KiloTango1200 Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 I am doing a resto project on my Dad's '72 1200. It is in very good original condition. the headliner is intact, but has yellowed from age. Never smoked in. Need to bring the headliner back to the original color without ruining it. Any suggestions? Headliner is in good shape. Passenger sun visor First resto project. Trying to not screw anything up. Quote Link to comment
Z-train Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 It is going to be brittle.Best to see what a new one will cost.Cheaper than you think. Quote Link to comment
KiloTango1200 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 It is going to be brittle.Best to see what a new one will cost.Cheaper than you think. Actually it's pliable and not brittle. Not a lot of UV exposure. Stayed under some sort of cover and usually fully enclosed storage. If you know where new ones are are available, let me know. Quote Link to comment
KELMO Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 I just got one off of ebay for my coupe...can't member what I spent 150-200 maybe. Headliner Mart 811 Victoria DR Keller TX 76248 1 Quote Link to comment
Ratwagon1600 Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 I've cleaned hood liners with varying degrees of success by using a mixture of sugar soap in warm water and a soft bristled brush and then wiping them down with a damp cloth afterwards. The staining shown in your photos may be difficult to get rid of as it looks as though it's leached into the vinyl. Another alternative you may want to try, though not keeping the original look is to use the cleaning method I've suggested above and then a rattle pack vinyl color. 1 Quote Link to comment
KiloTango1200 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 I just got one off of ebay for my coupe...can't member what I spent 150-200 maybe. Headliner Mart 811 Victoria DR Keller TX 76248 I just got one off of ebay for my coupe...can't member what I spent 150-200 maybe. Headliner Mart 811 Victoria DR Keller TX 76248 I see them on e-bay for the coupe, but I can't find anything for the 2 dr. sedan Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 Agree. Simple Green, a good damp cellulose sponge and the softest baby's toothbrush you can find. A good clear water rinse and you should be ready for vinyl upholstery spray paint. 2 Quote Link to comment
captaingamez Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 avoid removing it if you can, you have to take the rear window out on alot of these cars. 1 Quote Link to comment
Sealik Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Myself...I would try a watered down solution of Super Clean...maybe 50%+??? Then remove the SC residual with a clean damp/warm rag/sponge I believe they carry 4 different 'concoctions' for various apps. Pretty much the best cleaner I have come across Quote Link to comment
KELMO Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Wish I would have thought of this earlier today but.....I have a headliner that I took out, I could send it to you and you could test different solutions and see what works out best. Also, FWIW, the one that I just got is basically a square headliner with and extra piece for the pillars and such, so some assembly required. And while I am at it...the front windshield, back glass, and all side weatherstrips have to come out as they help to hold the headliner in. The other thing to think about is the fiberglass type padding behind the headliner...I don't know if it will soak up any moisture but thought it would be good info to have knowing what is between the liner and the roof skin How many bows are in your headliner? The coupe has and they had asked me when I placed my order if it had 4 or 5...maybe that is the difference (?). PM me your address if you want the old liner, I need to compare it to what I ordered but other than that I have no use for it. Oh good lord I can ramble....about that shell....nah I'll go ramble in your other thread. 1 Quote Link to comment
Sealik Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Here's a 40+ year old goon headliner...I'll hit it with 100% Super Clean misted to a rag and or. Pretty sure there will be a significant improvement Pic was taken today.... 1 Quote Link to comment
KiloTango1200 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Wish I would have thought of this earlier today but.....I have a headliner that I took out, I could send it to you and you could test different solutions and see what works out best. Also, FWIW, the one that I just got is basically a square headliner with and extra piece for the pillars and such, so some assembly required. And while I am at it...the front windshield, back glass, and all side weatherstrips have to come out as they help to hold the headliner in. The other thing to think about is the fiberglass type padding behind the headliner...I don't know if it will soak up any moisture but thought it would be good info to have knowing what is between the liner and the roof skin How many bows are in your headliner? The coupe has and they had asked me when I placed my order if it had 4 or 5...maybe that is the difference (?). PM me your address if you want the old liner, I need to compare it to what I ordered but other than that I have no use for it. Oh good lord I can ramble....about that shell....nah I'll go ramble in your other thread. The outer roof and inner headliner are perfect so I have no reason to believe there is a rust problem there. Except for a very few places, the only rust issues are on the top portion of a horizontal panel. I count 5 bows in the headliner. Thanks for the offer. PM on the way Quote Link to comment
Creepy Cruiser Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 I always leave them installed, and just clean them lightly with a 50/50 mix of purple power and water. After it drys real good, I tape everything off and vinyl dye it with a good quality spray dye (like SEM) of whatever color of choice may be. They always come out looking like brand new, and I've never had one fade or crack after. 2 Quote Link to comment
blue72 Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 SEM vinyl dye is the hot ticket. Did most of the interior panels in my 240Z and they are all holding up very well. 2 Quote Link to comment
Creepy Cruiser Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Yep, here's a pic of my hardbody interior. I did the entire thing with SEM 16 years ago, to go from oem blue to black and grey, and it still looks awesome (other than the dash pad cracking like all 1st gens do, lol) 1 Quote Link to comment
captaingamez Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 SEM vinyl dye is the hot ticket. Did most of the interior panels in my 240Z and they are all holding up very well. I am incredibly impressed with SEMs products as well for the interior, someone said that their bumper black was pretty awesome as well. 1 Quote Link to comment
KiloTango1200 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Yep, here's a pic of my hardbody interior. I did the entire thing with SEM 16 years ago, to go from oem blue to black and grey, and it still looks awesome (other than the dash pad cracking like all 1st gens do, lol) I always wanted to get a 60's Caddy Hearse and paint The Grateful Dead logo on the hood. The skeleton with roses for hair. Quote Link to comment
HOGIE Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 So instead of creating a new thread I decide to revive one that had a similar topic. Just like my question. I'm wondering if their is a good product that can be used to preserve an old and somewhat brittle headliner? Is the simple answer just cleaning with simple green and using armor all to keep the plastic soft? Quote Link to comment
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