Headliner Cleaning?

[t3ase]

Okay, so I'm not going to get in to how it became dirty but my headliner has a few....hand marks...and other spots that I want to remove. However, the fabric cleaner I love using on the seats made a small test area dark and matted. Does anyone have any tips on cleaning the headliner? I've even tried soap/water but the material it's made out of just doesn't seem to like any liquids at all.

[t3ase]

Okay, so I'm not going to get in to how it became dirty but my headliner has a few....hand marks...and other spots that I want to remove. However, the fabric cleaner I love using on the seats made a small test area dark and matted. Does anyone have any tips on cleaning the headliner? I've even tried soap/water but the material it's made out of just doesn't seem to like any liquids at all.

[BRIAN MP5T]

Mine is fucked in places as well. I'm thinking that whatever I use will just F it up more into a large stain... I'm at a loss as well..

[BRIAN MP5T]

Mine is fucked in places as well. I'm thinking that whatever I use will just F it up more into a large stain... I'm at a loss as well..

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

i use rust-oleum carpet cleaner or pretty any much upholstery cleaner with plastic bristle brush takes shit out

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

i use rust-oleum carpet cleaner or pretty any much upholstery cleaner with plastic bristle brush takes shit out

[anarchistchiken]

You could just take it out and if it wont get clean, die it.

[anarchistchiken]

You could just take it out and if it wont get clean, die it.

[BRIAN MP5T]

I used it on my seats...
It didn't stain.. But I don't know about the liner.

http://pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/89406/200.jpg

[BRIAN MP5T]

I used it on my seats...
It didn't stain.. But I don't know about the liner.

http://pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/89406/200.jpg

[t3ase]

i use rust-oleum carpet cleaner or pretty any much upholstery cleaner with plastic bristle brush takes shit out
Yeah, that may work for seats but have you tried it on the headliner? It's got a "unique" texture that doesn't take well to brushing or solvents.

[t3ase]

i use rust-oleum carpet cleaner or pretty any much upholstery cleaner with plastic bristle brush takes shit out
Yeah, that may work for seats but have you tried it on the headliner? It's got a "unique" texture that doesn't take well to brushing or solvents.

[anarchistchiken]

Most of the people I've asked have said that headliner cleaning is slightly above seatbelt cleaning in level of difficuly. And apparently that's very high.

[anarchistchiken]

Most of the people I've asked have said that headliner cleaning is slightly above seatbelt cleaning in level of difficuly. And apparently that's very high.

[t3ase]

Seatbelt cleaning?

[t3ase]

Seatbelt cleaning?

[BRIAN MP5T]

Seatbelt cleaning?


Try It, It's Impossible..

[BRIAN MP5T]

Seatbelt cleaning?


Try It, It's Impossible..

[anarchistchiken]

Yeah my old neon had some filthy, dirt encrusted seat belts. That's one of the things that pissed me off most about that car, until the electrical system started losing it. Every time I tried to turn on the fogs, half the fuses in the car would blow.

[anarchistchiken]

Yeah my old neon had some filthy, dirt encrusted seat belts. That's one of the things that pissed me off most about that car, until the electrical system started losing it. Every time I tried to turn on the fogs, half the fuses in the car would blow.

[t3ase]

So, I've read Woolite helps. However, any ideas on keeping the headliner's texture in place? I'm afraid even a toothbrush may damage it when it's damp.

[t3ase]

So, I've read Woolite helps. However, any ideas on keeping the headliner's texture in place? I'm afraid even a toothbrush may damage it when it's damp.

[Kooldino]

Cover it in vinyl. :(

[Kooldino]

Cover it in vinyl. :(

[2Shiny]

Headliners are indeed difficult to clean, as are seatbelts. For both, I use Woolite and warm water. The most important thing about cleaning headliners, is to keep the fabric from getting too wet. The water will soak through to the other side, and break down the adhesive. If this happens, you can get a drooping headliner. Trust me, it looks pretty stupid. My grandpa's car had this problem in his car a long time ago.

For cleaning my headliner, I put about a quarter-sized drop of Woolite in a 1gal bucket, and filled it about halfway with warm water. To apply it to the fabric, I used a cheap microfiber (MF) towel from WalMart. After gentle scrubbing, I used another dry MF towel to blot any remaining water. Results are shown below.

Here is what my headliner looked like when I first got the car. The previous owner was obviously a smoker.

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner2.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner3.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/HeadlinerClean.JPG

[2Shiny]

Headliners are indeed difficult to clean, as are seatbelts. For both, I use Woolite and warm water. The most important thing about cleaning headliners, is to keep the fabric from getting too wet. The water will soak through to the other side, and break down the adhesive. If this happens, you can get a drooping headliner. Trust me, it looks pretty stupid. My grandpa's car had this problem in his car a long time ago.

For cleaning my headliner, I put about a quarter-sized drop of Woolite in a 1gal bucket, and filled it about halfway with warm water. To apply it to the fabric, I used a cheap microfiber (MF) towel from WalMart. After gentle scrubbing, I used another dry MF towel to blot any remaining water. Results are shown below.

Here is what my headliner looked like when I first got the car. The previous owner was obviously a smoker.

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner2.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner3.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/HeadlinerClean.JPG

[BRIAN MP5T]

Cover it in vinyl. :(


That will work but it's like hunting a mouse with a Bazooka..

[BRIAN MP5T]

Cover it in vinyl. :(


That will work but it's like hunting a mouse with a Bazooka..

[BRIAN MP5T]

Headliners are indeed difficult to clean, as are seatbelts. For both, I use Woolite and warm water. The most important thing about cleaning headliners, is to keep the fabric from getting too wet....

Woolite. Thanks, I'll try that the first nice day we get.

[BRIAN MP5T]

Headliners are indeed difficult to clean, as are seatbelts. For both, I use Woolite and warm water. The most important thing about cleaning headliners, is to keep the fabric from getting too wet....

Woolite. Thanks, I'll try that the first nice day we get.

[t3ase]

Headliners are indeed difficult to clean, as are seatbelts. For both, I use Woolite and warm water. The most important thing about cleaning headliners, is to keep the fabric from getting too wet. The water will soak through to the other side, and break down the adhesive. If this happens, you can get a drooping headliner. Trust me, it looks pretty stupid. My grandpa's car had this problem in his car a long time ago.

For cleaning my headliner, I put about a quarter-sized drop of Woolite in a 1gal bucket, and filled it about halfway with warm water. To apply it to the fabric, I used a cheap microfiber (MF) towel from WalMart. After gentle scrubbing, I used another dry MF towel to blot any remaining water. Results are shown below.

Here is what my headliner looked like when I first got the car. The previous owner was obviously a smoker.

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner2.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner3.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/HeadlinerClean.JPG
Jesus Christ.

[t3ase]

Headliners are indeed difficult to clean, as are seatbelts. For both, I use Woolite and warm water. The most important thing about cleaning headliners, is to keep the fabric from getting too wet. The water will soak through to the other side, and break down the adhesive. If this happens, you can get a drooping headliner. Trust me, it looks pretty stupid. My grandpa's car had this problem in his car a long time ago.

For cleaning my headliner, I put about a quarter-sized drop of Woolite in a 1gal bucket, and filled it about halfway with warm water. To apply it to the fabric, I used a cheap microfiber (MF) towel from WalMart. After gentle scrubbing, I used another dry MF towel to blot any remaining water. Results are shown below.

Here is what my headliner looked like when I first got the car. The previous owner was obviously a smoker.

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner2.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/Headliner3.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/HeadlinerClean.JPG
Jesus Christ.

[2Shiny]

Patience my friend...it's an important aspect of detailing no doubt. That took me awhile to get to that point (probably an hour or 1.5), but the results speak for themselves. It was well worth the effort.

[2Shiny]

Patience my friend...it's an important aspect of detailing no doubt. That took me awhile to get to that point (probably an hour or 1.5), but the results speak for themselves. It was well worth the effort.

[t3ase]

I think I'll try it on a few spots tomorrow..

Thank you for the help.

[t3ase]

I think I'll try it on a few spots tomorrow..

Thank you for the help.

[2Shiny]

Just make sure to use a very small amount of water. Dip the MF towel in the bucket, and ring it out well. It should be slightly more than damp. You want to avoid getting too much water on the headliner. You need some solution in order to clean the area, and then just blot or gently wipe it dry with another dry MF.

[2Shiny]

Just make sure to use a very small amount of water. Dip the MF towel in the bucket, and ring it out well. It should be slightly more than damp. You want to avoid getting too much water on the headliner. You need some solution in order to clean the area, and then just blot or gently wipe it dry with another dry MF.

[t3ase]

and if that fails, dye it black.

[t3ase]

and if that fails, dye it black.

[2Shiny]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

[2Shiny]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

[Aric]

Cover it in vinyl. :(
Ken knows all about that if you would like to ask him :)

[Aric]

Cover it in vinyl. :(
Ken knows all about that if you would like to ask him :)

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

Ken knows all about that if you would like to ask him :)

asshole.

this is true. the headliner on my 1990 geo prizm was falling out, so i proceeded to cover it with black vinyl and transparent screw style upholstery tacks. i got wise a year later, removed the liner panel, stripped it and glued in a sheet of auto headliner which looked much better

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

Ken knows all about that if you would like to ask him :)

asshole.

this is true. the headliner on my 1990 geo prizm was falling out, so i proceeded to cover it with black vinyl and transparent screw style upholstery tacks. i got wise a year later, removed the liner panel, stripped it and glued in a sheet of auto headliner which looked much better

[2Shiny]

Did you try to clean it before that, causing the separating adhesive? Or did it just sag by itself?

[2Shiny]

Did you try to clean it before that, causing the separating adhesive? Or did it just sag by itself?

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

it sagged when i had 'bought' the car from the prior owner

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

it sagged when i had 'bought' the car from the prior owner

[t3ase]

I'm kinda thinking black headliner/pillars/etc would be nice, though.

[t3ase]

I'm kinda thinking black headliner/pillars/etc would be nice, though.

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

all black interior in texas? prepare to bake yourself :)

[Ken@ProtegeGarage]

all black interior in texas? prepare to bake yourself :)

[vindication]

holy crap, what did that guy smoke? charcoal?

I have these wierd brown stains on the headliner near the driversside a-pillar and on the a-pillar itself up top. Not sure what it is or how it got there. Thinking it might be the glue due to the heat when I park my car for 6 weeks during each summer while I go to europe every summer(but I leave windows slightly open). Good to see a good way to clean it. Will take pics tomorrow to see if anyone else encountered this.

[vindication]

holy crap, what did that guy smoke? charcoal?

I have these wierd brown stains on the headliner near the driversside a-pillar and on the a-pillar itself up top. Not sure what it is or how it got there. Thinking it might be the glue due to the heat when I park my car for 6 weeks during each summer while I go to europe every summer(but I leave windows slightly open). Good to see a good way to clean it. Will take pics tomorrow to see if anyone else encountered this.

[2Shiny]

holy crap, what did that guy smoke? charcoal?


It almost seems like it doesn't it? It was a girl's car. She neglected to even empty out the ashtray before selling it. The car was claimed to be in excellent condition, yet it wasn't washed before selling it either! The rockers were covered in tar too. I couldn't believe it. I told her my thoughts, and bought the car for $900 off the asking price. :D
Then I took it home and cleaned it up for a good 20hrs.

[2Shiny]

holy crap, what did that guy smoke? charcoal?


It almost seems like it doesn't it? It was a girl's car. She neglected to even empty out the ashtray before selling it. The car was claimed to be in excellent condition, yet it wasn't washed before selling it either! The rockers were covered in tar too. I couldn't believe it. I told her my thoughts, and bought the car for $900 off the asking price. :D
Then I took it home and cleaned it up for a good 20hrs.

[anarchistchiken]

I already have my A pillar covers and radio surround painted black, and I love the way it looks. I'll die the headliner one day.

[anarchistchiken]

I already have my A pillar covers and radio surround painted black, and I love the way it looks. I'll die the headliner one day.

[t3ase]

pics are mandatory.

[t3ase]

pics are mandatory.

[Traitorhound]

on day ill get to cleaning the damn headliner, mine has like stains that show the airflow of whatever the dirt was in the air since i almost always drive with the windows down

[Mr.Win]

Mines covered in black vinyl... looks fine.