How to Remove the Car Headliner?
3 Answers
Method to remove the car headliner: First, remove the door handles and front/rear dome lights. Then, pull off the rear headliner trim panel, unscrew the two screws, and you can pull it down. The car headliner is an important part of the car interior, serving functions such as decoration, sound absorption, and heat insulation. In an era that prioritizes high performance, environmental friendliness, and lightweight design, the car headliner has become a significant factor in vehicle selection, leading to increasingly higher demands for car interior components. The headliner's filling material is designed for heat insulation and sound absorption, with strong water absorption capacity. When cleaning, ensure the towel is wrung out thoroughly and use high-quality foam cleaner, as it has a long dwell time, is neutral in nature, won’t corrode the headliner, and won’t leave water stains.
I've removed the car headliner several times myself. First, prepare the necessary tools—get a plastic pry bar or a screwdriver that's not too sharp to avoid scratching the interior. Before starting, turn off the car's power to prevent accidental activation. Begin by removing the screws from the sun visor—this is crucial, so don't lose them. Then, detach the reading light assembly, carefully unplugging any wire connectors. The entire headliner is held in place by multiple small clips. Start from the door frame edge, gently prying them open with a small hook—don't pull too hard, as the fabric can tear easily. I recommend wearing gloves to protect your hands, as the lining material can sometimes be sharp. After removal, cleaning the interior or fixing mold spots becomes much easier. Finally, double-check all screws and gaps to ensure everything is secure, preventing any rattling noises while driving. The process is a bit tedious but quite interesting, suitable for friends with DIY experience to try.
I was a bit nervous the first time I removed the car headliner but proceeded with caution. I only used household tools like a flat-head screwdriver and an old bank card as a pry bar. Starting from the door side, I carefully pried open the clips one by one—each clip was in a different position, so I avoided using excessive force. The sun visors were the easiest part; just unscrewing the small screws did the trick. The reading light section had wires connected, so I worked slowly to avoid pulling them apart. After removal, I treated the yellowed stains by gently cleaning the interior fabric with a mild detergent. The sense of accomplishment was great afterward, but I recommend beginners watch tutorial videos first to avoid damaging parts and ending up paying unnecessary repair shop costs. Remember to stay patient throughout the process—take it step by step, as rushing won't help with this task.
