longer lasting headliner material?

[Jason]

Has anyone tried replacing the headliner using something other than the usual foam backed fabric? I'm getting ready to replace my headliner for the 4th time, and I'd like to try something that will last longer than the 6 years or so I seem to get out of a headliner set. I don't mind if it doesn't match the original look, as long as it looks good and will last a long time.

Thanks
Jason

[Chris 16409]

A friend used a vinyl material to cover his headliners. Turned out nice.

[sdg3205]

Perforated leather would look badass.

[Jason]

A friend used a vinyl material to cover his headliners. Turned out nice.

Do you happen to have any pictures?

[delgato]

I had a silly idea. When I got my car the headliner material was already off on the doors. All that was there was the cardboard piece. I thought about finishing it off nicely and give it a coat of paint of some kind.

Not sure how that would work with the center T section. I have not taken that part off yet. A coat of paint would not have that tucked into the rubber door seal thing though.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I had a silly idea. When I got my car the headliner material was already off on the doors. All that was there was the cardboard piece. I thought about finishing it off nicely and give it a coat of paint of some kind.

Not sure how that would work with the center T section. I have not taken that part off yet. A coat of paint would not have that tucked into the rubber door seal thing though.

That won't work. The edges would be exposed, look unfinished and eventually warp. If money is no object (Roughly $100- plus a yard) then Alcantara (Generic name-Ultrasuede) might be the way to go. I may get around to going this route for my green car soon. The higher end German and some Italian exotics use this material in their interiors. If you think your Delorean deserves the best then look no further. Suede or leather would be a distant second choice and less pricey. Headliner material is cheaper still but then your back to the 6-7 year replacement cycle Jason is seeking to avoid. All boils down to the cost benefit ratio with a bit of "Kewl" factor thrown in with the better materials.
Rob

[papanoel]

Previous owner of my car did headliner in Alcantara

[Lou and "Boo"]

Me, I'm on a budget so I will hope mine lasts the projected seven years and when it needs replacing again, I'll have my son help me, he'll be 15 by then.
:)

[DMCMW Dave]

Has anyone tried replacing the headliner using something other than the usual foam backed fabric? I'm getting ready to replace my headliner for the 4th time,.....



What are you doing to the car? I recovered my headliner in 1998 and it still looks the same.

[Jason]

What are you doing to the car? I recovered my headliner in 1998 and it still looks the same.

Just driving it a lot. Well, about 10K miles per year, if that qualifies as a lot. For the first 10 years I had the car I didn't have a garage, so it was kept outside. Now I have a garage, but also young children, which means hands and feet everywhere. I've also had the occasional door seal leak, which I fix as soon as I notice, but the first sign is usually wet headliner.

[Nicholas R]

What kind of glue are you using?

[Jason]

What kind of glue are you using?

I don't remember since it was 6 years ago, but probably whatever was most recommended here at the time. And one of the headliner replacements was done by an auto upholstery shop. The problem seems to be mostly the fabric separating from the foam, and not the foam from the boards.

[jamesrguk]

Sounds more like an adhesive or preparation issue to me.

I cleaned mine as best I could to remove the old glue and backing foam, I even **very carefully** drifted a blow torch over the surface to burn off old foam and any protruding fibres.
I then applied several layers of resin, first coat absolutely saturating the backing, by the 4th coat I effectivly had a smooth resin surface to then attach the adhesive and material to.

I gently scuffed the surface with sandpaper, then used adhesive from an upholsterer contact, it was a pressurised spray in what looked like a 5kg gas bottle.

That was probably 10 years ago now as you would expect there are some marks round the edges where the doors close and rub a little, but the material is still stuck fast and hasn't sagged.

I would like to replace the backing boards with new fibreglass versions one day as whilst the material is stuck fast the edges of the door ones have warped over time and you can see the edge when you look through the side windows.

James

[Chris 16409]

Do you happen to have any pictures?

Here's one of the door:
39578

[Rodney]

Hi all,

I am planning on doing my headliners this winter. Would the material stay in place longer if I get the non foam type? I saw the suede (polyester) type foamed and not. Has anyone done it without the foam? Or is foam the protocol? Thanks, Rod.

[David T]

Hi all,

I am planning on doing my headliners this winter. Would the material stay in place longer if I get the non foam type? I saw the suede (polyester) type foamed and not. Has anyone done it without the foam? Or is foam the protocol? Thanks, Rod.

If you are trying to replicate the original way it was done you need to use the foam backed materiel. It gives a plusher feeling and hides any minor imperfections of the backer. Should last 20 years or longer if you keep the car out of the sun and the heat.

[Rodney]

If you are trying to replicate the original way it was done you need to use the foam backed materiel. It gives a plusher feeling and hides any minor imperfections of the backer. Should last 20 years or longer if you keep the car out of the sun and the heat.

David,

Great point. I will go with the foam backing. Thanks, Rod.

[todd1561]

Yeah I can't imagine why your headliners are so failure prone. I did mine over 10 years ago with the standard foam backed liner and they still look brand new. Granted I only drive about 1,000 miles/year and always garage the car. When I did mine I took the old liners out and cleaned the boards well, even used an orbital sander lightly to remove all the glue. I then had an upholstery shop supply and apply the material and I reinstalled in the car.