Headliner Question
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Logistics Pro
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From: Florida
Headliner Question
I finally got around to picking up a headliner for the F100.I'm gonna recover it in some Realtree Camo fabric or maybe an International Harvester flag or something like that.The headliner material is red,and I managed to pull just the material off.The foam is still on the cardboard backing.My question is,should I just leave the foam on or take it off?If I glue on the new material,will it even stick to the foam?I think I should take it off,because I imagine when I press down on the new fabric,the foam will just depress and stay that way,but i'm not really sure.What should I do?Thanks guys.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: northern cali
when you buy new headliner material it has a thin layer of foam fused to it...if the foam that's on there seems like it's holding together and not going to degrade, you could leave it there...make sure you get spray mount that's approved for upholstery use (I think 3m77 is one that is) and it should stick right to teh foam as long as the foam isnt crumbling
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Logistics Pro
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From: Florida
when you buy new headliner material it has a thin layer of foam fused to it...if the foam that's on there seems like it's holding together and not going to degrade, you could leave it there...make sure you get spray mount that's approved for upholstery use (I think 3m77 is one that is) and it should stick right to teh foam as long as the foam isnt crumbling
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: northern cali
you might want to buy headliner upholstery foam and then your fabric...do it in two stages...mount the foam to the liner then the fabric to the foam...try this: Patterns and supplies for quilters and fabric lovers: Headliner Foam...and make sure you get spray adhesive that's approved for upholstery like the 3M77
by the way, this is my plan when i find a headliner in good shape
by the way, this is my plan when i find a headliner in good shape
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
When I did mine, I went to the local upholstery and bought the backing foam for about $5.00. Stripped the headliner down to the cardboard backing. Glued the foam to the backing, then glued the new material over the foam. The real trick is to use the right adhesive. 3M makes a special spray adhesive specifically for vehicle interiors. Its a high heat application. Other adhesives will loosen and cause sagging during summer heat.
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Logistics Pro
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From: Florida
That's probably what i'm gonna end up doing.I've already got the old foam pulled off,and the backing is clean,so I guess i'm gonna find an upholstery shop and pick up some foam from them and look for the high heat 3M stuff.Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Most upholstery shops sell material with the foam backing already on it, just for use as headliner material.
Along with using the proper adhesive, getting the backer board as clean as possible is critical to the end result.
Along with using the proper adhesive, getting the backer board as clean as possible is critical to the end result.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: northern cali
right, but he'd said he had a custom fabric he wanted to use...ceiling upholstery fabric tends to be pretty conservative-looking...also, I contacted 3M about which adhesive to use specifically for headliners and they recommended 3M77 or 3M90...i bought both to try on my test pieces and i found that the 3M90 is so thick (kind of like cheeze whiz) that you could see it in some places through the fabric...the 3M77 went on smooth and stood up to 3 mos in the hot summer sun (left them sitting in my back yard to see how they held up)...that was just my experience...definitely contact 3M or an upholstery shop if you have questions about which adhesives will work best...
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Logistics Pro
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From: Florida
Yep,i'm gonna pick up some Realtree material from Jo-Ann and use that.
I think my game plan will be to prep the backing by making sure all the old foam is off,and there are no ridges or bumps of any kind,then i'll spray the backing and foam with the 3M77(if that doesn't work,than i'll move up to the 3M90),lay on the foam,spray it with the 3M77 and also the back of the material,and then carefully lay on the material from the center out being sure to keep it straight and free of folds and ridges.I'm hoping to do it next week or so.
I think my game plan will be to prep the backing by making sure all the old foam is off,and there are no ridges or bumps of any kind,then i'll spray the backing and foam with the 3M77(if that doesn't work,than i'll move up to the 3M90),lay on the foam,spray it with the 3M77 and also the back of the material,and then carefully lay on the material from the center out being sure to keep it straight and free of folds and ridges.I'm hoping to do it next week or so.
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From: northern cali
sounds like you're gonna do it exactly the way I plan to...lucky me cuz if you get to it first you can report on if you have any problems or see how something could be done better before I get into 
Post Fiend
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From: Lost
I've done a few headliners in the past. One tip that I found made it much easier to do. Lay the material out on the backer board, and fold it over to expose ~1/2 the board, apply the adhesive and work the first 1/2 down. Then repeat for the other side. Makes a big job seem much smaller.....
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Florida
I've done a few headliners in the past. One tip that I found made it much easier to do. Lay the material out on the backer board, and fold it over to expose ~1/2 the board, apply the adhesive and work the first 1/2 down. Then repeat for the other side. Makes a big job seem much smaller.....
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Logistics Pro
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From: Florida
Oh yes.It was easier since we weren't too worried about messing up a bug huge spot.It does help to have two people though so once can hold the other half and the other can lay down and smooth out the material.
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