Thinking of fixing my headliner with a syringe and epoxy?? Am I crazy?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

arcticathlon · #1 03-06-2016, 04:16 PM

So the headliner in my 240d is drooping and I want to address it. During inspection, i noticed that i have metal rods of sorts that run parallel across, inside my headliner. i was thinking of using a syringe and epoxy to pock a small hole in the headliner and then hold/glue the rods to my roof. I would need to poke probably 4 holes per rod, and the hole size would be 1mm in size. i think it would work, but need another brain that has seen the inside of the headliner to tell me if i am about to screw something up majorly...

Thanks

ROLLGUY · #2 03-06-2016, 04:23 PM

The headliner "bows" are steel, and the headliner material is sewn to a strip of cloth that the bow runs through. I doubt your epoxy idea will be successful. You are better off removing the headliner and having it sewn by an upholstery shop. It will involve removing the back glass to do it properly, as the rear edge of the headliner is under the window rubber. Worst case is you could hand sew it with the rear edge still under the back window rubber.

Skid Row Joe · #3 03-06-2016, 04:36 PM

No.

No more than using a staple driving gun into the headliner to affix a headliner.

.

engatwork · #4 03-06-2016, 05:03 PM

I had a friend that used a stapler on his BMW headliner.

BirthdayBenz · #5 03-06-2016, 05:18 PM

You can fix it yourself.

I made a new headliner for mine and did a brief write up. I didn't remove the rear glass. I just tucked it back up under the rubber and haven't had any issues in the past 10K miles 70mph with the windows down most of the way!

W123 Benz.: Headliner

BirthdayBenz · #6 03-06-2016, 05:26 PM

Also, your problem might simply be the bow hanging down due to the rubber grommet/stopper which secures it in place rotting away. You can get something similar to the rubber piece at the local hardware store and drill a hole in the center to accept the bow, then push the bow back up in place. I couldn't find the Mercedes grommet for mine so I ended up making two as described above. I didn't mention that on my blog.

BillGrissom · #7 03-06-2016, 09:50 PM

You might find Gorilla Glue (polyurethane) easier since no mixing or time constraints. It bonds to almost anything and foams a bit to fill holes. I used it to re-glue the newer fabric/foam headliner in my 1996 minivan, where headliner spray adhesive didn't work, as a temp fix. Be glad you have the older bow-style headliner like my 1960's cars. The newer foam stuff most U.S. cars changed to in the 1980's fails after 15 years and headliner on the head is bothersome.

Hogweed · #8 03-07-2016, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

You might find Gorilla Glue (polyurethane) easier since no mixing or time constraints. It bonds to almost anything and foams a bit to fill holes. I used it to re-glue the newer fabric/foam headliner in my 1996 minivan, where headliner spray adhesive didn't work, as a temp fix. Be glad you have the older bow-style headliner like my 1960's cars. The newer foam stuff most U.S. cars changed to in the 1980's fails after 15 years and headliner on the head is bothersome.

the problem for me has always been that when the original glue fails it leaves behind millions of tiny little spheres of old, mostly dried-up, glue/headliner material; affixing with any kind of glue, without first getting all that out, has been impossible for me, no matter the adhesive

Hogweed · #9 03-07-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

I had a friend that used a stapler on his BMW headliner.

the 300e i just had was fixed with clear push pins. i hardly noticed them

BillGrissom · #10 03-09-2016, 12:16 AM

On newer cars, I second that you can't bond the fabric board because of remaining foam. I scrapped all the foam off the backer board, but the spray adhesive still failed. With the Gorilla Glue I also used thumb-tacks, which let it penetrate into the backer. You can find web photos of decorative patterns people made w/ thumb-tacks. I plan to eventually remove the backer board, add a layer of fiberglass-epoxy and glue new fabric to that w/ contact cement.

On some 60's cars, I was able to buy new headliner fairly cheap (~$70) and it wasn't too hard to re-install w/ the bows. It was lose at first but shrunk tight over time. Don't install too tight or the sown seams might rip later. The company said they had patterns going back the 1930's, at least for U.S. cars. They were in the L.A. area.