What to Do When the Car Headliner Fabric Detaches?
2 Answers
When the car headliner fabric detaches, the repair method should be determined based on the extent of detachment. Here are the specific solutions: 1. Edge Detachment: If the edge of the headliner detaches due to aging of the fabric sponge, purchase a specialized automotive adhesive or glue product. Peel back the detached edge, apply the adhesive, let it dry for 3-5 minutes, and then press it back into place. 2. Middle Sagging: For sagging or detachment in the middle of the headliner where disassembly is inconvenient, consider using clip fasteners for repair. 3. Large-Scale Detachment: If the headliner fabric detaches over a large area, the entire headliner must be removed. Take out the old fabric, clean off the aged sponge from the surface, prepare a new headliner fabric and specialized headliner adhesive, apply adhesive to both surfaces, let it dry for 3-5 minutes, then press them together. Finally, reinstall the headliner.
I also encountered the issue of headliner fabric falling off last time, which was discovered during a hot summer day. This kind of detachment is mostly caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight combined with adhesive aging, especially for vehicles over five years old. If you plan to handle it yourself, you need to prepare professional headliner adhesive. First, clean the detached area thoroughly, remove the aged foam layer, then evenly apply the adhesive, align the fabric properly, and press firmly for five minutes. The key is to open the windows for ventilation for half an hour before turning on the AC, otherwise the adhesive smell can be overwhelming. If the affected area is too large or you're not confident in doing it yourself, spending a few hundred dollars at a professional detailing shop is more worry-free—they can fix it in half an hour with much neater results than DIY. Remember to park in shaded areas afterward to extend the headliner's lifespan.