I'm trying to recover my headliner because the original material was starting to come unhooked in a couple places. I decided to try something, since this is a work truck, and i wanted something easy to clean, instead of turning black like the original headliners seem to do. I bought some vinyl material to cover it with, thinking it wouldn't be too hard of a job. Well i was wrong. So I'm here to ask if anyone has any upholstery experience who can help me out.

This is what happened. I used 3m trim adhesive, and a sheet of vinyl material that had some sort of cloth for a backing. It looked kind of like a felt type material. I sprayed the headliner 9after removing the original material) and sprayed the back of the vinyl. I waited 5-10 minutes like the instructions on the can said, then started applying the vinyl. Well it wrinkled up badly, and for some reason wouldn't stick well. There was no way to get the wrinkles out. I tried smoothing them with my hand, and pulling the material a little tighter, with no luck. Then the vinyl started pulling away from the white backing, and wrinkled up even worse!

I want advice before i try again. I saw some other vinyl that had a coarser backing, more like a very coarse weave and much harder than the felt. I was concerned that it would be more difficult to get this kind to stretch where it has to follow contours, so i didn't get it. So I guess my 2 main questions are: am I using the right adhesive? and what vinyl material would be best to use? Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Jim

 

I'm thinking that vinyl wouldn't breathe too well and would only hold more heat between the roof and the headliner. Plus vinyl would sag easier due to its heavier weight.

Why not use cloth and get a can of Scotch-Guard?

 

Heat shouldn't be a problem for me...it almost never gets above 90 here, and usually stays between 70-80 most of the summer. I know a guy who does upholstery, but he lives around 200 miles from me. If I have to, I might travel down and see if he would do the job. He has done the interiors in several custom cars, so he wouldn't have a problem. It just would have been nice to do it myself, and save a long drive.

Jim

 

Never done one of these trucks, but I tried in once on my old '76 Olds. Trim adhesive wont hold it (for very long if at all) it isn't strong enough. You have to go the next step up (I think it is called heavy duty or something). Sounds like the vinyl you got was for something else, get the plain vinyl with just the weave on the back. Then have plenty of hands so you can start in the middle and move outward working out the wrinkles (mine still had wrinkles in it 12 years later after I did it). The heavy duty trim adhesive does not allow for repositioning, once it is stuck, it is stuck. Tough job if you ask me, but you could always hit the boneyard for donors to test on until you perfect your technique.

 

I used a HD spray adheasive from wal mart out of the craft section. It worked good. What I did was lay out the fabric. Then roll it back half way. Then spray the adheasive in small sections and rolled the material down onto the headliner. This way you can work it and not worry about it drying or being mispositioned. Remember to leave a little extra material so you can wrap it onto the back to help keep it from coming loose.

 

Permatex makes the heavy duty headliner adhesive. You need the canvas backed vinyl for the job. That felt backed stuff is great for home projects but not much else. If you can get at least 1 assistant when you do the job, try to suspend the new vinyl between the rear of the backer and the 2 front a-pillar stubs. Carefully press the vinyl down starting in the middle and work your way out. Don't drag the material because it will bunch up and you will get wrinkles. Just dab and if you can get a little roller press with that. Its worth a shot and the amount of vinyl you need should br less than $20.
Good luck.

 

I tried several different things, none of which worked for me. I eventually went to the dealer (I know, I know) and got a new headliner for like $115 or so. Popped the old one out, new one in with no real effort, other than to pry the side moldings where the seat belts come out away. As easy and as cheap as it is for a new, perfect headliner I would never again mess around with cheapy "fixes". Just my two cents...

 

Pep Boys sell a kit (material and adhesive). Instructions are included. Just like robert chilton said above, do half at a time and roll it out ... piece of cake!