Replaceing coupe head lining.

[220bhp]

I want to replace the head lining in my coupe with a black material instead of the failing light colour I have at the moment.
What is the best material to use, and how difficult is it to do on a sunroof model.
I would need to ether replace or spray the existing trim, so what would I use for that.

[UrS4boy]

Headliner removal hints

I want to replace the head lining in my coupe with a black material instead of the failing light colour I have at the moment. What is the best material to use, and how difficult is it to do on a sunroof model. I would need to ether replace or spray the existing trim, so what would I use for that.

I just had my avant headliner done this summer by professionals. They used a bonded-foam fabric, i.e. the cloth colour/texture that you want bonded to a foam. Turned out good. They didn't cut/trim the openings the way I wanted but they are workable.

The main issues with the headliner are:

a) getting the headliner out
b) removing the residual, now orange and very very sticky, foam from the headliner board.

Getting the headliner out requires:

1. Removal of the sunroof control panel. Don't break the tabs. http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/272907.phtml
2. Removal of the grab handles
3. Removal of the sun visors (covers hide the screws, pry them off)
4. Removal of the A-, B- anc C- pillar covers - tricky (some hints here: http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/317899.phtml)
5. Removal of the sunroof opening trim ring (the headliner to the car) - good hints here: http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/312870.phtml
6. Pulling down the inner rubber door seals from the edge of the headliner to release the headliner
7. Getting the headliner board out. "Easy" in an avant, probably not too bad in a coupe, a b*tch in a sedan (lay the front seats flat and twist the headliner out of one of the back door openings. Try not to crease/break the fiberglass headliner board.
8. Removal of the cloth and sticky foam. - Scrapers, solvents, heat, you name it. Wear latex gloves. Have music going on. It's an awful job.

Here is one example of recovering using a fake black suede material:

http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/39970.phtml

[twoqu]

http://www.tvr-cerbera.net/Public/Au...ing/Index.html

[UrS4boy]

http://www.tvr-cerbera.net/Public/Au...ing/Index.html

Perfect.

[John.]

http://www.tvr-cerbera.net/Public/Au...ing/Index.html

Nice one, hoping to do mine sometime.

[s2driveruk]

sticky applied for that link and how to - spot on

[s2driveruk]

as an aside, mine was drooping along the rear (ooh err!) and i found an instant fix which has stayed in place for months now...staples. If the headlining is in decent condition then simply take the slack out if it, staple along the very edge and then with the trim strip back in place, you cannot see anything.

Could save the pain of a full removal and recover...at least in the short to medium term

[Nuvo]

This has previously been made a sticky David, by yourself no less, it's the fourth one down.

[s2driveruk]

see, multi-tasking on a conference call is never a good idea

[Nuvo]

That'll teach you.

[220bhp]

Many thanks Robin

[veneto rs2]

The sticky orange shaite....
I went mad with mine!
After a while i did the door trim which's the same sticky rubbish.
I can't remember where i got the info on the web but i'm sure it was a forum of professionals upholstery people...
They stated that the problem of our sagging headlining and door panels it's due to the begininning of water based glue in the 90s.
There are samples and feedbacks with pictures on that forum of bimmies with the same problem and those fellas going to work to remove the orange factor on headlining and door panels with....
Water.
And trust me it works a charm!
Don't get your headlining board socked with water.
Get an inclined board where you can lean the part and rins with water and clean the sticky paste goes off without problem.
Dry the part on open air, do not expose to direct sun light and keep it up ward let's say 45 degrees and you'll be surprised!

[Tom_]

veneto rs2 Thanks for sharing. Good to know. I will be doing this this weekend so i am curious if that water works as you said