**Headliner Make-over** Gray-->Black

[cS]

Well what I started yesterday is probably my biggest project ever. After having seen a fellow bf.c member do it, I was convinced I could too. I am reupholstering my headliner.

My headliner was falling down, it's a common problem with E36's, and there were black oily fingerprints on the gray fabric from the wankers who installed the mic and phone antenna. Having people sit in the back of my car and notice it's half falling apart was not acceptable, and I'd always wanted a black headliner to match the car and it's interior, so I decided to give it a make-over.

I began with a small piece, the sunroof control panel. That way I can form a technique for the larger more difficult sections.

I started by peeling away the old gray fabric. It left plenty of foam, as you can see in the top portion of the pic, which I later removed with a good scrubbing brush. You gotta make sure you get it real clean. I then wiped it down with alcohal to remove any other bits of dust. Next up was the spray adhesive and tacking the material on.

When you apply the spray adhesive (make sure it's a industrial/auto adhesive), I suggest you wait about 3-4 min until it dries a bit. This apparently helps the fabric adhere much better.

What I ended up with was a very nice, professional looking panel, if I may say so myself.

EDIT: The sun made the fabric tun out a lot lighter in this pic. :

[EpDarks]

Wow that looks delicious. :12:

Good job. Make sure you get some fully installed pics.

[cS]

Thanks EpDarks.

Next up: A pillars!

[MGregski]

Where did you get the material?

Good job, BTW.

[IMAGE&STYLE]

Lookin good bro, and to answer your question you can pick up the material at any fabric store.

[cS]

Where did you get the material?

Good job, BTW.

I got the stuff from a local upholstery material warehouse. 9.95/yard. :

Alright I finished the A pillar.

Wasn't too hard. The fabricon this peeled off real nicely as it doesn't have any foam backing. I simply applied the glue, tacked up the pieces and trimmed.

If I did it again, I would wrap the leading edge instead of cutting it flush as BMW did.

[JuBu]

I got the stuff from a local upholstery material warehouse. 9.95/yard. :

Alright I finished the A pillar.

Wasn't too hard. The fabricon this peeled off real nicely as it doesn't have any foam backing. I simply applied the glue, tacked up the pieces and trimmed.

If I did it again, I would wrap the leading edge instead of cutting it flush as BMW did.

VERY NICE! How did you remove the headliner and the pillar panels? Are there any tabs/etc. to watch out for? Easy to break anything?

Also, what do you plan on doing with the trim pieces like that edging strip that goes around the opening for the sunroof? Also, what about the sunroof panel? Can that be accessed easily?

LOOKS AWESOME and I can't wait for more pics! I've always wanted to do this but with black alcantara...Now I'm really getting the urge to do so!

[cleoent]

looks good so far! Now do the big piece

[525iT_Feen]

looks good so far! Now do the big piece

YOUR SIG ROCKS CLEOENT!!!!

Seth the roof looks sweet, do more. :

[cS]

VERY NICE! How did you remove the headliner and the pillar panels? Are there any tabs/etc. to watch out for? Easy to break anything?

Also, what do you plan on doing with the trim pieces like that edging strip that goes around the opening for the sunroof? Also, what about the sunroof panel? Can that be accessed easily?

LOOKS AWESOME and I can't wait for more pics! I've always wanted to do this but with black alcantara...Now I'm really getting the urge to do so!

Thanks guys.

The first thing you have to do is remove the A & C pillars. They both have tabs so just pull them straight out. Then Take off the sunroof control panel and the visor hardware. Then you gotta loosen the door gaskets and get the B pillar loose. Oh and you also gotta remove the sunroof gasket. The Headliner should just fall down bassically after that.

Jury is still out on the sunroof gasket. I think what I'm going to do is dye it but I need to find a good dye first. As for the sunroof, I'm going to have to take that out anyways since it needs new lifters (if anyone is selling them lemme know).

I installed the 2nd pillar tonight and it looks awesome!!!

If you guys do this make sure you get foam backed fabric or else there will be bumps everywhere. Who knows, I might actually have a quieter cabin now with twice as much foam as stock.

Next up: C pillars

[coloboardin]

Hey seth do you know of a good reupholstery shop around anywhere, I want to redo my seats.

[RDR-EURO]

Your doing a very good job! I was wondering how did you take out the headliner out of the car?

[JuBu]

Thanks guys.

The first thing you have to do is remove the A & C pillars. They both have tabs so just pull them straight out. Then Take off the sunroof control panel and the visor hardware. Then you gotta loosen the door gaskets and get the B pillar loose. Oh and you also gotta remove the sunroof gasket. The Headliner should just fall down bassically after that.

Jury is still out on the sunroof gasket. I think what I'm going to do is dye it but I need to find a good dye first. As for the sunroof, I'm going to have to take that out anyways since it needs new lifters (if anyone is selling them lemme know).

I installed the 2nd pillar tonight and it looks awesome!!!

If you guys do this make sure you get foam backed fabric or else there will be bumps everywhere. Who knows, I might actually have a quieter cabin now with twice as much foam as stock.

Next up: C pillars

Thanks for the reply! How exactly do you go about removing the sunroof gasket? Is it glued to the headliner at all? Or is it just slid in place?

[natopotato]

Idefi ur a pimp... lol looks great!

[cS]

Thanks for the reply! How exactly do you go about removing the sunroof gasket? Is it glued to the headliner at all? Or is it just slid in place?

That's easy, just yank on it a bit and it will come out.

Here is the c-pillar I did today. The black shows really well.

I wrapped the fabric around the rear and bottom edge , unlike bmw, so no edges would be showing when installed. the leading edge was cut and is a bit wavy as you can see. That's normal and it will be inserted between the body and the window gasket where it's not even visible.

[mpower310]

that looks nice. post pics when you have it all together.

[toddman35]

Looks good, I'd love to see a picture of the back of the fabric you're using. How thick is the padding on there? I'm looking forward to seeing the final product.

[JuBu]

Looks good, I'd love to see a picture of the back of the fabric you're using. How thick is the padding on there? I'm looking forward to seeing the final product.

Yea...can you show us a pic of the fabric? Maybe a shot from the inner portion to show off the padding?

Looks awesome!

[320Power]

that looks nice. post pics when you have it all together.

Yes, post pics! This is a really good idea. Some friends have left burn marks from their cigarettes on my headliner (who were then promptly banished from my car), so i think this would be good to get rid of any unwated marks, and to make the inside look uniform.

T

[cS]

Finished the C-Pillars today and it's on to the headliner.

[cS]

Here is a photo of the material I am using. Its quite a but thinker than OEM stuff which is good because it prevents bumps if the surface is not completely smooth. I am also guessing it will cut down on noise a bit.

[320Power]

I have a question for your Black Wasp...
What are you going to do about the arm/hanger handles?( i dont know what they're called). They are inside the car, above the windows.
I dont know about you, but mine are grey and are plastic. What are your plans for them?

T

[JuBu]

I have a question for your Black Wasp...
What are you going to do about the arm/hanger handles?( i dont know what they're called). They are inside the car, above the windows.
I dont know about you, but mine are grey and are plastic. What are your plans for them?

T

You could get the black vinyl dye for those...Many have dyed door panels which are plastic and they've held up well I've heard.

[cS]

Yah I may try the dye. If not I'll either delete them or buy some black ones.

[BimmerDawg]

That's pretty cool. Nice mod!