How to Fix a Detached Car Headliner?
3 Answers
If the headliner is peeling near the edges, you can simply peel back the edge, spray adhesive, let it dry for 3-5 minutes, and then press it back into place. In this case, you need to remove the entire headliner, take off the old fabric, and clean off any aged foam from the surface. Prepare a new piece of headliner fabric and specialized headliner adhesive. Spray adhesive on both sides, let it dry for 3-5 minutes (until it's no longer tacky), and then press it into place.
The fabric on my car's ceiling has fallen off multiple times, which is really annoying. I tried using regular glue a few times, but the results were poor and it smelled terrible. Later, I bought a specialized automotive interior adhesive spray, applied it, and gently pressed for a few days until it became much more secure. However, the aged areas couldn't hold, so I had to replace the entire piece, costing around five to six hundred yuan at a professional shop. To prevent this, avoid parking in direct sunlight; choose shaded spots to reduce heat accelerating glue failure. Regularly use the external air circulation to prevent moisture buildup inside the car, and clean the ceiling dust weekly to extend its lifespan. If there's a water leak, address it urgently to prevent mold growth on the fabric, which is even more troublesome. Timely repairs ensure a worry-free drive.
I'm an expert at DIY headliner repairs. Just buy some special adhesive online and you're good to go. The steps are: clean the detached area to remove dust, spray adhesive on both the car roof and the inner side of the fabric, wait two minutes until it gets tacky, then align and press firmly, smoothing out any bubbles to avoid wrinkles. For temporary fixes, you can use large clips or staples, but the results are mediocre. The materials are cheap, around 50 yuan will do. For severe damage, just tear off the old fabric and replace it with new. Be careful not to scratch the frame when applying it yourself, and work in a ventilated area to reduce the glue smell. Afterwards, regularly use a soft brush to clean dust off the headliner to prevent re-detachment. It's cost-effective and a great skill to learn.
