Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior reupholstering my headliner

I'm ready to cover my headliner with black suede, so here's a before pic, and I'll post an after probably later tonight.

sweet...get that pic up bro

good luck

I've been waiting for someone to approach the headliner for a while. I had some ideas myself but I can't wait to see your pics. Your a Godsend. Pics and install would be great. Good luck

Suede

What were your ideas? We'll se if any of them are the same, because I'm still thinking my way through this.

I was thinking of either replacing it or re-upholstering it like you but I was afraid of a sag in the future and I wasn't sure of what fabric to use because I want it as stock as possible without it looking like a rug on my ceiling. Painting crossed my mind for a split second and then left. Honestly I was thinking about chopping some poor suckers Celica for it but then again i'm too old for that. Like I said good luck, you have more balls than me to attempt it. If it comes out fine I may try it in the near future when it gets warmer here.

it sounds like you've got the same concerns as I do about it. I thought of using the spray dye that I found at one of the auto parts stores here in town, but I really want the suede look. I'm thinking I'll use some kind of spray adhesive to hold the suede in place while some other kind of glue (that probably takes longer) sets for a better hold.
I've also been tossing around ideas of how to use some kind of pins to add some support against the ever present enemy(gravity).

The problem with suede is that it is a heavier fabric than say silk so the sag factor is present. I had an old Malibu where the fabric from the headliner was sagging everywhere and had to tack it up with staples that's what i'm afraid of. A good epoxy or industrial strength adhesive spread evenly and thinly along with fasteners on the underside should work, but if there is even the slightest gap or hole the wind will make it sag when your windows are down over time. I fixed cigarette burns in my floor cutting the rug under the gas petal. I cut it to fit and frayed the edges. You couldn't tell there was a hole there unless you got close and inspected it. I attached the replacement with an industrial strength adhesive and it held up over 1 year with constant vacuumings. I'm not sure if this helps any, I just don't want to be the first to attempt it. Good luck again.

that's pimp

I don't mean to be a whore, but I was thinking, being an artist, to stretch the fabric like a canvas and then adding an adhevsive and fasteners. Being a painter I've stretched many canvases, but the headliner isn't a true square or rectangle, it has dips and curves so this would just add in the gap and sag. Don't know just stretching here - pun intended.

yes, if you send a pm to isaac he might consider putting it in the install guide as well

my headliner has a small stain i'd like to get rid of...but i wouldnt mind suede replacing the whole thing either

lol, still racking my brain on this... will post some more pics, and do an install if i ever figure anything out

IT'S DONE!!

Here's a pic with the dome light set on it for effect, but not installed in the car yet (tomorrow)

I'll put together an install when I know if my attempt was completely successful, of if I have to make changes.

close-up

Looks good man

Looks good so far, I hope it doesn't peel on ya.

it looks really good. i plan on doing my headliner soon too. i foudn this tutorial and im thinking about using ti to redo my headliner for more of a custom look
http://www.angelfire.com/fl5/import/headliner.html

looks good!!!

not bad~

My cousin has been doing this in different cars. I know he has done an older corolla and a cavilier. He just pulls the headliner out and sprays glue all over it and pulls the new fabric over it tightly and presses it on good, and I havnt heard any problems from his customers.

So I was kinda thinking of doing the suede in mine too

sweeeeeeeeeet!

WELL... the headliner is ready to re-install, but it's snowing here, and I'm nervous about taking it outside and getting it wet. SNOW SUCKS

that's one sweet custom job. one question though: does it stand out in a negative way against the rest of your cars interior? my headliner is the same as the rest of my sides so i was just wondering. i'd love to see some pics if i can.

still, thats awesome

I'll post some pics if I can get outside to put it bad in my car without having it snowed on. Besides, i'm dying my interior a darker gray to go better with the black.

Amazing job!!! I might have to try it now.

Thanks! Good luck with your project. I'm going to put together an install guide with some of the tricks that I learned.

Here's a pic with a piece of stock-color interior plastic set on it for contrast. The A-pillar is stock color, the other piece at the bottom of the pic is the color that my interior and dash will be when I'm done.

sweet be sure to send a pm to isaac, like i said earlier, he might put it up on the installation guides

how much did that run you, and where did it get done at? BTW looks good

Man that's lookin real good
All the props to ya bro

The suede cost me $13, and the spray adhesive cost $11.

and, I did it myself with the help of my room-mate

thanks!

Very nice!, you did a good job. wow Angelica..never noticed you lived in pitt...i live in meadville...just south of erie.

NICE!, that should cut down on some road noise too