What could cause your car’s headliner to sag? It could be because your car is old, you don’t take good care of it, or you took a long trip in hot weather. Is there a way to avoid all of this trouble? How to repair a sagging headliner without taking it off? Let’s find out!
Your car won’t last forever like a diamond, and as it ages, it starts to have small problems and niggles more often than it did when you first bought it. No matter how good you are at taking care of your car, some problems are best left to the experts. When the roof lining of a car gets old, it may start to sag, which can be a surprise and a sight to be avoided.
If you take care of this problem as soon as you notice it, you can fix it. But it will worsen if you don’t take care of it for a long time. In the end, you will need a professional to fix it.
But first, if you want to try to do this on your own, you can. We can’t stop you, but it would be best if we could help you along the way. Check out this page for a guide on how to repair a sagging car headliner.
Car Headliner: A Basic Guide
The car roof lining is a fabric that goes on inside a car’s roof. It is also called the headliner.
Mostly, it’s there to:
- Give the car’s interior a smooth feel and improve its looks and feels.
- Noise reduction means taking in noise from the outside and keeping noise made inside the car from getting out at full volume.
- It helps control the temperature inside the car, making it cooler in the summer when the AC is on and warmer in the winter when the AC is off.
- Overall, it will be easier and more pleasant to drive.
Also, some cars today have new features like head-impact protection and LED lighting for a better finish.
Read how to Clean Your Headliner here.
How to take care of Car Headliner
One of the most common reasons for a sagging headliner is not fixing it after it has been damaged. This can be caused by wear and tear, water damage, physical force, and other things.
If you fix a sagging car headliner right away, it will get easier to fix by hand because it’s easy to do it right, especially if you need more experience. The glue that holds it to the roof starts to come off and break down over time, which makes it sag.
Basic Tips to Repair your Car’s Sagging Headliner
Here are some tips for taking care of the inside of your car’s roof:
•Try to park your car in the shade as much as possible. It will keep the inside and outside of the house in good shape.
•Make sure that kids and pets are properly strapped into their seats, so they don’t keep touching the roof.
•Check your rubber seals often to ensure water isn’t getting into your car.
What causes your car headliner to sag?
The main reason for this problem is the heat. It loosens the fabric by melting the glue. Also, some cars may not be well sealed against water, which could let water get into the foam on the roof lining and break down the glue.
Drivers with kids or pets are more likely to have a sagging headliner. This happens when the kids or pets scratch or pull on the headliner, which stresses the glue and speeds up the aging process.
What to Keep in Mind
1. If the headlining is coming away from the edges, you can glue it back on. The best thing to do would be to use glue made for this purpose.
Get it in a spray can if you can. This will make sure that the glue is spread out evenly. But to do this, you should take the material off the canvas and glue it back on. Most of the time, it’s best to replace the whole roof liner with new material and glue since you don’t know how well the new glue will stick to the old glue. Most of the time, professionals will take off the old glue and put on new glue and material.
2. Don’t use home remedies like hairspray, staples, or pins. If you get into an accident, those pins will fall out and become dangerous. The last thing you want to find yourself in the middle of when you’re in a car accident is a bunch of flying pins. Not only that, but pins are very ugly, so if you want to fix it, do it right. The purpose of hairspray is to keep your hair in place, not to stick to your roof. It may be sticky, but it won’t do.
3. If you use a steam cleaner, don’t use too much pressure or steam. Yes, steam is good at melting glue, but you don’t want to let water get past the lining and into the foam.
How to Repair your Car’s Sagging Headliner
1. Safely remove the headliner canvas by first taking off any brackets, handles, or trims that might be holding it in place. Be careful because these areas can become brittle over time. If the roof lining is damaged, these areas will likely be damaged similarly. Use the right tools to take apart the environment.
2. Once you’ve taken it apart, put all the screws, bolts, brackets, and handles in an orderly way. The last thing you want is a screw that isn’t there.
3. Peel the material off safely and brush the old glue off the canvas. Once the glue has been taken off, you can put glue on the canvas.
4. Gently roll over the new headlining material section by section, and use your other hand to smooth out the area for a smooth finish. Cars with DVD players and other attachments on the roof must have the holes cut out.
5. Once the new liner is on the canvas, it’s time to put it back on the car roof and secure it with the brackets, screws, and other things you got in step two. Gently clean the inside of the roof and wipe it down if there are any fingerprints. Let it dry overnight.
Final Thoughts
The car roof lining is an important part of your car because it gives the inside a nice look. It would be best if you gave it the right care and attention to keep it looking good.
Normal wear and tear happen to all cars as they get older. The most important thing to remember is that sagging usually starts at the edges, and fixing it as soon as you notice it will save you money and time. If you’re in a tight spot, don’t have time, and need it done quickly, you should always hire a professional car roof lining repairer.
Use Way+ to Reinforce your Car!
Most likely, a sagging headliner will need to be changed. You can do this for about $50, which is good news.
Go to an auto parts store or shop online and buy a repair kit and glue for the headliner. If you’d rather have a professional do it, replacing the headliner will cost between $200 and $350 at an auto repair shop.
Consider adding coverage for towing and labor to your car insurance or thinking about getting a Way.com roadside assistance membership. With Way.com, you’ll get the best roadside assistance in the business, including towing, a hotline for mechanics, and help if you get locked out of your car.
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