Seems like the harder I try the worse things get. This is day three working on this "little" project. Don't know that I trust auto upholstery shops here but may have to bite the "bullet" and see what they can do. There are hundreds of little bitty adhesive ***** that are just a real labor intensive endeavor to remove. Lots of stubborn adhesive splotches that just don't won't to cooperate with their removal. Don't think I'll win on getting a smooth surface. Anyone know if they make some kind of "heavy bodied" roll on texture that I could make the entire surface at least consistant before priming and painting???

Update: Guess Home Depot and I can figure out the texture paint problem.

 

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Given all the 'things' put on the core to date, I hope the 'core' isn't ruined by now. Best to tell whomever you take it to (if that is your decision), every product applied so that they can evaluate whether or not they can successfully recover the 'core'. Remember, they will probably have some kind of warranty on the work they do, so they must know if the products they use will work alongside what you've already added/tried. Good luck!


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I'd say the "core" is still strong. Only separation were the two front corners which were suspect even before I started. Used Gorilla Glue and now they are strong and stiffened.

 

I think you would be better of recovering the liner with the proper foam backed lining, the foam would depress over small bumps and the whole job would look fine. If you do not feel comfortable doing the job go to an upholstery shop.
An auto upholstery shop would be best.

 

That's the approach I took when the headliner in my Coupe started sagging a few years back. Auto upholstery shop I've used here on several needs took the headliner I removed from the coupe, matched the old headliner material practically "dead nuts", and even helped me re-install the headliner (when I had trouble getting the install by the rear hatch right). All for $132.50 USD. He even helped me take the A-pillar moldings off in the beginning because I was afraid to pull on them. I then went home & did the remainder of the headliner removal work. This guy makes sure there is ample material to wrap around the headliner board edges to ensure the headliner material does not come loose. So far, so good! I knew I didn't have the patience to recover the headliner board myself & do a 1st class job.

 

So I'm accepting defeat and have just ordered another roll of foam backed headliner fabric. I'll find a auto upholstery shop and get it done. Headliner should arrive in about a week or less! While I wait for headliner material I'll troubleshoot why the electric seats don't work. It's probably a relay up under the steering wheel.

 

That’s the best decision.

 

Not probably it is. I remember when my seat relay went out after my mother drove my car and since she is short the seat was pushed up which made changing that relay even more a pain with the seat near the lower dash.

 

Took the headliner to a shop Friday and picked it up today at lunch time. I supplied liner material and was charged $134. Looks good. So my total cost was $280 because of my ruining materials trying to do it myself the first time. I'll try and install it tomorrow if feeling well. Wife came up with Covid couple days ago and I'm feeling a little funny this evening. I'll do a Covid Home Test when I get up in the morning.

 

Think there was never anything wrong with the seats. When I was going to lay the seat backs down, for headliner removal, I believe I only turned the ignition switch to the to the first position instead of "on" position.

 

The seats work every which way even with no key in the ignition, so the relay was probably partially at fault and only worked in certain directions. So you can forgive your mother, she probably forgave many of your transgressions in the past anyway.

 

The seats still don't work with the ignition "off." That said I hardly ever use the seat adjustment because I'm the only one that drives the car so it stays same all the time. Except for vacuming once in a while. l Had my car two years and wifey still has never ridden in it. Suits me just fine!s

 

Put my headliner back in this morning and really looks good. Gotta hold your mouth just right to get it back into the car though! LoL

 

Put it back into the car this morning and really looks good!

 

I'll bet you are glad you did it right.

 

Yup! Most electrical and mechanical things I can do myself but doing upholstery type work is something new to me and I guess I "failed" at it! Oh well another lesson learned what I will do and not do again!