Looking to recover my center headliner.

[Tin Man]

I know how to remove the headliner and everything, I just can't remember where to go to get the best color match fabric, thickness of the new padding and what type, and which adhesive to use so it ends up looking nice. Ideas?

[DMCMW Dave]

It's not padding, it's material with foam bonded to it. Get the thinnest you can find.

Us3 3M General Trim Spray Adhesive. The only way to get a good color match is do all 4 pieces at the same time.

[Tin Man]

Would Michael's craft store have everything I need there?

[TTait]

Not sure where you live, but I found an auto upholstery supply place. If your in an urban enough area, that will have a good selection. At the other end of the spectrum Pep Boys often stocks Heads Up brand headliner in grey. It's cheap and the color falls within the usual range for the D, but know that it doesn't have the same texture as the factory stuff.

I agree that you'll probably want to do all 4 panels at the same time. the two door panels take a bit of finesse, but they will be easier with the good glue mentioned above. I've heard that a good technique is to get a bag of sand, and once you get the material in place, put the panel inside a trash bag and then fill the depression with sand to help keep the fabric tight to the backing until the glue is fully set. I'd think moist sand would have twice the weight. I haven't tried it however.

Also, when cutting the material, don't underestimate the amount required to wrap up and around the fiberglass, under the outer seals. Its better to leave the material much too long and then trim it after you start fitting it to the car.

[steve6864]

Just to chime in,first,I`m not tied to keeping my car completely stock as it is a 80,000 mile driver and I do all I can to keep it running and comfortable, stock or not.That being said,my center headliner ismade out of a non-absorbent material and that fact has kept me dry and stainfree.So many times the center headliner is asked to wick away moisture from rain and washes.I used a thin vinyl and the afore mentioned 3M.6864.

[rddmc]

I found headliner fabric at Joanne Fabrics when I covered the headliners in VIN 6032 about 12 years ago. They had a gray headliner fabric that was a close match. Most fabric shops stock standard colors- black, gray, red, tan. You may have to shop at several fabric stores to find the shade of gray you are looking for.

Rod
10921

[Ryan King]

I found headliner fabric at Joanne Fabrics when I covered the headliners in VIN 6032 about 12 years ago. They had a gray headliner fabric that was a close match. Most fabric shops stock standard colors- black, gray, red, tan. You may have to shop at several fabric stores to find the shade of gray you are looking for.

Rod
10921

I was just going to chime in and say the same thing. They have a nice selection of different headliner fabrics.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd388109

Thats the material, just in tan. I would go there.

[Tin Man]

Center headliner now removed, but not without a fight. One of the screws holding the driver's visor in place was rusted and bent, and even with PB Blaster would not budge; after much struggling I ended up stripping it as well. I eventually got it off but not without the use of a vicegrip. Anyway, the residue from the old adhesive is now removed and I found the exact fabric that the doors are covered in at Joann Fabrics, its about 1/8 inch thick or so with the foam backing, so I should still be able to work with it. Now I just need to find the 3M adhesive spray Dave was talking about, and I can get started.

[Rich]

Now I just need to find the 3M adhesive spray Dave was talking about, and I can get started.

North Am retail sources for it include at least these 3:
O'Reilly/Kragen auto parts: www.oreillyauto.com
Fastenal industrial supply (great place for SS fasteners): www.fastenal.com
NAPA auto parts: www.napaonline

These outfits all have national retail presence so you should be able to phone ahead for pickup.

If in doubt about whether your adhesive and your technique will work well practice with some scraps first.

[outatym2001]

3M Foam Fast 74 Spray Adhesive Orange is what John the mechanic at DMC Northwest in Bellevue, Washington uses to attach the foam headliner fabric to the headliner boards.
It’s specifically designed for foam and it’s orange when sprayed out of the can.

He also uses an incredibly fine dental pick tool to raise the gray fabric if he accidently presses too hard on the headliner fabric while the glue is still wet. Once the glue is dry there is no way to fix mistakes except by going back to the beginning and doing it all over again.

John and Toby also converted a Left Hand Drive DeLorean to a Right Hand Drive. It is currently being prepped to be sent to the shipping docks for delivery to Australia. So they know their sheeeeet.

[Nicholas R]

I've always used the 3M Super 90 spray adhesive (in the green can). Stuff works great and has an adjustable spray nozzle. I buy it at home depot. As long as you give it enough time to tack before mating the fabric and panel, it should work great.