How To Replace Car Headlining/Roofliner
  • Headlining/Roofliner Material (Foam Backed Brushed Nylon) – (Average Sedan Requires 2m – Measure your headliner to be accurate)
  • Foam Contact Adhesive (High heat / Hard Surface Application)
  • Stanley knife
  • Scissors
  • Screwdrivers
  • Bristle brush or light sandpaper

OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED

Apart from the products available from www.homeupholsterer.com.au you may also require:

    1. Bristle brush or light sandpaper
    2. Screwdrivers

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

       1.  Remove the existing headlining

  • Remove all the trim surrounding the headlining
  • Unscrew/remove any items attached to the headlining including: sun visors, rear-view mirror, grab handles, dome lights
  • Unclip clips/fasteners that are holding the headlining board in place
  • Remove side trim panels (take extra care as plastic panels can easily break)
  • Carefully remove front and rear trim panels
  • Slide the headlining board out of the vehicle (ensuring to this carefully and with enough clearance so not to damage the board).
  • Set the board on a flat work surface.
  • Peel off the old material from the car headlining board
 

       2.   Remove the old foam and glue

  • Use a bristle brush or lightweight sandpaper to scrape the remaining foam off the headlining board. 

Tip: Be gentle but thorough as this will affect the overall finish of your new headlining

 

       3.  Prepare the new headlining velour material

  • Spread your new headlining velour fabric over the headlining board (with the foam side lying against the board and the fabric facing up)
  • Ensure that you have smoothed out any folds or wrinkles

 

       4.   Gluing the fabric to the board

Tip: Be very careful – the adhesive bonds on contact – so once glued the two surfaces will begin to stick immediately.

  • Complete the adhesive process in two parts, by gluing half the fabric at a time.
  • To do this, fold half of the headlining velour fabric back onto itself, leaving half of the headlining board exposed
  • Evenly spray the back of the headlining fabric as well as the exposed half headlining board in a sweeping side to side motion
  • Gently stretch the adhesive coated fabric over the board, pressing and smoothing it with the palm of your hand
  • Repeat the gluing and attaching steps with the remaining half
  • Give the completed board a rub with the palms of your hands, to ensure all areas have adhered 

Tip: Make sure your hands are clean

  • Wait for the adhesive to dry

 

       5.  Cut the new headlining

  • Turn the board over
  • Using a sharp Stanley knife, carefully trim excess fabric from the around edges of the board. Allow for a 1.5cm border of fabric to tuck in during installation.
  • Next, cut holes in the car headliner where the lights, seat belts, visors and clothes hangers need to be attached. 
  • Glue borders/overlapping material to back of board
  • Wait for the adhesive to dry

 

       6.   Reinstall headlining in car

  • Reinstall the headlining board in the vehicle
  • Secure the headlining with the car's clips (if applicable)
  • Replace all the panels, trim and accessories that you removed in the beginning

 

For more advice about the products needed to replace your car rooflining / headliner material, visit us at our Sydney showroom and warehouse, or order online for shipping around Australia.