
5 Ways to Fix a Sagging Headliner
- Glue. One of the most common solutions is to glue the headliner back in place. ...
- Thumbtacks/Pins. You can also secure the sagging headliner with some pins or thumbtacks, but this isn’t the most stylish option.
- Staples & Hairspray. This isn’t the most obvious solution, but it’s been used with a lot of success. ...
- Double-Sided Carpenter’s Tape. ...
- Steam. ...
What is the best remedy for a sagging headliner?
- Gluing it on: This is the old-school method of gluing anything that seems to have come out of place. ...
- Pin it down: This is another quick fix option, that won’t require much money or time. ...
- Use twist-pins: Clear-headed twist pins, or also known as saggy stoppers, are inexpensive ways of putting the roof liner in place. ...
How to fix sagging headliner without removing it?
- Clean the surface of the backboard before you apply any glue or adhesive etc.
- While using pins, make sure that you put the least number of them as they will leave behind holes if in case you have to remove them.
- Removing thumb pins or staple pins might tear the fabric, so be careful.
How to fix your sagging headliner in any vehicle?
How to Fix a Sagging Headliner
- Use glue to stick it back The first thing you can try is glue. The headliner already comes stuck with glue. ...
- Use pins to hold it up If it’s a quick fix you want, your next best option after the glue is to use pins. ...
- Clear-headed twist pins Twist pins are a special type of pins that can be termed as the real solution for your sagging headliner. ...
How to replace your headliner cheap and easy?
Tools and Supplies Used:
- flat-bladed screwdriver
- 3M headliner adhesive spray
- Phillips screwdriver
- thin plastic putty knife (or credit card-type object)
- clean paint roller
- breathing masks

How do you fix a sagging headliner without removing it?
Steam is probably the best and most professional way to fix a sagging headliner without removing it. With some simple steaming, you might be able to reactivate the glue that secured the headliner to the underlying material. With a small steam cleaner, you can melt the glue for more adhesion.
How do you fix a sagging headliner in a car?
6:0211:53HOW To Repair a SAGGING HEADLINER....DO IT YOURSELFYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you have it at the top and on the material you do it fairly quickly okay because depending on howMoreSo you have it at the top and on the material you do it fairly quickly okay because depending on how warm it is that glue will set pretty fast. Sometimes.
How much does it cost to fix a sagging headliner?
Luckily, you can do this yourself for around $50. Just purchase a headliner repair kit and headliner adhesive from an auto parts store or online retailer. If you'd rather leave it to the pros, headliner replacement will set you back around $200 to $350 at an auto repair shop.
Why is my headliner sagging?
Over time the headlining fabric can separate from its backing board, resulting in a so-called “sagging headliner”. The sagging occurs because the condition of the glue that holds it to the backing deteriorates over time. The process is accelerated if the headlining becomes wet.
What is the best adhesive for headliner?
Best Headliner Adhesive Reviews & Recommendations 2021Best Overall. 3M Headliner and Fabric Adhesive. ... Best Value. Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive. ... Best Heavy Duty. Permatex Body Shop Heavy Duty Headliner Adhesive. ... Best All-Purpose. Loctite General Performance 100 Spray Adhesive. ... Honorable Mention.
How long does it take to replace a headliner?
How much time should it take to install headliners? About an hour or two to remove the headliner, another hour or two to prepare the surface, an hour to install new fabric to the board and an hour for reinstallation.
How to fix a sagging headliner?
Read further and find out how to fix your sagging headliner. 1. Use glue to stick it back. The first thing you can try is glue. The headliner already comes stuck with glue.
How to fix a headliner that has come off?
This glue fails overtime which means you have to reapply it. This method works best if the headliner has sagged only partially. In the areas where the headliner fabric has come off, apply super glue or you could even apply hot glue for a quick fix. If none of those work, you can search the market for the special adhesive used to stick the headliner fabric to the backboard. Make sure you apply the glue evenly and properly for the best effect.
What is the Headliner?
The fabric material that runs on the vehicle’s interior roof is known as the headliner. It can add plenty of style to your vehicle, but it also has practical purposes. The headliner helps to keep the cabin insulated from the temperatures outside. It can also reduce vibration, so there’s less noise while driving.
Why does my headliner sag?
The real reason the headliner sags is because the glue holding it back loses its stickiness. You can attempt to revive its power by the use of a steam cleaner. The steam cleaner can melt the glue in the headliner and give it back its stickiness. This way, the headliner can stick back to its place in the frame.
What type of pins are used for headliners?
This method requires no special expertise and it requires the least amount of time, so if you ask us, pins are the way to go. 3. Clear-headed twist pins. Twist pins are a special type of pins that can be termed as the real solution for your sagging headliner. These pins have a pointy end that twists into the head.
Why does my car sag under the sun?
The sun is your friend but not in your car. If you keep it standing under the sun unprotected your car’s headliner can sag.
Can you replace a headliner with a new one?
You can replace your old headliner with a new one but that is not a viable decision since headliners along with their backboards are pretty expensive. The complete expense might equal to that of buying a car.
How long does it take to fix headliner sagging?
If your headliner is sagging, you can fix it in less than an afternoon. John W. Schulze / Wikimedia Commons
What is a sagging headliner?
Sagging Car Headliners. A sagging headliner is simply a matter of gravity and deteriorating adhesive. The headliner is typically made of several layers of pressboard, foam, and fabric. Time, moisture, and heat all play their part in breaking down the glue that holds it all together and can also cause some materials to shrink, ...
How to fix a headliner that is pulling away?
For small repairs, like when the corner of the headliner is pulling away, fabric glue is a great way to hold it in place. Brush away any loose foam and apply fabric glue to the pressboard and the headliner material. Then , press the headliner fabric into the pressboard, smoothing out wrinkles and bubbles with your fingers, credit card, or nylon roller.
How to get glue back on fabric?
Use the steamer, working small areas, to heat up the fabric and the glue behind it. Then, use the nylon roller or a credit card to push the fabric back into the glue.
How to fix a broken headliner?
After removing the headliner and peeling away the old fabric material, use a wire brush to remove the old foam—use a dust mask to protect your lungs. Then, use epoxy and aluminum tape to fix any cracks or broken areas.
Can you remove a headliner?
You could just remove the headliner, but that causes its own problems—with no headliner, your car will be noisier and colder. Here’s how to fix a sagging headliner, in order from simplest and least expensive to most complicated and most expensive.
How to fix a sagging headliner?
One classic hack is to use pins to push the sagging headliner back on its foam backing board. 3. Using Staples And Hair Spray.
Why does my car's headliner sag?
Over time the headlining fabric can separate from its backing board, resulting in a so-called “sagging headliner”. The sagging occurs because the condition of the glue ...
How to remove glue from headlining?
Use a steam cleaner to melt and moisturise the glue in the headlining. Then use an unused paint roller to follow the steam cleaner, rolling the headlining flat and remove any wrinkles. Make sure not to overdo the steaming, as you may shrink or burn the headlining otherwise. This method may not if the glue in your headlining has dried out too much.
What to do if headlining sags?
It’s best to use specialist headlining adhesive in a spray can, to ensure that the glue is distributed evenly. Though some DIYers like to use hot glue re-attach the headlining.
How to staple a headlining?
This may seem like a very unusual method but there is evidence that this works. First staple the headlining back on its backing board with a stapler. You would need a stapler gun of course, as a conventional paper stapler won’t really work. Once that’s done spray the headlining with hairspray and let it dry. Once dry, remove the staples.
Does headlining glue dissolve?
The process is accelerated if the headlining becomes wet. The glue will become moist and will dissolve. Sometimes the sagging gets so bad that it gets in the way, it’s the point at which you will need to have it fixed.
What happens if your headliner sags?
If the sag is particularly bad, the headliner material can begin to encroach on your field of vision, and may become distracting. A sagging headliner may not seem like a big deal right now, but the obstruction and distraction could lead to an accident. If you got into a car crash because of something so simple to fix, you would be kicking yourself.
What is the best way to fix a headliner?
Tape. Double-sided tape works really well as a short-term solution to a sagging headliner. Tape is a very readily available resource and this will hold relatively well. It is particularly effective if the sagging fabric is primarily around the outer edges.
How to get fabric back on car?
You will need to pull off all of the fabric and clean off any old adhesive. Use the aerosol spray adhesive to reattach the fabric evenly across the backing board.
How to fix a headliner that won't fit?
This is, as the name suggests, a simple fix. All you need to do is grab some pins of your choice and push them through the headliner fabric into the foam backing. This will secure the headliner in place without much hassle or effort.
How to attach a headliner to a backing board?
Pull the other side of the tape covering off to expose the adhesive . Pull the headliner fabric taut and stretch it across the backing board. Press firmly against the tape to adhere the materials together.
Why do headliners sag?
Headliners will sag naturally over the course of time. This is due to a combination of gravity, exposure to heat, humidity, and moisture. This causes the bond between the fabric and the foam to weaken and deteriorate as the materials contract and relax. The foam backing will oxidize and turn yellow. This compromises the bond to the fabric and ...
What is a clear head twist pin?
The needle of the pin is in a corkscrew shape to ensure a strong affixation. The head is made of a clear plastic which means they are fairly invisible once installed in the car.
How To Fix A Sagging Headliner At Home
As mentioned earlier, the best solution to fix a sagging headliner is to get it replaced or fixed by a professional, but you could try the below hacks that could help you keep it fixed for some time.
Final Words
The solutions mentioned above are certainly effective and could be used to temporarily fix the sagging headliner. But in the long run, the sagging would spread to further areas, so replacing or getting it fixed by a professional is the best option.
How to fix a sagging headliner?
The melted adhesive at the edges of your car’s headliner may have caused the headliner to sag, and in this case, you can use this quick fix. Use a steam cleaner to melt the glue and attach the sagging part back to the frame. After attaching it back, use a paint stroller to set out the fabric to remove any form of creasing.
How to maintain headliner?
The fundamental way to maintain your headliner is to keep dirt away and reduce exposure to high temperatures where possible. Below here we have a few tips that you can use to maintain your headliner:
Why does my windshield headliner sag?
In most cases, the headliner begins to sag from the front side, where it meets the windshield due to exposure to the sun that melts the adhesive used to hold it in place . As soon as you notice some sagging, make sure you proceed to your local store and grab a headliner glue and fix it.
What is a pin on a headliner?
Pining can be used for all levels of sagging, and usually, it is permanent. Pinning will secure your headliner in its rightful place for a reasonable period. All you need to do is to push pins into the sagging headliner.
Why does my car's headliner sag?
Headliners can sag after use over a long period because the headliner adhesive that holds it to the backing board deteriorates over time. Damage to the headliner may arise from poor car management. The headliner adhesive rate of deterioration is dependent on the level of exposure to wetness and high temperatures.
How long does it take for glue to dry on a car?
Apply the glue on the sagging layer and on your car’s inner layer and wait for about three minutes. You need to allow a drying window of about 5 minutes after you apply the second layer and then press it back in position and remember to be keen to reduce wrinkles and air bubbles. 2.
What is a headliner made of?
The headliner is made up of two primary layers. The first one is the foam-like material in contact with the direct ceiling of your car, and the second layer is what you normally touch and it acts as a cover-up of the first layer. It is crucial to keep in mind that the sagging level of your car’s headliner as you choose the most suitable method ...
