What to Do When the Car Headliner Fabric Comes Off?
2 Answers
When the car headliner fabric comes off, you can go to an auto repair and beauty shop for maintenance, or you can repair it yourself. The car headliner fabric is an important part of the vehicle's roof, mainly serving to enhance the interior decoration. Additionally, the composite fabric of the car headliner can improve heat insulation from the outside, reduce interior noise, enhance sound absorption, and improve passenger comfort and safety. The reasons for the car headliner fabric coming off are as follows: 1. Edge adhesive failure: The edge adhesive failure is likely due to aging of the fabric sponge, causing the edges to detach. You can buy a bottle of special automotive glue or adhesive products, open the edge, spray the glue, let it dry for 3-5 minutes, and then reattach it. 2. Middle sagging: If the middle part of the headliner sags or comes off, it may be inconvenient to dismantle. In this case, you can opt for clip repairs, choosing clips of a similar color, although the downside is that it may not look very aesthetically pleasing. 3. Large-area detachment: In this case, you need to remove the entire headliner, take off the old fabric, clean the surface of the aged sponge, prepare a new headliner fabric, and use special headliner glue. Spray glue on both sides, let it dry for 3-5 minutes, then reattach it, and finally reinstall the headliner.
As an experienced car owner, I've encountered the issue of headliner fabric detaching several times, usually due to aging adhesive failure or weakened bond under high temperatures. The solution isn't difficult and can be DIY: First, clean off old glue and dust, then apply automotive-grade strong adhesive to both the fabric and roof, carefully pressing for a few minutes to set. For temporary fixes, use push pins to secure it and prevent shaking while driving. For long-term prevention, try parking away from direct sunlight and install sunshades. If the fabric is severely damaged, consider replacing it with a new headliner kit, which costs just a few hundred bucks—much cheaper than professional shop service. Regular cleaning of roof upholstery also extends its lifespan by preventing dust buildup that accelerates adhesive aging. Safety first—always check the stability after repair before driving to avoid distractions from potential detachment.
