Thread: Re-Upholstering a Roof Lining

A couple of years ago I redid my RR headlining, using 3M spray on contact adhesive, and a textured/knitted fawn coloured fabric. May have cost me $60. My advice would be to use plenty of glue.

Don't waste your time doing it yourself. It will fall off again as the foam backing is deteriorating.

I went through this a few years ago when the headlining on my Defender started to sag. I remember all the useful comments like 'hold it up with drawing pins', 'put a hat holder in as that will hold it in place', 'cut slits and inject some glue behind it', 'fit an overhead console' .....

The original lining is a PVC type of material which is great because it can be washed but every single motor trimmer I spoke to could not offer a replacement material so it meant a complete new headlining (from memory just one section was over $1,000 from LR). So it had to be replaced with a conventional headlining material.
As p38arover commented it's the foam backing which is breaking down. The headlining material has a very thin layer of foam on the back and it is the foam that is glued to the headlining board. With time/heat etc. the foam breaks down and you get a saggy lining.
Mine cost about $130 2 years ago but I removed & refitted the boards myself (and cleaned off all the foam residue) so the price quoted sounds about right. While the boards were out I reinforced them over the Alpine windows because they were starting to sag.

If you do it yourself you need to be careful with the gluing process. If you push the material down too hard the glue squeezes through the foam so the material bonds through the foam and the surface ends up with a 'dent' in it which is impossible to get out. You need to spray glue the board and very carefully smooth the material into place, then wait a day or so to ensure the glue is completely dry before re-installing the headlining (otherwise you put dents in as you install it !).

Hope this helps.....

Colin

Fibre Glass the roof side of Foam-Backing first and then Glue the Fabric to the Foam lining , I have had great success with this . had done it 5 years ago and nothing has sagged .. and rooflining looks good too ,the process is time consuming but the end result is definitely worth it.

Originally Posted by gromit

Mine cost about $130 2 years ago but I removed & refitted the boards myself (and cleaned off all the foam residue) so the price quoted sounds about right. While the boards were out I reinforced them over the Alpine windows because they were starting to sag.

Colin

thanks mate

mine is only a 2 door troop carrier so only the part above the driver is lined with fabric rather than the whole roof.

thats why i thought it was a bit steep?

Jock

i got it all done cost $130 cash but was well spent i reckon. had it done in stuff a bit like carpet so the foam backing doesnt rot and droop, also its possible to just vacuum the stuff which is good

ill post some pics up tomorrow personally i think looks pretty good

Jock

here goes. also to fix the problem of the sag in the middle of the lining, i drilled up through the rib in the roof and put some of the upholestry screws (dunno wot they are called ) in holds it up pretty well i reckon.

does anyone know how to post the pics up so that u dont have to click on them to see full size. so the come out in full size in the post?

Thanks

Jock

Hey guys
I did my Disco like Jock.
Looks ok with all the plugs (get them form Repco etc).
people laugh at it but I'm a tight **** and I'm the only one that has to look at it anyway.
No joke Landrover must have used Perkins Past on it.(only old dudes will know what that is.)

Harry
Disco 97 TDI