How to Repair Your Car Roof Lining

Your car's roof lining may start to sag either along the edges or in the middle if you've had it for a while or reside in a warm, humid environment, producing an unsightly drooping effect that, if left unchecked, can even reduce visibility.

The car roof lining is the fabric material that runs on the car's roof, and it is an outer layer of fabric, a sturdy inner substrate, and an inner foam backing. While headliner fabric helps keep the car warm from the external temperature, it also reduces driving noise and adds style to your car. A sagging car roof is the last thing you want to deal with because it can distract you while driving. Your car roof lining may begin to sag for a variety of reasons.



While the hope is for the car headliner to stick to the foam backing board during the car's lifetime, that might be different. We will show you the tricks to fix a sagging headliner using tools you can get from the store right across the street. Using glue is the most common method of repairing a sagging headliner. However, you can also use needles or thumbtacks. Some use carpenter's tape. Here is a list of methods to repair your car roof lining.

1. Glue

The headliner can be glued back into position, which is one of the most popular fixes. A spray-on headliner adhesive designed for attaching car roof lining is perfect. However, hot glue will do the trick if you don't have a professional spray adhesive. This approach can be complicated, though. The best chance of success is fixing the headliner as soon as it sags.



The top of the roof, where the headliner and windshield connect, is typically where the sagging begins. Due to UV exposure, this region is the first to fail. You can easily reattach it with headliner adhesive from the auto parts shop.

2. Pins/Thumbtacks

You can also use pins or thumbtacks to hold the sagging roof liner in place. Even though it isn't the most fashionable option, it is one of the fastest, particularly if you need to finish it quickly. Your headliner should appear brand new if you use a few pins (pushpins, sequin pins, clear-headed twist pins, etc.) to push through the fabric layer and into the foam backing board. Moreover, you can use the pin to make something some unique patterns. You can be creative with it.

3. Double Sided Tape

Double Sided tape is used to fix the headliner if it has only partly sagged. You likely already have a roll of carpenter's tape in your toolbox and won't need to go anywhere else to finish this fix. Tape the headliner with the required quantity of tape. Take the backing off, then fasten it to the ceiling. Any part of the sagged car roof lining can be fixed without spending much money. However, because you need an edge to be free to use the tape, this technique is ineffective if only the center of the headliner sags.



When using the tape, ensure you plan to replace the headliner soon, as it often begins to come off around the rear window or door area. The headliner can be held in place for months, and although the technique only serves as a temporary headliner repair, it can keep you moving while you decide what to do next. 

4. Steam And Paint Roller Combo

The most effective and expert method to repair a sagging headliner without removing it is probably steam. With some steaming, you can reactivate the glue holding the headliner to the underlying substance. To increase adhesion, melt the adhesive using a tiny steam cleaner.



However, since the glue holds the headliner board and cloth material together, you can use the current glue using a steam cleaner and paint roller combination instead of purchasing new fabric and adhesive. If you already have these tools, spend nothing on your repair. Under extreme heat, the glue binding the headliner to the foam baseboard melts. Therefore, you can use the steam cleaner to melt the glue and the paint roller to help press the headliner cloth back to the backing board while standing directly behind the steam cleaner.

However, to confirm this would work out, start by dealing with a small section. This method might only work if the glue is young enough and dried.

5. Staples and Hair Spray 

This approach has been very successful despite not being the most apparent. The headliner can be stapled with a stapler but will not last long, so that is where the hair spray comes in. After attaching the staples, hairspray the headliner and let it set on the roof lining. You can remove the nail after the headliner has dried because they don't look good and will fall off soon.

CONCLUSION

As a car owner, you have a lot of upkeep to do, and dealing with substantial components like a paint job or an entire headliner is frequently frustrating. Developing excellent habits that stop the headliner from sagging in the first place is the best course of action. However, you can do things to prevent the headliner from sagging, including checking your car roof lining frequently lining for any signs and using a windshield sun protector. The prevention methods will keep you running for a while. If the damage is severe, replacing the entire headliner is the best option for the vehicle. The star can be saved if a flaw is discovered in time.