Wanting to remove headliner in 1986 Coupe w/sunroof.

[fallingat120mph]

I recently started a thread about a smell/mouse in my car. Still not sure how it happened but here we are.

It was a small nest and I have removed everything out of the interior except the headliner. Mouse nest was removed along with carpet, sound deadening, rear parcel, door cards, interior trim...so basically bare - minus the headliner.

Now it being old (headliner) plus the mouse situation smell is better but have a feeling with the car up all winter between the age and mouse the smell is going to stick in the headliner.

Tried ozone, cleaning, etc...and am fine with where I am at just wondering:

Can I remove the headliner without removing the glass???

I have new carpets and new seats going in...new door cards and a very clean dash and I am in the process of moving. Don't mind the headliner being removed at this point. Will finish the interior after the move.

So, searched here and YouTube and not finding a removal process.

Again, just wondering if I can remove the headliner without removing the glass in a 1986 Coupe. Sunroof portion has already been removed.

Any insight or guidance is appreciated!


Erik

[walt]

I've been preparing myself to do this job in the near future. You will need to remove all the glass including the rear quarter windows. Not as bad a job as it may sound, I've removed the front windshield several times. If your seals are still soft and pliable you will likely be able to reuse them.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by walt

I've been preparing myself to do this job in the near future. You will need to remove all the glass including the rear quarter windows. Not as bad a job as it may sound, I've removed the front windshield several times. If your seals are still soft and pliable you will likely be able to reuse them.

Was looking in Waynes 101 and Bentley for answers too...seems they want windows out for installing new headliners, right now I just want the old out...mind you being careful not to damage anything while "cutting???" out.

I was hoping for some insight on the tensioning clips, etc and if they can be removed or are they somehow under the glass seals.

For now, with my schedule of moving out of state AND trying to finish my engine swap I don't mind cutting out the old headliner and next year going back and doing the install of a new headliner the proper way. Timing is killing me...but want everything old out before I install the new items (seats, carpets, door cards - minus new headliner).

Thanks, appreciate the feedback!


Erik

[911obgyn]

Yes you can cut it out and remove the bows, mark or measure and make notes of where they go.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by 911obgyn

Yes you can cut it out and remove the bows, mark or measure and make notes of where they go.

Thanks, just reading about that. They are all different sizes it appears.

Going against right and wrong I think I am going to cut out. Ugh.

The mouse smell has gotten better and I have had a fan blowing fresh air in the cockpit for a few days but something is still there. Headliner is the last remaining "material" thing...

Thanks again!

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by fallingat120mph

Thanks, just reading about that. They are all different sizes it appears.

Going against right and wrong I think I am going to cut out. Ugh.

The mouse smell has gotten better and I have had a fan blowing fresh air in the cockpit for a few days but something is still there. Headliner is the last remaining "material" thing...

Thanks again!

Is there also an aesthetic reason for replacing the headliner? The reason I ask, is you might consider using a service that provides ozone treatment. I haven’t read all of your posts, but the trunk, engine compartment, tunnel…just about every nook and cranny is subject to those f’ers. If you’ve cleared all the usually suspected areas, the ozone treatment might work. Hell, maybe throw whatever materials you’ve pulled out back in for the treatment. Just a thought.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by jac1976

Is there also an aesthetic reason for replacing the headliner? The reason I ask, is you might consider using a service that provides ozone treatment. I haven’t read all of your posts, but the trunk, engine compartment, tunnel…just about every nook and cranny is subject to those f’ers. If you’ve cleared all the usually suspected areas, the ozone treatment might work. Hell, maybe throw whatever materials you’ve pulled out back in for the treatment. Just a thought.

Thanks for the response. I recently did buy an ozone machine that was highly recommended (and others here have used). I may try again.

The car is empty - dash is bare, HVAC gone and going to try and video the tunnel just to double check that. I need to redo the headliner as this is the original and it's a project I have had my eyes on for a bit. I can live without it for a year or so - if the interior smells good again, with no headliner, I can sacrifice the original. Damn mouse.

Erik

[Steve W]

If the smell originates from mouse/rat urine, ozone won't get rid of it. Ozone acts as bleach, which oxidizes organic matter, and long enough, like over a week, corrodes and rusts metal surfaces, just like bleach or any acid. Unfortunately, the smell from urine is from uric salts, which ozone cannot oxidize and get rid of, not even liquid bleach. It needs to be fully washed out if you know where it is.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by Steve W

If the smell originates from mouse/rat urine, ozone won't get rid of it. Ozone acts as bleach, which oxidizes organic matter, and long enough, like over a week, corrodes and rusts metal surfaces, just like bleach or any acid. Unfortunately, the smell from urine is from uric salts, which ozone cannot oxidize and get rid of, not even liquid bleach. It needs to be fully washed out if you know where it is.

Agreed on all accounts. I have read quite a few articles about using ozone generators long term. I have kept the timing/duration short to avoid corrosion, etc.

Seems to me, removing the headliner (due to age and possibly the mouse) and getting back in a cleaning the interior - which is completely bare at this point is the best bet ov erall... I have a feeling the tunnel may be the culprit along with the small nest near the driver rear fender under the interior trim.

Still shocked at having a mouse in the garage. Not seen one - ever - in the 5-6 years of home ownership. Growing up in the Midwest was always taught to keep a clean garage and down here in Texas (city edge but still "country") kept to that practice even though mice really are not an issue...guess it can happen to anyone, anywhere.


Thank you for the input. Much appreciated-

Erik

[PeteKz]

Mice are everywhere. Keep traps in the garage. You will get one or two every few months.