The last thing you want to worry about in your car is a sagging headliner – it can be quite distracting. You want to fix it, but not deal with removing the headliner, especially if you plan on putting in a new headliner anyway.
In this guide, I will talk you through all the easiest methods to fix the headliner. Luckily, there is no need to remove the headliner to make sure it is good again!
What is the Headliner?
The headliner is the fabric material that runs on the interior roof of your vehicle. It can add a ton of style to your vehicle, but it has some functional purposes as well.
The headliner assists in insulate your cabin from the outside temperature. It is also great at absorbing vibrations, leaving the cabin a bit quieter while driving as well.
The headliner is more than just fabric material – in fact, it is usually made up multi-layers included. The first layer is that piece of cardboard, fiberglass, or foam that runs on the back of the headliner.
They will then wrap this with cloth, leather, or vinyl, which is typically where the sagging begins on older vehicles.
5 Ways to Fix a Sagging Headliner
The easiest way to fix a sagging headliner is with glue; however, you can also use thumbtacks or pins.
Some will use staples and hairspray, while using carpenter’s tape is another option. If none of those options sound appealing, steaming the headliner may yield the results you want.
Here is a more detailed description of how to repair a sagging headliner.
#1. Glue.
A common solution is to glue the headliner back up. But it is not a straightforward process. If you’re going to fix it, you want to do it when it first starts sagging.
The sagging typically will first start at the front where the headliner meets the windshield in the top of the roof. This is the first place to fail due to sun exposure. Some convenient headliner adhesive from the auto parts store will often do the trick with minimal effort.
#2. Thumbtacks/Pins.
You can also hold down the headliner with some pins or thumbtacks. This is not the most esthetically pleasing option but is one of the fastest options, particularly if you are in a hurry.
Use your pins to attach the material to the interior layer of the headliner. If you are feeling a bit creative, you can even create a design with the tacks.
There is an option of using special upholstery pins which can help with appearance a little bit, too. If you go with some pins in a corkscrew design, it will simply twist the pin in place to lock down for extra security.
#3. Staples & Hairspray.
This might not be the first idea that comes into your mind but has been successful many times. Just use a stapler gun to attach the headliner to the fabric underneath.
Spray the headliner with some hairspray and let it sit for a while to dry. Once everything has had a chance to dry, then you can try to remove the staples and see what happens.
#4. Double-Sided Carpenter’s Tape.
If you have a roll of carpenter’s tape in your toolbox, you probably won’t need to go buy anything to get this fix done. Simply cut off as much tape as you need and stick it to the headliner.
Take off the backing and attach it to the roof. You can do it anywhere on the headliner that is sagging for very little cost. This won’t work if only the center of the headliner is sagging down, because you need an edge free to stick the tape to.
#5. Steam.
Steam may be the easiest and most reliable method for fixing a sagging headliner without removing it.
With a little steaming, you should be able to reactivate the glue that fastened the headliner to the structure. A small steam cleaner can melt the adhesive for better stickiness.
Start with a small area to see if it can be done. If the glue is too old, then you will not be able to reactivate it. Continue down the headliner as if you were painting with a roller leaving steam in your path.
As you move along, you will press the headliner back against the first layer of material. This method also will reduce creases and wrinkles in the fabric.
Cost to Replace Headliner
If fixing the headliner doesn’t work, you might need to replace it, which can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the type of vehicle you have and where you are located.
If the car is older, and maybe not worth a lot of money, this is not something you want to spend money doing. You could always remove the headliner and drive with it not in place.
What is the best adhesive for a headliner?
There are many materials that can be used for sagging headliners, but the most popular is 3M’s Super 77 Multipurpose Adhesive. This spray adhesive works on many materials, and creates a strong bond with fabric and plastic, among other things.
Alternatives would be products like Weldwood’s Contact Cement and adhesives that are neoprene-based. But to help you choose, it might be a good idea to find out what type of material your headliner is at this point.
That way you can avoid the risk of damaging the fabric or the plastic underneath it by using an adhesive that is considered inappropriate.
What causes a saggy headliner?
Headliners drop when they detach from the plastic or fiberglass surfaces where they are glued. This is due to the adhesive holding them being insufficiently joined, or failing altogether.
This problem is more prevalent in older vehicles, since older the car and the age takes its toll on the adhesive bond. Although, there are some aspects that can speed up the bond break down.
These include leaving the vehicle outside frequently in sunny weather, mechanically damaging the headliner, and or cleaning the headliner using water.
Is Gorilla spray adhesive good for headliners?
Gorilla Spray is a strong all-purpose adhesive that works well for many different purposes, including quickly repairing sagging headliners. Gorilla Spray is well-known for its strong bonds and quick drying time.
That quick drying time is very helpful when re-installing the headliner into position above. That said, there are some limitations to be aware of.
Due to its chemical composition, Gorilla Spray does not work well for foam-backed or treated materials.
How many cans of spray adhesive are needed for the headliner?
Determining how many spray adhesive cans are needed to reattach a sagging headliner depends on two factors – the size of the vehicle which determines the area of the headliner, and what the spray adhesive covers.
By diving the headliner area by the coverage rate, you can figure out exactly how many cans of spray adhesive you will need.
The headliner is considered an interior trim piece that adds a finished look to the underneath side of the car’s metal roof. It also helps reduce wind noise and adds thermal insulation, thus providing a more comfortable interior environment.
Most headliners are constructed of a plastic or fiberglass substrate and covered with either a fabric or leather material.
Over time, the adhesive used to glue the fabric or leather to the substrate may decline and ultimately fail, leading the headliner material to sag. In situations like this, it is usually more practical to re-adhere the headliner material to the substrate versus replacing the entire headliner.
There are multiple products that would work for this repair, including Gorilla Spray or 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Adhesive.