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Headliner Repair or Replacement
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Posted 9/13/2018 5:33 PM
ychung
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Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
100
Headliner Repair or Replacement

Headliner between the sunroof and the front passenger side door started sagging on my truck. I took it to a small but a reputable local auto upholstery shop and was told that I need a replacement. Same material as an original from Germany for $750, parts and labor, including the sunroof. He said that he won't glue it back for quick fix since it's going to show glue marks and won't hold it for long. He also said that I could try to glue it myself if that's the route I am looking for.
I've never had to deal with a headliner on any cars, so I have no idea, if in fact that headliner is not repairable. On the other hand, I think $750 is a reasonable price although I am not thrilled. The headliner is in mint condition without any flaw, so I want to save it if I can. Has anyone had same issue on headliner and what did you end up doing it?
Thank you
#239829
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Posted 9/13/2018 10:24 PM
bluegg
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Date registered: Nov 2016
Location: Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada
Vehicle(s): 1985 300GDT, 2003 Beetle 1.8t S, 1982 F350 SC Dual
Posts: 141
100
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

I am having similar problem in 85 280GE.
Headliner is beginning to sag in centre and toward rear of truck.
I plan to locate roof ribs and fasten strips of PVC close to roof liner colour with short self tapping screws and finish washers also painted for un noticeable support.
Strips will go side to be and be screwed working both sides, in turn, toward the middle. This should ease and stretch the headliner back to where it began.
This may also serve as points to mount netting hung in back for overhead storage.
#239831 - in reply to #239829
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Posted 9/15/2018 2:12 AM
AlanMcR
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
2000
RE: Headliner Repair or Replacement

The 463 headliner is held up with these giant patches of mushroom head velcro.  The velcro doesn't give out, but the glue holding the velcro on does.  Peek in there and you will see what I mean.  Feel free to run a side to side bead of glue where the velcro is.  Then clamp the headliner up.  Use a board against the headliner to prevent leaving any clamp marks.
#239837 - in reply to #239829
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Posted 9/17/2018 7:35 AM
Inkblotz
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3184
2000
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

I had posted this elsewhere:
The hard formed roof of my headliner was also sagging at my sunroof. I tried the industrial velcro however the adhesive surface that held the velcro in place did not hold as the heat of the sun warmed the roof up.

So I came up with a simple solution involving a 10 inch long metal plate strip, 2 interior plastic panel push fasteners, and 3 Neodymium N42 Magnets.
1. Drill 2 holes in the rigid Metal strip at each end
2. Hold the plate up to the edge of the roof and mark the 2 holes on the headliner.
3. Drill the same size 2 holes in the headliner
4. Place the metal strip on top of the inside edge lined up with the holes that were drilled in the headliner
5. Insert the push panel fasteners to secure the plate
6. Place the magnets on the metal strip
7. Push the panel up and Viola securely fastened.
#239838 - in reply to #239829
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Posted 9/17/2018 10:04 AM
gbenzer
Extreme Veteran




Date registered: Dec 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 2007 G-500, 2017 Audi Q7
Posts: 418
300
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

Inkblotz, my 2007 G500 has a soft headliner which is falling also but I don't think that will work on a soft liner. The only suggestion I can find locally (southwest Georgia) is to replace it because of the same reasons previously mentioned in this thread. My liner is falling at practically all places not just one place. I have been referred to a shop near Albany which restores vintage autos. I'm still open to any ideas. Thanks
#239839 - in reply to #239838
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Posted 9/17/2018 10:46 AM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
5000
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

Gbenzer, There's also Bud's Benz in Douglasville. Strictly MB restorations. They've been around for at least 40 years.

https://budsbenz.com/
#239840 - in reply to #239839
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Posted 9/17/2018 1:44 PM
ychung
Veteran


Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
100
RE: Headliner Repair or Replacement

Alan and Mark, thank you for your comments, however, my 2004 G is probably different than what you're describing.
Soft headliner is separating from the hard headliner, and was told from two upholstery shops that I need a replacement.
One shop was showing me the generic materials that they claim will be 95% close to an original which I doubt, and the other shop is telling me that they will get the same exact material from Germany.
I think I have no choice but get a new replacement.
#239841 - in reply to #239829
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Posted 9/17/2018 8:24 PM
gbenzer
Extreme Veteran




Date registered: Dec 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 2007 G-500, 2017 Audi Q7
Posts: 418
300
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

Dutch, Thanks for the info I'll check with them.
#239845 - in reply to #239840
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Posted 9/17/2018 10:18 PM
AlanMcR
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
2000
RE: Headliner Repair or Replacement

Check carefully, you might be suffering from both the shell separating from the cross hoops and the liner fabric delaminating. 
#239847 - in reply to #239841
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Posted 9/18/2018 11:46 AM
ychung
Veteran


Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
100
RE: Headliner Repair or Replacement

I am sorry, but I have no idea where and how to begin to look for velcro patches.
would you have any instruction on this?
Thank you
#239851 - in reply to #239847
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Posted 9/18/2018 4:17 PM
AlanMcR
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
2000
RE: Headliner Repair or Replacement

The picture below shows the section of the headliner that has the Velcro patches.  You can see one on the left side.  The other patches are where the glue failed.  What you are looking at is the unseen top side of the headliner.  The long edge at the bottom of the photo is the edge where the sunroof slides into.  The Velcro patches attach that edge to a roof support that runs side to side just behind the sunroof opening.  If your headliner is loose there then you can peek in there and see the failed bits.  A long bead of Sikaflex 211 will hold that up for good (after 4 hours of clamping). 

That picture is of the headliner I removed to install the carbon-fiber floor of my CampTop.  


 

#239852 - in reply to #239851
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Posted 9/18/2018 5:38 PM
ychung
Veteran


Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
100
RE: Headliner Repair or Replacement

Actually mine is fine there, it's sagging between the sunroof and the front passenger door. Sunvisor and grab handle are helping it from sagging more.
I apperecaite your help though.
#239853 - in reply to #239829
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Posted 10/21/2019 1:25 PM
spots350sl
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Date registered: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500, 1972 350SL
Posts: 222
100
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

Hi everyone,

The headliner material in my 2003 G (grey interior) is starting to droop as well - the fabric is delaminating from the rigid core starting at each corner and slowly inching toward the center (though I'll also check the velcro when the time comes too). A local shop quoted $1,500 to replace the liner material... so I'm going to try it myself first.

I welcome any tips/tricks for (1) removing the headliner from the roof (it looks like it's just a matter of removing the hardware, pulls, lights, etc. and gently pulling it down); (2) removing the panels from the sunroof; and (3) recommendations for liner/adhesive materials.

Thanks!

Edited by spots350sl 10/21/2019 1:26 PM
#241124 - in reply to #239853
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Posted 10/25/2019 10:05 AM
NHDave
Extreme Veteran




Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 462
300
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

My headliner is sagging.
Contemplating replacing with leather. One concern is the extra weight compared to the foam back fabric currently being used, however leather sheets can be paper thin, an option worth exploring.
#241135 - in reply to #239829
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Posted 11/15/2019 8:03 PM
spots350sl
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Date registered: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500, 1972 350SL
Posts: 222
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Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

I had a shop tell me that the headliner would be too big to maneuver through the rear hatch and that the windshield would need to be removed to get the headliner out without damaging it. The shop told me that a prior customer had insisted that it would fit through the rear door and it didn't (and cracked).

Does this seem legitimate?
#241206 - in reply to #241135
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Posted 11/15/2019 10:35 PM
AlanMcR
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
2000
Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

I did get my (earlier) W463 headliner out in one piece.  It does take a lot of wrestling to do it. I didn't care about condition because I was only keeping the front section anyway. 

I think the bigger problem is reinstalling the recovered headliner without scuffing it up.  It should go in/out much easier if the passenger seat in front and the 1/3rd seat in the rear is removed first.  But that is a lot of work. 

The benefit of taking the windshield out is that you can inspect for rust.  If you cut out the old seal then the windshield has a very high likelihood of surviving the procedure.

#241208 - in reply to #241206
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Posted 7/14/2021 2:15 PM
Madele
New user




Date registered: Feb 2021
Location: Toronto
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 1

Re: Headliner Repair or Replacement

As far as I know, headliner replacement is pretty expensive. You can try to repair it, but it is not that easy, and you better find a good specialist that did this job before. Just put up in your mind that the best thing to do when you buy a car is to insure it. That is the only way to avoid such repairs and to avoid spending much money on the repairs. There are many good insurance companies like https://www.moneyexpert.com/car-insurance/car-rental-insurance/ where you can ensure your car at an excellent price. Check it out by yourself. I am sure you won't be disappointed.

Edited by Madele 7/14/2021 2:18 PM
#242831 - in reply to #239831
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Posted 7/15/2021 9:27 PM
Braingears
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Vehicle(s): G320 & ML320
Posts: 1450
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RE: Headliner Repair or Replacement

My headliner was heavily water stained around the sunroof, and was beginning to sag in several areas. I had an issue where my sunroof got stuck in the wide-open position, and had to remove the headliner. I removed the side panels and removed the headliner myself. It's carefully removed at a 45 degree angle through the rear door. Since it was already out, I dropped it off at one of the local shops. 

I chose to change the color to a darker charcoal liner, similar to the newer models. I wanted to make sure it was easy to clean too. Since I was the one pulling and replacing the headliner, it only cost me $175. 

If I were to do it all over again, I would have run additional wires for additional lighting and switches, and possibly a HAM radio. 

 

#242838 - in reply to #239829
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