Q&A for How to Install a Headliner

Upholstery shops that advertise headliner replacement will charge anywhere from $300-$600 depending on the shop. The shops I called would not warranty the work. Another option is to remove the foam, paint the headliner, and never worry that the headliner will droop again. It worked for me on an older Jeep Cherokee.

You should purchase a new one, which you can get from a fabric store or online. Buy two yards (1.8 meters) for a small to average-sized car and three yards (2.75 meters) for a larger car.

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.

There is a hole in the headliner where the sunroof is. Just cut out and adhere the shape of the headliner. Be careful you don't get creases, and stretch the fabric around the curves.

You can't. It will only get worse if you try. The glue isn't the issue, it's the foam separating from the fabric.

Yes, you may use any kind of fabric.

I would imagine it would look very wrinkly without the foam backing, as the fabric is extremely thin and would be hard to place without a certain level of stiffness. I suppose rolling the car on the roof may solve this problem, though creates others. Also, I would worry that the thickness wouldn't be appropriate and there would be gaps where the trim pieces and light fixtures met the headliner.

The best adhesive to use for a headliner is contact cement. It creates a tight seal and will help prevent bubbles, wrinkles, or folds in the material. Brush the contact cement on the underside of the headliner fabric and on the exposed headliner board. If you don't have contact cement, use 3M spray to glue your headliner fabric to the board. Make sure you stretch the material tight when you attach it so it doesn't bubble or wrinkle.

One trick you can try is to use an iron to smooth out the wrinkles. Take damp towel and hold it over the surface of the iron. Iron the wrinkle in the fabric until it's gone. Keep the iron moving so it doesn't stay in 1 spot for too long. The damp towel will help keep the iron from burning the headliner fabric, but it's important that you keep the iron in motion to smooth out the wrinkles without damaging the material.

The best way to repair or install a new headliner is to have a professional do the job. While the price can vary based on the amount of damage as well as the make and model of your vehicle, generally, it costs between $200-$350 USD. Contact a local body shop and bring your vehicle in to get a price quote to have your headliner repaired.