HEADLINER TIME!!!

[jeff0093]

So it's finally happening my headliner has seen better days, I've tried to hold off as long as I could but it's time.

Here are a couple samples from my coach trim.

I'm looking for advice for people who have gone threw this. Is Veterano a know supplier? Recommend any others over this? What is my color, can anyone figure it out with my vin: WDBEA36E9PB972328 I'm guessing MB57??


Option one: Replace headliner only

Option two: Replace headliner and sunroof panel. (sunroof panel right now is perfect)
just not sure if this is going to have a issue in the near future and or also will match.

I have 100% confidence in his work, so that a none issue, I know it's not going to be inexpensive, but I want to do it only one once.

Jeff-

 

[Ntrepid]

When I did my headliner, the guy at the shop took swatches off of several bolts and we put them up against the current headliner to see which matched the best in the given light.

As for doing the sunroof panel, I decided just to do everything since the panel was (1) small, (2) easy to pop off and put new material on, and (3) guaranteed to match for as long as I have the headliner.

My vote is for Option 2.


Robert

 

[RicardoD]

Can I ask a dumb question? Is there no way to remove and reapply the existing headliners? Mine is starting to sag as well but it is in perfect condition.

 

[Kip]

No. I researched it for mine. Like yours, mine is in perfect condition but is starting to droop just a bit. A search here as well as talking to 2 recommended (by members here) upholstery shops all gave the same results. Apparently the glue originally used fails and it is next to impossible to get it all off. One shop tried in the past (unsuccessfully) to reglue one and it turned into a slight disaster, creating even more work to replace it. I've been told that OEM or a very close match is available. I'll be doing mine before Legends if you want to make a look at what they used.

 

[Klink]

Can I ask a dumb question? Is there no way to remove and reapply the existing headliners? Mine is starting to sag as well but it is in perfect condition.

Not a dumb question at all! Millions have tried, because it is the obvious "common sense" answer, but it doesn't work. What actually happens is not that so much that they come unglued, but that the sponge/foam backing of the headliner material disintegrates and turns into a sticky powder, which then detaches in uneven clumps. No matter how carefully one tries to remove the remnants of the padding, the surface on the back side of the vinyl remains uneven and lumpy, and this shows through the finished product in a most unsightly manner. This happens even if one glues it over another thin foam backing. Millions of man-hours and billions of tax dollars have been spent trying to make it work. It won't.

 

[r44raven]

Can I ask a dumb question? Is there no way to remove and reapply the existing headliners? Mine is starting to sag as well but it is in perfect condition.

+ 1 with Klink and Kip.

I'm one of the Millions that tried this!

The saying "You either pay once, or pay twice" is very appropriate here!

 

[DarkStar]

It would be great if GAHH sold the correct headliner material. I don't believe they do. I recommend not redoing the sunroof a its 10x the work vs the headliner.

 

[gsxr]

I recommend not redoing the sunroof a its 10x the work vs the headliner.

That was my thoughts as well - however I've never done either one.

 

[tewfiks]

I am also currently experiencing headliner sag. Am I to assume there is no other way to fix this issue other than removing the headliner and replacing it with another panel?
I like the idea of alcantara, but does this require having a shop fabricate a panel to adhere it to?

I noticed my CE is starting this process as well.....

 

[gsxr]

You remove your existing panel, have the shop strip off the saggy material and crumbly foam backing, then apply new material to the existing panel/frame. Be careful with R&R, it's a tight squeeze out the door and if you bend it too much the panel can break.

 

[samiam44]

I've done a few headliners in the past... it is more difficult to get it perfect than most give credit. Both my attempts are decent, but not perfect. Granted the material costs were very very low.

With my past experience, I will probably pay and not DIY the headliner in my 500e.

 

[tewfiks]

Is there a set of instructions for removal? I assume it is attached via clips and it just pulls off?

 

[jeff0093]

I decided to bring it to the expert Johann my coach builder, I also dropped off my Armrest from my recaro office chair I guess after 16 years it needs some service.

 

[gsxr]

Is there a set of instructions for removal? I assume it is attached via clips and it just pulls off?

Follow the factory procedure, it is very specific.