can I re-use the headliner?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
can I re-use the headliner?
thinking of tackling my sagging headliner this week. Can I re-use the current headliner material? or do I need to purchase new fabric. thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: U.P. MI
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
16 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Get new.
If it is sagging, that means that the foam backing has seperated. You can buy material specific for headliners, but most any material will work. I used a heavy felt myself.
If it is sagging, that means that the foam backing has seperated. You can buy material specific for headliners, but most any material will work. I used a heavy felt myself.
#4
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
12 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
The headliner sags because the foam is disintegrating. If you try to glue the same fabric down again, the foam will just come apart again, and the fabric will sag again.
There are numerous threads on here about fixing your headliner, and there are several videos on YouTube showing the process. The headliner material is glued to a fiberglass board that you can patiently pull out in ten minutes. You have to scrub the old foam and glue off with a brush. To replace it, you can buy foam-backed headliner material at any decent fabric store like JoAnn or Hancock for $10-15 per yard, or you can order it online. Then get a couple of cans of 3M Super 77 adhesive at Home Depot (don't buy it at the fabric store, because the fabric store cans cost more and are smaller).
As was mentioned, you don't actually have to use the foam-backed headliner material. You can put anything you want on there. Some people have actually bedlined it instead of using fabric. People have used everything from camo to carpet to superhero bedsheets. I prefer the foam material, however, for the sound deadening.
Keep in mind that unless you buy an exact match for your interior, your headliner won't match your visors. Many people re-cover their visors at the same time.
There are numerous threads on here about fixing your headliner, and there are several videos on YouTube showing the process. The headliner material is glued to a fiberglass board that you can patiently pull out in ten minutes. You have to scrub the old foam and glue off with a brush. To replace it, you can buy foam-backed headliner material at any decent fabric store like JoAnn or Hancock for $10-15 per yard, or you can order it online. Then get a couple of cans of 3M Super 77 adhesive at Home Depot (don't buy it at the fabric store, because the fabric store cans cost more and are smaller).
As was mentioned, you don't actually have to use the foam-backed headliner material. You can put anything you want on there. Some people have actually bedlined it instead of using fabric. People have used everything from camo to carpet to superhero bedsheets. I prefer the foam material, however, for the sound deadening.
Keep in mind that unless you buy an exact match for your interior, your headliner won't match your visors. Many people re-cover their visors at the same time.
The following users liked this post:
BloNdeChiNeEz (07-20-2020)
#5
Seasoned Member
The headliner material as Extrashakey said is about 30-40 bucks total. I prefer 3M 90 adheasive over the 77. About 15 bucks a can and you will need 1.5 to 1.75 cans. This is a nice Saturday job. Having an extra set of hand to put the material is almost mandatory.
Ron
Ron
The following users liked this post:
BloNdeChiNeEz (07-20-2020)
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Removing the headliner/board is what will take you the longest pulling all the trim and replacing. When out work on a flat surface like a 4x8 sheet of plywood on sawhorse's to clean it. Then take it off and clean your work area very well before you start to get rid of any foam laying around.
It is a good idea to let it dry in the sunlight for a few hours before you reinstall it so no accidents happen while pushing the headliner back in place and replacing trim, lights.
It is a good idea to let it dry in the sunlight for a few hours before you reinstall it so no accidents happen while pushing the headliner back in place and replacing trim, lights.
#7
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
12 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
I used this as an excuse to go buy a nice rolling canister shop vac and sucked up the foam as I went. That way, when I was finished, there wasn't that sticky foam everywhere in the garage.
Trending Topics
#8
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7,357
Likes: 0
Received 1,530 Likes
on
1,173 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
I had the sagging headliner problem in my '00 XJ. Was toying with the idea of fixing it myself. Just figured I would buy the fabric and glue, go through all the work doing it, and then have it start sagging down the road. There is an place in my town that handles this type of work. Been around forever and is the go to guy for all the classic car upholstery needs. $125 with me removing the headliner and bringing it to him. Probably could have had it done cheaper a couple towns over but figured why bother. If you are not too tall you can fit a '00 headliner in a '96 XJ and kinda drive. Just one of those instances that I think it is sometimes better to let the experts handle it.
#9
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WNY
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
Received 45 Likes
on
45 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I had the sagging headliner problem in my '00 XJ. Was toying with the idea of fixing it myself. Just figured I would buy the fabric and glue, go through all the work doing it, and then have it start sagging down the road. There is an place in my town that handles this type of work. Been around forever and is the go to guy for all the classic car upholstery needs. $125 with me removing the headliner and bringing it to him. Probably could have had it done cheaper a couple towns over but figured why bother. If you are not too tall you can fit a '00 headliner in a '96 XJ and kinda drive. Just one of those instances that I think it is sometimes better to let the experts handle it.
The following users liked this post:
BloNdeChiNeEz (07-20-2020)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BURTON159
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
08-14-2009 08:29 AM
1984 cherokee
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
24
08-05-2008 06:45 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)