Strengthen/Repair headliner?

[jballard81]

Morning!
I'm putting new headliner in but the cardboard (??) backer is rough on a few spots.

I was thinking I could add some thin veneer type wood or something similar to fix the bad spots. What have y'all done in this situation?

 

[JoshT]

I hate to be a naysayer, but I think that one is toast. That boards starts doing that and I think it's just going to keep getting worse.

IMO, I'd source another. Looks like you've got an extended cab so one any from 1993-2011 extended cab should work. If it's regular cab you'd need 93-97 due to can length change, or possibly shorten a 98+ one.

 

[jballard81]

I hate to be a naysayer, but I think that one is toast. That boards starts doing that and I think it's just going to keep getting worse.

IMO, I'd source another. Looks like you've got an extended cab so one any from 1993-2011 extended cab should work. If it's regular cab you'd need 93-97 due to can length change, or possibly shorten a 98+ one.

Ugh. Everything I've seen in the boneyards are as bad or worse. I haven't looked at aftermarket options though.

Thanks for the info!

 

[JoshT]

Maybe you can get lucky.

I've seen people make new ones out of similar material from Lowes or Home Depot. That was on older trucks where it was mostly flat board, not formed like these newer trucks.

I wouldn't try to make the whole board out of that, but maybe you can use the same stuff to make patches for yours.

LMC carries some headliners for these trucks if you want to go new aftermarket.

 

[jballard81]

Maybe you can get lucky.

I've seen people make new ones out of similar material from Lowes or Home Depot. That was on older trucks where it was mostly flat board, not formed like these newer trucks.

I wouldn't try to make the whole board out of that, but maybe you can use the same stuff to make patches for yours.

LMC carries some headliners for these trucks if you want to go new aftermarket.

I will keep an eye out for a replacement!
I think for now I will look for some kind of glue to fix up the frayed edges and find something from Lowe's for the flatter rough spots.

Appreciate it!

 

[jballard81]

Well, I made do with what I had on hand bc of timing. Hack job is putting it mildly

I glued cardboard to the worst spots and then slapped the new fabric on. In my infinite wisdom I started with the back so that my mistakes would be more hidden...

Couple of janky folds, but could be worse. The headliner spray I got is unforgiving. Once the surfaces meet, they are mates for life.

Was able to lay the front down a bit slower and only have one real fold

No pics of it installed, but it's in and for the $40 it cost, I'm calling it a 90% improvement.
Luckily I broke more plastic trim to ensure I'm never truly done working on the truck

The headliner fabric added a good amount of strength once it was installed. Hopefully it will give me a few good years. Will try to remember to get some installed pics tomorrow

 

[franklin2]

You will find the interior profession is not as precise as say a engine or transmission rebuild. What the guy did above I have done. If you have the broken piece of board there, duct tape works well to put it back together also. Just to hold it long enough so you can glue the new fabric in place. The new headliner will then hold it, along with the visor brackets, the outside plastic trim, etc.

 

[CrabGuy]

If you are having a problem with the headliner contact cement bonding too quickly you can use long strips of wax paper in between the form and material. Then slowly expose the area you are gluing. It gives you more time to get a smoother outcome.

 

[franklin2]

Another trick is to do one half at a time. Align the headliner on the cardboard, and then carefully fold the headliner over on itself half-way without moving it too much on the cardboard.

Paint the exposed back of the headliner with glue, and the exposed cardboard with glue. Let it dry and then carefully start at the fold and bring the folded backside down onto the cardboard with the glue on it.

Once you work it and press it all the way out to the edges, take the other half that is unglued and fold it over onto the glued side, apply the glue to the cardboard and the exposed folded headliner, and then do the same, working from the middle to the edge.

 

[mikkelstuff]

I had the auto upholstery shop do the headliner in my 2002 Ranger when redoing the seats - HA!

 

[jballard81]

Here it is installed. Is it perfect? nowhere near it , but it is a huge improvement over how it originally looked. Thanks to all for the input and help on this project!

 

[superj]

that looks great in the picture