Ok, hands up for all the people who’ve had to peel back a section of the headliner fabric, and then struggled with how to get it re-installed without looking like an amateur did it..
For different jobs & repairs, I’ve needed to open up the head liner. Firstly, there is a trick to doing this without damaging its
Go to the corner nearest to where you need to start removal
Get a pair of fine point needle nose pliers, and very carefully, insert them right into the corner. You can now pull out a tiny section of fabric that was originally stuffed in there.
Just take out a small bit, and do it gently.
Then, wrap the front of the pliers with a single wrap of white pvc tape. This protects the fabric.
Now, use the pliers to pull out just enough that you can grasp with your fingers
By hand, very carefully start pulling out fabric right next to the plastic channel. It will come out somewhat easily, but take it slow.
Ok, that was the easy part.
Now… how to put it back in.
Get a 2 or 2 -1/2” metal paint scraper
Go to a belt sander, and put a massive radius on both ends of the blade. Also, if the blade is at all sharp, run it flat onto the sander to totally dull the edge.
Now,,, the best trick in the world
Get a small jar of Starbrite Teflon grease.
Put grease all along the track edge, and then some on the back of the fabric.
Use the tool in a rolling motion, starting at the edge which is still in the track.
By using the rolling motion, it will stretch the material as it’s inserted, avoiding lines.
There will be times , such as close to the corners, where pushing in will get tougher. Don’t force it, as you might cut the material
And here’s the next really great trick
Take a small dead blow hammer, (or rubber mallet) With the tool in place over the material, give the back of the tool a good “tap”. This will cause the material to literally jump into the track, and the Teflon grease makes this trick work very well
Hope this is helpful …
For different jobs & repairs, I’ve needed to open up the head liner. Firstly, there is a trick to doing this without damaging its
Go to the corner nearest to where you need to start removal
Get a pair of fine point needle nose pliers, and very carefully, insert them right into the corner. You can now pull out a tiny section of fabric that was originally stuffed in there.
Just take out a small bit, and do it gently.
Then, wrap the front of the pliers with a single wrap of white pvc tape. This protects the fabric.
Now, use the pliers to pull out just enough that you can grasp with your fingers
By hand, very carefully start pulling out fabric right next to the plastic channel. It will come out somewhat easily, but take it slow.
Ok, that was the easy part.
Now… how to put it back in.
Get a 2 or 2 -1/2” metal paint scraper
Go to a belt sander, and put a massive radius on both ends of the blade. Also, if the blade is at all sharp, run it flat onto the sander to totally dull the edge.
Now,,, the best trick in the world
Get a small jar of Starbrite Teflon grease.
Put grease all along the track edge, and then some on the back of the fabric.
Use the tool in a rolling motion, starting at the edge which is still in the track.
By using the rolling motion, it will stretch the material as it’s inserted, avoiding lines.
There will be times , such as close to the corners, where pushing in will get tougher. Don’t force it, as you might cut the material
And here’s the next really great trick
Take a small dead blow hammer, (or rubber mallet) With the tool in place over the material, give the back of the tool a good “tap”. This will cause the material to literally jump into the track, and the Teflon grease makes this trick work very well
Hope this is helpful …
