What is the best way to clean the headliner? I have some road soot that has accumulated on the liner from riding with the windows open and I would like to know what products to use to clean it.

Thank You

Fred Berry

Believe it or not, but I have heard that any good spray brake cleaner works very nicely on cleaning headliners.

Bill

Fred,
What model do you have? If the headliner is like the liner in the W124 (smoother and vinyl-like) then any variety of cleaners should work. (more on that later) If it is slightly more "carpeted" like a W210 I would be more careful in what you use.

For light duty cleaning and universal protection use Lexol's Vinylex. If whatever is on there does not respond to that you can try Windex, failing that, 409/Simple Green. I would try and avoid the harsh cleaners if possible. Another option is the automotive creme "Goop". Apply to a particlularly nasty stain and let sit a couple mins. Then wipe with a damn rag. If yours is the slightly carpeted kind, then treat it like you would the rug/mats: vacuum, carpet shampoo, blot with a damp rag, blot with dry rag.

Whatever substance you use, scrub and remove with a terrycloth. The grain/nap will work its way into the texture better than a smooth rag.

Hope this helps....Lee

Hello Lee and others,

I have a 92 500SEL with the material headliner.

Thanks

Fred,
Which "material" do you have? The semi-cloth type, or the straight vinyl? (I suppose I can go poke my head inside a W140 tomorrow but I don't have one next to me at the moment.) Just be more careful with the cloth but try the steps I've mentioned above. Failing those steps, a steam cleaner (wand attachment) might work too.

Hope this helps....Lee

It is the semi-cloth material in a light gray which show the road soot.

Thanks again for so much information on this site.

Since you have the cloth type I would avoid the Simple Green/409 level cleansers. Treat it more like a stubborn carpet stain. A raid of the S/O's domestic cleaning supplies might be in order. Start with the basics of a carpet shampoo (I seem to remember auto upholstery specific hand held models that were disposable and cheap but I forget where.) If the carpet shampoo does not do it, try either the steam cleaner, or some carpet spot stain remover. I can't recall brands offhand, just rummage around under the sink/linen closet or go to the household cleaner section of any Walmart or grocery store. If all of those don't touch it post back and we can take it from there.

Best of Luck...Lee

Fred-
Try to find some TECH STAIN REMOVER. It is made by Tech Enterprises in Madison, Wisc. You can find it at Ace Hardware or any place that sells carpet. It comes in a white plastic squirt bottle with red lettering on it.
This stuff is great and will remove just about anything. I have used it on carpet, cloth furniture and clothing with super results. My wife treasures the stuff! After I got black grease on the carpet in her E320 wagon, Tech came to the rescue and saved my marriage.

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'98 E430
MBCA-Peachtree