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If you’re dealing with saggy, droopy car roof upholstery, or headliner, you’re definitely not alone. Don’t worry—this car repair isn’t very expensive, and better yet, it doesn’t require a lot of mechanical or engineering knowledge. While it’s always best to talk to a professional upholsterer, you may have a few at-home options at your disposal. Scroll through some frequently-asked questions and answers to get the low-down on this type of car repair.

Fixing the Interior Roof of a Car

Spray the underside of the roof upholstery with adhesive. Wait for 5 minutes and then stick the upholstery back to the roof. Alternatively, stick double-sided tape to the drooping upholstery. Or, hold the upholstery in place with pins.

Question 1

What causes headliner to sag?

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  1. Your car’s headliner is actually made with 2 different materials—polyurethane, a foam-like layer that goes directly over your car ceiling, and a layer of fabric that goes on top of the polyurethane. This headliner stays in place with an adhesive; over time, as the glue breaks down, the headliner starts to droop and sag off your car’s ceiling.[1] Typically, car headliner starts to sag after 10-15 years.[2]
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Question 2

How can I fix my headliner without removing it?

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  1. If your headliner is sagging along the edge of your car ceiling, a quick touch of glue can do the trick. Spray the loose, peeling underside of the headliner with the adhesive, along with the exposed section of ceiling. Wait 5 minutes for the glue to get tacky, and then press the material back into place.[3]
    • Some people like to spray on 2 coats of adhesive for extra security.[4]
  2. Stick 1 section of double-side tape along the peeling underside of the headliner. Then, stick the tape onto your car’s roof. This is an easy fix for any peeling sections along the edges of your headliner.[5]
  3. If your headliner is sagging badly, you’re better off replacing it altogether. However, if you’re in a rush, stick a couple of pins through the drooping material to hold it in place.[6]
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Question 3

What is the best glue to use on a headliner?

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Question 5

How do I remove the fabric from my car ceiling?

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  1. Sun visors, grab handles, car lights, and other accessories are typically attached to the top and upper sides of your car. Before removing the headliner and backing board, unscrew all these attachments and set them aside for later. Depending on your vehicle, you may need an electric drill, pliers, screwdrivers, and/or a hex tool socket kit to remove these accessories.[11]
  2. Find 4 plastic “pillars,” or sections of plastic layered over your car’s headliner, along the front and back of your vehicle. Remove any plugs or screws holding these pillars in place.[12] Then, pull off any sills, or rubber strips, along the sides of your car doors.[13]
    • You don’t have to remove the pillars! The pillars only cover about 1 in (2.5 cm) of the headliner material—so, you can shift and pull out the old headliner without detaching them completely.[14]
  3. Grip the headliner and backing board with both hands, removing them completely from the top of the car. Open up multiple car doors, so it’s easy to slide the backing board and headliner out.[15]
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Question 7

What type of replacement fabric should I use?

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  1. Flat-knit headliners have a “stitched” design, while velour materials are softer to the touch. Both of these materials come attached to a layer of foam, which goes directly on the backing board.[17]
    • These fabrics come in different colors—feel free to pick one that matches your car’s interior.
    • You can find headliner fabric at specialty shops, or at stores that sell auto supplies or fabrics, like Walmart and Hobby Lobby. It typically costs over $10 per yard.
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Question 8

How do I replace the car roof upholstery?

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  1. Don’t try to salvage the old material; instead, just remove the headliner fabric. The foam might be stuck to the backing board, which is perfectly normal.[18]
  2. Grab a bristled brush and scrub off the old foam. Clear away the foam completely, so the backing board is completely bare. Then, smooth away any raised sections or imperfections on the backing board with a sander.[19]
    • An air blower or air hose can help with this.
  3. Spray down the entire backing board with adhesive glue, as well as the underside of the new headliner material.[20] Wait 5 minutes, so the glue gets nice and sticky.[21] Use your hands to press and smooth the headliner over all the contours and raised sections of the backing board, so the material looks seamless and wrinkle-free. Then, let the glue dry and cure completely.[22]
    • Check your glue can for more specific drying and curing guidance.
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Question 9

How do I reinstall my new upholstery?

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  1. Grab a razor blade and work your way around the new headliner material. Carefully cut around any sections where car accessories go, like your interior lights, grab handles, and sun visors. These sections appear slightly raised beneath the material and are easy to locate and cut out.[23]
  2. Then, reattach and secure any sills, pillars, and side accessories that you originally removed from the vehicle.[24]
  3. Spray down your new headliner with a foaming spray cleaner. This keeps your new material sleek and fresh without actually staining the headliner.[25]
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Tips

  • Your upholstery should lose any imperfections once it sits in a warm car for a few days. If you notice any major blemishes, get rid of them with an upholstery skewer.[27]
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about upholstery repair, check out our in-depth interview with Tommy Goldberg.

About This Article

Tommy Goldberg
Co-authored by:
Automotive Expert
This article was co-authored by Tommy Goldberg and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Tommy Goldberg is an Automotive Expert and the Director of Product Development at Obsessed Garage based in Lady Lake, Florida. Tommy has been part of the Obsessed Garage team since 2020 and is responsible for the team's product development and testing strategies. He is an expert in car detailing, pressure washers, and proper techniques to maintain cars. Tommy has a degree in Mechanical Engineering. This article has been viewed 138,097 times.
21 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: June 14, 2024
Views: 138,097
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 138,097 times.

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