the headliner board and the material, taking special care around the contours of the board.

Once the glue has dried, flip your headliner over, and cut "X's" in all the holes (sunroof, lights, etc.).


Trim all the edges, so that there will be about a 1" wrap around on all sides.


Glue all the edges and "X's" that you cut to the back of the headliner board.



YAY! Thats it for the headliner! And it only took 5 hours of your time!




The pillars are easy. Just spray them with degreaser, use the wire brush to scrape off all the velvet. Clean the pillars up with some windex or acetone. Give them 2-3 coats of spray paint. Done!



I hope this helps those of you who were considering this job. It was WELL WORTH IT!!!





Total cost: $85 and about 5-8 hours of labor, depending upon your ability.
Total payoff: Priceless!

[LoWBuDget RoVer]

nice work

[RangeRover96]

Thanks! This is certainly getting bookmarked!

[LoWBuDget RoVer]

i went to Auto advance and picked up a can and hit some spots , no sag anymore !!

Keep the Rovers it Moving !!!!!!!!

[vserduchka]

It's amazing how much power people hold with a little bit of knowledge... I wonder how many people local upholstery shops have ripped off doing headliners.

To anyone interested in the South Jersey or surrounding areas, I'm hereby offering my services as a headliner repairer!

I'm capping the price tag of the job at $200 plus material cost. I'll remove the headliner, clean it up, reupholster it, and reinstall it. I'll also remove the pillars, strip them, paint them, and reinstall them.

Someone let me know if that's asking too much

[HeadlinerExpress]

Looks Great !

Question: Had you considered recovering your "A" "B" "C" Post in the same suede Material ?

It would strengthen the overall Color contrast of your P38.

Question: Whats your plans for recovering the Sunroof Panel ?

Bill

[stolenheron]

i wouldn't have done suede myself, but damn that looks wonderful man! luckily i had my headliner replaced last year just before my warranty went out, i'll do the same thing you did when she starts sagging again, i'll probably use canvas though or something a bit more "rugged" looking.

[ArmyRover]

Why is it Stolen that I see you doing yours in a loud floral pattern?

[vserduchka]

Originally Posted by HeadlinerExpress

Looks Great !

Question: Had you considered recovering your "A" "B" "C" Post in the same suede Material ?

It would strengthen the overall Color contrast of your P38.

Question: Whats your plans for recovering the Sunroof Panel ?

Bill

To be honest, the mocha suede was just a trial run to see how the job would turn out. I didn't expect my first try to be so clean. I'm going to do the job again, because I missed a couple small spots with the glue. I know it sounds trivial, but I want it to be perfect.

Question: To remove the sunroof panel, do I need to remove the entire sunroof assembly?

[vserduchka]

Originally Posted by stolenheron

i wouldn't have done suede myself, but damn that looks wonderful man! luckily i had my headliner replaced last year just before my warranty went out, i'll do the same thing you did when she starts sagging again, i'll probably use canvas though or something a bit more "rugged" looking.

Thanks Stolen, I was actually thinking about getting creative with the type of material I use next time. I don't know if I'm brave enough for that though!

I'll probably use the same color suede, and do the pillars and sunroof panel next time.

[HeadlinerExpress]

No, Just the Sunroof Glass and Rear Drip Tray need to be removed to get the sunshade out!

You will likely need at least 1 or 2 Sunshade Sliding Clips too.

The sunroof Sunshade Floats within the Sunroof Rail assemble Their are a total of #4 Clips that hold the Sunshade in place.

These #4 Clips are made of Plastic and are very brittle from the Heat from the Sunroof Glass, even i break them from time to time, Don't attempt this job without having extra clips in hand. I do have them in stock if needed PLUS i have 21 Years experience doing Headliner & Sunroof Repair on these vehicles. So if you run into a issue feel free to contact me and ill do my best to help!. Bill

[nuyorican420]

Thanks to vserduchka, I saved alot of money cause of you....... Thanks again.

[vserduchka]

Wow, that really looks great! I'm glad I could be of some help!

[WLADiscoII99]

What color suede looks the best with normal tan leather seats?

1999 DII

If the roof looks "newer" than the rest would that look tackey.

[WLADiscoII99]

•There are two other gizmos on the roof in the cargo area. Remove them with a Hex Key. For the life of me, I dont know what purpose these things serve, and I chose not to reinstall them, and just use some body filler to patch the holes!



Those gizmos are the sensors for your alarm. They detect airflow.