It isn't the adhesive, it's the foam. The headlining material is foam backed and the foam deteriorates and crumbles away so there's nothing between the outer cloth and the headlining shell so it hangs down. What is left in the shell is the adhesive and a layer of decomposed foam. If the material is hanging down it means that it has come away right up to the edges and not just in the centre.
Of course it is! Been locked down too long.
Can you tell what the clips that referred to look like ? What is the chance of buying new ones ?
I saw a a clip advertised but is this the item mentioned above that might fly off ?
Pierre3.
pierre3 I've got my headlining to do in the summer months as previous owner has stappled it up will use martrim for mine local upholster quoted me 250 quid to do mine so thought for 60 quid of martrim I would supply material and still said it 250 to do so told them to jog on
OK, so it looks like I am going to have to do this myself.
Is the any benefit in trying to find an adhesive that doesn't stick tight first time, or would any adhesive like that seep through the material ?
I am supposing that the whole point of quick drying adhesive is so that it only sticks to the foam back of the headlining.
I am hoping that the following will be suitable. The blurb says that it is intended for use on headlining material but anyone who has re-upholstered their headlining maybe able to comment on whether it is suitable.
"Tensorgrip T44 – Automotive Re-Trim Spray Adhesive. Tensorgrip T44 is a high temperature re-trim adhesive
Tensorgrip T44 is a high temperature automotive re-trim adhesive. This is suitable for bonding carpets, head linings and panel fabrics to wood, metal and composite substrates. It bonds foams, fabrics and headlining materials to wood and GRP. It has a high temperature resistance."
Karlos, to be honest I would have jumped at £250 to do the job, but I would have to see some examples of the persons work. I think that if it is done not very well then I may as well do it myself. I sincerely object to paying someone to do a c*ap job !!
Pierre3.
Having done seats and door trim and sewn a roof lining I can honestly say that £250 for job is very reasonable But with patience and common sense job is pretty straightforward It's not like you have to do lots of sewing
Yes, those are the clips, but as said, you don't actually need them. The adhesive is a contact adhesive, spray it on both surfaces and as soon as they touch it is stuck so no margin for error. Anything else will, as you say, soak through the foam.
It might be worth speaking to Martrim and asking about what can be used that you can source locally if your going to get the material from them if you are struggling to find something suitable. They may be able to advise or have an alternative option you can get hold of easily.
My mate in France did his and used a 3M product sold by a boat chandlers and intended to be used on boat trim. Not sure if you are near the coast but that might be an option too.
Excellent stuff, guys. Those springy clip things are actually quite expensive when you find them for sale. I see that they are around $40 or more each, to which you would have to add postage from the States, and then probably import tax. So it would make sense to make as much care as possible to try to keep them from disappearing down the drain !!
What holds the material to the sunshade ? Is it just the adhesive ?
It's milling down with rain at the moment so I can't do much about the headlining, or sunroof, until better weather appears.
Pierre3.
As it was a rainy day and a few jobs are on hold, I took the opportunity to go round to Martrim in Sandbach.
They were very helpful and we matched samples in the daylight. I can confirm that the best match, for me at least, is Oatmeal. I am 99.9% certain I have the Lightstone. I can rule out Grey /Silver Grey and the others. Oatmeal looks near identical to me.
The kit was only 60 quid all in. That is for 3.5M of headlining and 3 cans of adhesive.
I asked about the adhesive: Said I knew someone in Ireland and was there a problem shipping the adhesive? Said it was the courier pushing up the postal charges to something ridiculous since we left the EU. I asked what was special about it so it could be sourced locally and he said it was just the temperature rating. Their can says 80 deg C but adhesive needs to be good for 70 deg C at least according to the man. I asked about Evostick he said any adhesive that can be sprayed on. Just spray both surfaces and let it go tacky.
They also have some "how to" videos on their website which I haven't seen yet.
I asked about sound deadening panels and they have heard of it being done but have no experience with it.
If you are determined to use the spring clips I have some that you are more than welcome to for free. Having reinstalled mine firstly with the clips and then without the clips it runs more smoothly without and a lot less trouble to fit.
Hi David, thanks for all your information, and many thanks for asking about the adhesive. I now, at least, know what to look for, and I think that the Tensorgrip T44, that is available locally, will suit the job.
I spoke to a friend of mine today, who restores old cars generally, and, would you believe it, he has a full roll of the Oatmeal lining in his stockroom, which he bought from Martrim. He was going to redo some caravan or something but the customer changed his mind, so my pal said that he just put in his stores and it has been there for the last two years. Apparently, it is still fully wrapped up. He is willing to sell it to me for around €40 if I want to go and collect at the weekend. Which I think that I will do as it is a pretty good offer. I might just ask him if he will give me a hand doing the retrim !!
When you say that the sunshade runs better without the springy things how is that ? Does it just slide easier ? Is there any downside to leaving them out ?
Pierre3.
Pierre3 wrote:
Karlos, to be honest I would have jumped at £250 to do the job, but I would have to see some examples of the persons work. I think that if it is done not very well then I may as well do it myself. I sincerely object to paying someone to do a c*ap job !!
Pierre3.
I have seen the blokes work he is good at what he do he going to do it for less now if I can supply the materials he just going to charge me for his time
Pierre, the springs are a nightmare to keep in place and because of the thickness of the new fabric it fills the channel that it runs in. Maybe in a few years the foam will compress but really I don't think it's an issue.
Hi Karlos, unfortunately there is nowhere in Ireland where you would get the job done for £250. Or if you can then it will be a completely sh**e job.
David, do the springy things just pressure fit under the sunshade ?
Pierre3.
Pierre3 wrote:
Hi Karlos, unfortunately there is nowhere in Ireland where you would get the job done for £250. Or if you can then it will be a completely sh**e job.
thats not good mate don't think it a bad price to get it done
no I might just get him to do it for me and I'll supply the materials
Hi Pierre,
no they clip over the edge and you have to trim the fabric back to allow them to sit tight on the board. Then when you go to put it back in they all fly off again.
If the whole cassette is out it might be easier I suppose but if you follow the workshop manual you have to mess around with the track that the roof runs in and then it gets out of sync on the cable etc. etc.
Ask me how I know!
David, can I ask how you get the actual roof lining panel out of the vehicle ?
I have taken out all the fittings, lights, sunvisors, etc. etc. I have removed the rear seat belt caps but I am not sure how to take off the trim sections if I need to.
The main thing is getting the headlining panel out.
Pierre3.
Hi Pierre,
you will need to take off the A-E post trims wich are held on by clips which locate into holes in the body. They do pop off but they can need a bit of effort and on mine some broke off leaving the clip in the body. It's not a big deal as they can be araldited back on once they have been retirrieved from the body. There are two press in clips at the rear as well into the roof. Also ease off the door rubbers and tailgate rubber. There might be something else I've forgotten but someone else will probably pick it up.