Sagging headliner blues--Summary

[Wallace White]

All -

Thanks for the many replies! I guess sagging headliners are pretty
common on 5k's; no 4k/coupe/80/90 owners chimed in.

To summarize the other options suggested:

(5) Vinyl headliner from '84 5k: Luke Jackson BTDT. Cheap and effective
but time consuming.

(6) Staple gun: Nick Bean BTDT. Cheap, effective, makes a statement.

(7) Expanding foam: no BTDT. Sounds messy. Adhesive properties of foam
ill-defined.

(8) Wood slat arches: no BTDT. Doyt, you nut!

(9) Upholstery shop work: Chander Balakrishnan, George Tur BTDT.
$100-250 for excellent results.

(10) SOSMETAL No. 211417 trim adhesive: Jim Bush BTDT. Can even be
applied through a syringe.

I'll try to find the SOSMETAL adhesive first; #5 and #9 will be my
backups, I think.

Thanks again to all!

- Wallace
  '87 5kcstq 179k

Wallace White wrote:
>
> Fellow listers -
>
> My 5k is showing its age in the most undignified way possible: letting
> its headliner sag. It's now got a big bubble of loose cloth right above
> where the rear passengers' seats are. Yes, I realized this shortly
> before my in-laws came in town. At least it wasn't hanging down low
> enough to hit their heads! But it will be soon.
>
> What to do?
>
> I've searched the archives. I find the following options:
>
> (1) New headliner assembly from the dealer. $400 plus installation. (Did
> I say this was an option? Whoops.)
>
> (2) Remove the whole headliner assy and pull the cloth off, then use
> lots of 3M trim adhesive spray (not Super 77), let dry partly, and press
> the cloth down again.
>
> (3) Thumbtacks. Crude but clever. Some listers report ill results: not
> only is it ineffective, but the thumbtacks may become projectiles.
>
> (4) Tent pole. (My idea.) Does obscure visibility somewhat.
>
> Any other suggestions? The cloth hasn't completed separated from the
> foam yet, so I can't get in and put an adhesive in without pulling
> things apart more...
>
> I'm considering #2 but with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, like a 3M
> 467. We design the stuff into products at work and it sticks like crazy.
>
> Thanks,
>
> - Wallace
>   '87 5kcstq 179k