When you are sitting in your car, the last thing you want to deal with is a sagging headliner that can be a distraction. You want to know how to fix a sagging headliner, but you don’t want to remove it and have a new one reinstalled.
In this guide, I examine all of the easiest methods to fix the headliner. Thankfully, you don’t have to remove it to ensure it is secure.
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.
The headliner is more than just fabric. In fact, it usually is constructed in multiple sections. The first is a cardboard, fiberglass or foam piece on top. Layered on top of this is cloth, leather or vinyl, and this is the part that often starts sagging, especially on older vehicles.
5 Ways to Fix a Sagging Headliner
The most popular way to repair a sagging headliner is with glue. However, you can also use thumbtacks or pins. Some people turn to staples and hairspray, while others will use carpenter’s tape. If those don’t work, steaming the headliner might bring the results you are looking for.
Here are some more detailed steps on how to repair a sagging headliner:
1. Glue
One of the most common solutions is to glue the headliner back in place. However, this method isn’t always easy. If you can repair the headliner when it first starts sagging, you have the best chance of success.
Usually, the sagging starts where the headliner meets the windshield at the top of the roof. This area fails first because of the exposure to UV rays. With headliner adhesive from the auto parts store, you can reattach it without a lot of effort.
2. Thumbtacks/Pins
You can also secure the sagging headliner with some pins or thumbtacks. This isn’t the most stylish option, but it is one of the quicker options, especially if you want to get it done in a hurry.
With your pins, attach the fabric to the inner layer of the headliner. If you are feeling creative, you can even create a unique design out of the tacks.
There are also special upholstery pins you can use that might help the appearance slightly. If you choose some with a corkscrew design, you will twist the pin in place so it locks down for more security.
3. Staples & Hairspray
This isn’t the most obvious solution, but it’s been used with a lot of success. Use a stapler gun to secure the headliner to the material underneath.
Spray down the headliner with some hairspray and let it dry. Once everything is dry, try removing the staples to see what happens.
4. Double-Sided Carpenter’s Tape
Most people have a roll of carpenter’s tape lying in the toolbox, so you might not have to go anywhere to get this fix completed. Cut off the amount of tape you need and stick it to the headliner.
Remove the backing and secure it to the roof. You can do this wherever it is sagging without spending a lot of money. However, this method doesn’t work if only the middle of the headliner is sagging down, because you need an edge to be free to use the tape.
RELATED: How to Remove Window Tint (4 Easy Methods)
5. Steam
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.
Start by working with a small section to see if it is feasible. If the glue has gotten too old, you won’t be able to activate it. Run the steamer across the headliner, as if you were painting with a roller. As you go along, press the headliner back to the first layer of material. This method also helps to reduce creases and wrinkles in the fabric.
Cost to Replace Headliner
If the methods of fixing the headliner don’t work, you might need to replace it. In some cases, replacing a headliner costs between $200 and $500, depending on the type of vehicle you drive and where you live.
However, if your car is old and not worth much, you may not want to invest the money. You could always remove the headliner and drive without it.
What is the best adhesive for headliner?
Many products can be used for sagging headliners, but the Super 77 Multipurpose Adhesive made by 3M is the most popular. This spray adhesive, which can be used on various surfaces, firmly bonds fabrics and plastics, among other materials. Other alternatives include products like Weldwood’s Contact Cement and similar neoprene-based adhesives. Still, before making the final decision, it might be a good idea to find out from what material your headliner is made. This way, you’ll eliminate the risk of damaging the fabric or the plastic beneath it by using an unsuitable adhesive.
What causes a saggy headliner?
Headliners sag when they separate from the plastic or fiberglass surface to which they are glued. This happens when the adhesive that holds them together becomes too weak or breaks apart. Older cars are more likely to suffer from this, as aging takes its toll on the adhesive’s bonding abilities. There are, however, things that can speed up this deterioration process. This includes frequently leaving the car in the sun, mechanical damage, or using water to clean the headliner.
Is Gorilla spray adhesive good for headliners?
Being a versatile, heavy-duty adhesive, Gorilla Spray is suitable for all sorts of applications, with quickly fixing sagging headliners being one of them. This product is well-known for its strong bonding abilities and, more importantly, fast drying times. And this is exceptionally helpful when putting the headliner back into place in its overhead position. There are, however, certain limitations to be aware of. Due to its chemical composition, Gorilla Spray will not work well with foam-backed or specially coated materials.
How many cans of spray adhesive are needed for the headliner?
As obvious as it may sound, how many cans of spray adhesive are needed to fix a sagging headliner depends on two factors. First, we have the car’s size, which affects the headliner’s surface. Furthermore, there’s the adhesive’s coverage rate, which tells us how much area each can could cover. By dividing the headliner’s surface and the spray’s coverage rate, you’ll get the exact number of cans needed for the job.
Wrap Up
The headliner is a piece of interior trim that covers the car’s metal roof from the inside. Besides making the interior look better, it reduces wind noise and improves thermal insulation. In most cars, headliners are made from plastic or fiberglass covered with fabric or leather.
With time, the adhesive that bonds this together may deteriorate and break apart, making the headliner saggy. When this happens, gluing the fabric back onto its plastic base is usually a much more feasible option than replacing the whole headliner. A variety of products is suitable for this application, such as Gorilla Spray or 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Adhesive.
16 thoughts on "How to Fix A Sagging Headliner (5 Quick Methods)"
jim keller
the front of my head liner has pulled away and rolled up, i tried to glue it with no success, if you know anyone who fixed them i dont mind paying for it, im in vero beach FL. let me know
Ginny Miesner
Hi there I am looking for a way to fix the headliner that refuses to stay up anymore in my town and country. Is there any tested and true way to fix the sagging headliner without having to replace it.
Gary Myers
I would like a price to replace my headliner on an 05 Saturn Vue
Austin M
Removing the entire liner and foam backing from the vehicle and reapplying adhesive is going to give you the best results. I have only taken headliners out of 2 cars for this type of repair, My own cars linner is sagging, but I don't want to repair it because of how difficult my other experiences were. Unless you enjoy projects, I would personally pay for someone else to repair/replace it. It will cost more then doing yourself of course but it could save you the headache and possibility of failure.
Lin Davis
The liner of my suv is lose at the tip in front of the wins held what do I use to seal it back ford exployer Thanks
Shaun
Hi I have a mini R50 & my alarm keeps going off randomly through the day, I drove through a flooded road recently wasn't too deep but I'm assuming damp has got into electrics & is now playing havoc with the alarm system, any thoughts to a solution...? Thanks in advance.
Sabrina C Couch
You don't need alot of water,just enough for it to splash up. Check the wiring,maybe something is lose also.
Tem
It’s not the glue that fails. The foam on the back of the foam backing material has rotting over years of the heat. Nothing you can do but replace the foam backing material. And if you check around it’s not that expensive. I do that for a living and many Honda’s are falling. I replace them for around $125. So trust me. If you try to glue it up, you will only make a mess or make it hard to fix it.
Paul
You should move to Australia, I was quoted $1500 for a 1999 Toyota Corolla. Ended up doing it myself and was happy with the job but I agree with Austin's comment below, if you haven't done this before you need to enjoy doing projects otherwise you'll have a miserable time.
Sabrina C Couch
I have an 05 town and country. I have tried everything!
Mike
Where can i find someone to fix my hanging headliner on my jeep Cherikee? I live in Jamaica, Queens, New York.
Desiree S.
Hey Tem, my name is Desiree. I couldn't help but notice you had previously stated in your post that you fix or replace sagging headliners especially on Honda's. Well if by chance you are still indeed in that same line of work I REALLY REALLY DESPERATELY need your assistance with mine. So if you could get in touch with me I'd greatly appreciate it. Hope to hear from you soon and have a wonderful day. Best regards, Desiree
Quinn B Carroll
Glue doesn't work! It soon comes back off, especially the front edge exposed to the sun. I used twist pins across the ceiling, then ended up having to use regular tacks to hold the front edge down where glue failed to do the job.
Linda Chubb
My Camry has memory foam in the roof, where it’s sagging it is hard like the memory foam has disappeared or dried up. I can only feel memory foam where it hasn’t sagged (which is mostly around the edges & back of the roof) How do I get it done properly?
Kevin
Hi.how much to replace hood linning in 2006 mitsi 380?
MarkMatthis
First off...the cost to repair/replace the head liner is not expensive as this author of this write up is saying that it is..You can find shops all over usa..for $100-$200 from California to New York..and the advice of *super glue..hot glue..and especially using steam for to "melt" the old glue so you can re-glue back in place..(?) is very bad info... Will NOT WORK..trust me..I've been doing them for over 30+ years.. the only way is to have it redone correctly..or you will constantly have issues or will have a very ugly headlner to look at.. and if your handy..it's fairly easy to do yourself..takes patience & time (3-4hrs) & less then $40 for material & glue... Just saying..Have a great day!