Proper way to fix sagging Headliner

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

thecantaloupeman

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2019
Posts
447
Reaction score
144
Location
US
First Name
Dawson
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
350
Steel wool with light pressure, hard bristle brush with light pressure. The key is remembering that the backer board is old and frail. Be gentle with it.

As far as the vinyl, if its still in good shape, then maybe mild soap and water or a soft brush. Again its old and frail too. I really don't know of a good way to remove the old glue. It will be some testing in a corner to find out.

If you can get the vinyl clean you can get 1/4" foam by itself and apply it to the vinyl, then after it dries a day or two, then apply it to the backer board.
All this old glue just peels off. Do I need to remove the grey stuff to get it down to bare yellow? Or just get the old glue off? I'm assuming I need the grey stuff of the back of the vinyl, but I'm not sure about the backer board.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

dvdswan

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
2,036
Location
Port Orchard, WA
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
As long as the board and material doesn't have any loose old adhesive it will be fine. I would fix that gouge first though. Any bumps or uneven surface will show after your done. Small bumps will hide but can still show.

Just remember to install a 1/4" foam between the board and material. If you just attach the material to the board you will get an echo sound in the cab. Nothing horrible, it would be just like no headliner.
 

thecantaloupeman

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2019
Posts
447
Reaction score
144
Location
US
First Name
Dawson
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
350
As long as the board and material doesn't have any loose old adhesive it will be fine. I would fix that gouge first though. Any bumps or uneven surface will show after your done. Small bumps will hide but can still show.

Just remember to install a 1/4" foam between the board and material. If you just attach the material to the board you will get an echo sound in the cab. Nothing horrible, it would be just like no headliner.
What's the best adhesive to do this all with? Should I use the same stuff for the 1/4" foam as the actual vinyl?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

dvdswan

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
2,036
Location
Port Orchard, WA
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
3M adhesive. They sell it at Joann's as well. Yes use the same adhesive for the foam. Remember to spray both surfaces and wait until each is tacky. I would attach the foam to the vinyl first let it cure a day or 2, then attach the foam/vinyl to the backer board.

If available have a buddy help so it can be laid flat with no ripples or bumps. 1/4 foam is frail and could tear if you try to peel it off if you get a bump or ripple out.
 

thecantaloupeman

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2019
Posts
447
Reaction score
144
Location
US
First Name
Dawson
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
350
3M adhesive. They sell it at Joann's as well. Yes use the same adhesive for the foam. Remember to spray both surfaces and wait until each is tacky. I would attach the foam to the vinyl first let it cure a day or 2, then attach the foam/vinyl to the backer board.

If available have a buddy help so it can be laid flat with no ripples or bumps. 1/4 foam is frail and could tear if you try to peel it off if you get a bump or ripple out.
I was hoping to reuse my old vinyl fabric because I cleaned it with soap and water and got all the old foam off. It looks pretty much brand new, but I think it shrunk. I layed it over the backer board and it doesn't line up and doesn't reach the edges. I'm gonna leave it in the sun to expand and see if that works, but I think I'm gonna need new fabric. Anyone know if Joann's has that perforated vinyl in that color? Thanks.
 

thecantaloupeman

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2019
Posts
447
Reaction score
144
Location
US
First Name
Dawson
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
350
Ummmm....ok, I'm your huckleberry.
I ended up going with a cloth version of my perforated vinyl. It is very close on the color and if anything it's actually a bit richer tan which I like. The original vinyl I had ended up expanding to fit nicely, but it shrunk within the minute I moved it into the shade to start glueing. So now I don't have to worry about that with this cloth.

I was planning on doing doing duck canvas but I tried the glue on a sample and it stained. This cloth I ended up with was 3.37 on clearance and I got almost two yards.

I think it's gonna look awesome. I might have to buy different glue because I got the super yellow stuff which is for heavy duty headliners. This is a pretty light fabric so I'm just going to buy something that dries clear. If it doesn't work out I got a sample of just tan headliner foam and will try that as a backup. But I'll post pics when it is done.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

Jeff Lewis

Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2019
Posts
47
Reaction score
48
Location
Missouri
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
3.2
When the cloth is hanging down, that is not the headliner, not really fixable. Stay away from the chevy catalogs and get a new headliner from Rock Auto, easy install.
 

trukman1

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Posts
340
Reaction score
138
Location
USA
First Name
Gary
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
K5 Blazer
Engine Size
5.7 L (350)
If you want to just replace material plus fix your damaged headliner board, I recommend you go to "You Tube" and look at the video by Lucky Needle to learn how to repair board and install new headliner material. I'm doing this on my K5 and it's headliner board is damaged also. He will show how to fix board cheaply but right and install new material. I don't recall the exact amount my material cost but it wasn't much and I got it from Stock Interiors. Hope this helps.
 

FireTruck1984

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2019
Posts
2,986
Reaction score
9,926
Location
Michigan
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1984 and 1984
Truck Model
High Sierra K1500 350. Sierra Classic C1500 305.
Engine Size
350, 305
The best fix is a new abs plastic headliner, I’ve installed 2 of them. Very easy to install, Excellent fit and color match. It will never sag again. It’s worth the $100 investment ! LMC Truck and other vendors sell this item
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
5,221
Reaction score
12,021
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
Well, yeah, but not necessarily.

I put one in about a year ago and the fabric is already starting to separate from the plastic. Hopefully it's just one spot, but I'm not impressed right now.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,171
Posts
950,814
Members
36,286
Latest member
goodwrenchca
Top