How Do You - clean old headliner zipper of 31 years of dirt?

[VFR750]

How do you clean the headliner zipper without damaging the 31 yr old headliner??

It has about 31 years of dirt and grime embedded in the cloth and zipper teeth, and it is impossible to un-zip without pulling with enough force that is likely to rip the headliner. I got it to open about 3 inches, but it is obvious the next 25-30 will be at high risk.

Is there some way to rinse the dirt out, without getting the headline wet? A plain vacuum does not seem to pull enough of the grime out of the teeth.

I also seems like the zipper slider is draging on the cloth portion of the zipper, like it is thicker than usual. I think it is just dirt buildup from year of driving with the sunroof open.

[twistoffat]

Its easier to clean when the zip is open. I´ve used a squirt of bike spray/wd40 on a couch zipper that was full of everything from sand to cat hairs.

[crownarch]

I know this will be hard for you to believe but, Chap Stick. Yes, the same thing for dry lips. If you can get the zipper open just a little bit rub the chap stick on the zipper teeth and move the zipper back and forth and add more Chap Stick to the open teeth as you go along. Once fully open, take a rag with a little alcohol on and carefully wipe the teeth off. Then, before final closing of the zipper rub the Chap Stick along the teeth one more time and close. You will never have a close/open problem with the zipper again. This is the same method to use on boat tops/windows as Chap Stick has a natural was in it.

[mreid]

Be very careful! I used the chapstick trick which works really well on the original zipper on my 84 and the headliner was so brittle that the zipper cloth separated from the headliner in one spot.

[dentist90]

Maybe aim some compressed air into the zipper teeth with a small tip? One of those Dust Off cans might work.

[VFR750]

The chapstick is a great idea. Just a little lube. I think the compressed air might be the first step just to get any big stuff out of the way

Yes, i am a little nervous about the age of the liner and zipper cloth. I do not want a simple project turn into a massive, nasty project.

[andy_uranium]

Steam cleaner, if you have one, will work wonders as well. Steam and wipe.

[porsche930dude]

dont put any force on the headliner. once you have it open an inch or so you can grab behind the zip as your going so that you dont stress the material