Changing the roof liner

[my2rotties]

Hi all. I have been detailing my car, and have a problem. I washed down the dirty white roofliner, and noticed ugly yellow staining. It looks like water stains, but it is all dry in there, and nothing is damaged. I tried everything to get the stains off. They almost seem like nicotine stains that have petrified. GACK! I tried a small amount of reducer, pre cleaner for paint and ever acitone. Nothing would budge it.

When we purchased the car, a new black roof liner was included. I was told it is murder to replace it. Is this true? What do I have to do to remove it. I am used to Chevys, and they are pretty simple to change anything inside. They are all screws and stupid clips that break...

So anyone have any suggestions of what might remove the staining? If not, what is involved with removing the roofliner. I have a Haines manual and the thing is totally useless for anything I might need

Thanks in advance, Diana.

[FrayAdjacent911]

I'm pretty sure you actually have to remove the front and rear windsheilds to replace the headliner... and if you do that, you should replace the window seals... and you'll probably have to have a professional glass installer do it, because it ain't easy, from what I hear.

I plan on replacing my headliner during my restoration, but I also plan on taking out the windows anyway. Kill as many birds with as few stones possible!

[RickM]

If it's leather or vinyl then the easiest way to go is to redye using www.colorplus.com or www.letherique.com dye products. Black is a standard, off the shelf color for both companies.

[Yellowbird RS]

Yes you need to remove front and rear windsheilds, rear 1/4s windows and seals also sunvisors and int. lights.

[scottb]

Do a search on "headliner" here on the board. I seem to recall that it is a VERY difficult project.

[afterburn 549]

1 to -10 -I would give it a 8.......at least for fustration...if you have worked with your hands alot it will be a do able if not ..............
The hardest part is just all the tugging and pulling to get to look right.....you need lots of clips ( save the old ones as you take that one out) clothes pins help too, .It only took me two headliners for one car......the second one I got from mom here and was much more manageable plus I ironed it all out 1st (learing curve).
Do not cut anything tiil the very last,oh and a can of 3m is usefull

[Rich76_911s]

Replacing the headliner is a project in Waynes book, 101 projects for your porsche 911. You can order it at http://www.101projects.com/ a worthwhile book if you like doing jobs on your own car.

[my2rotties]

GACK! That is news I did not want to hear. I had NO CLUE you needed to take the glass out. I am really good with my hands, but who wants to do this! Darned Germans... I guess I can look into redying the roof liner, but perhaps I can just live with it. I am the only one that notices it for the most part. I am very anal when it comes to detailing my cars. The car is in mint condition, but then previous owner lacked the detailing skills I have.

I ordered Wayne's rebuild the 911 book already, but I will order the other one for sure. You guys are awesome!

Thanks Diana

It sucks!

[Tim Hancock]

Auto Zone sells Duplicolor Vinyl & Fabric "Color" in 11 oz spraycans. I have used it on the lower Knee pads and the upper door trim pcs with excellant results (I used VS 3 Flat Black color). You would have to mask the windows and throw a blanket over the rest of your interior, but it would work well.

I put a new headliner in my SC (with sunroof) a couple of months ago and I did not have any problems to speak of and it looks perfect with absolutely no wrinkles. I used contact cement and took my time.
The part that I did not enjoy was reinstalling the trim and seals back onto the glass. Installing the glass once the seals and trim are installed is pretty simple.

Once you pull the windows you are likely to find a little rust in the bottom of the seal recesses which you will want to address. After carefully wire brushing the rust and cleaning well I coated with POR 15 then painted with proper paint.

This job needs patience and time but it is doable if you are mechanically inclined.

If your headliner is not ripped, I myself would just vinyl paint it. If you are careful and clean the vinyl well, I am confident that you will be pleased with the results.

good luck

[my2rotties]

Thanks again. I took a look at the roofliner again, and decided I will undertake that job over winbter. No sense in going through the frustration over the summer, when I should be enjoying the car. The roofliner is in good condition, it just has nicotine stains, or whatever they are.

I had no idea that replacing the roofliner would be such a chore. Thanks for the forwarning.

[WHCJr72S]

I have the same yellow coloring on my roofliner and someone told me that the yellow is from the glue that was used to hold it in place. My coloring is above both doors.