Hi I need new headlining for 3 dr gti can anyone recommend a trim specialist in East Midlands area would like it as close to original as possible
Buy the whole thing, it's less hassle and straight swap, by the time you take the old one out and break it into pieces it cheaper to replace, my mate has done his, good quality https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184392433841?hash=item2aeea540b1:g:eOIAAOSwDDpdzDJ5
I'll be getting one of these for my red ones resto.
I've done two myself now and they're not fun at all!
I bought a spare (broken one) with the intention of strengthening and covering, then swapping over. But if I ever get round to doing it of not is still to be seen.
Have been in touch with the guy on the eBay link and he’s sending me some samples as I want it as close to original spec as poss,will see what they are like when they arrive
This is something I need too. The edges of my "bedouin tent" headlining are now coming away! I'd also like it to be close to OEM if possible.
I'm assuming these on ebay travel well when sent by a courier?
Custom boxes made for them and they are not a wafer like OE bit more rigid, here's a pic of one fitted, looks a bit grey on that bit is isnt as the other pic is my mate trimming up the sunroof winder and sunroof panel.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/681974008899698872/840290695227244614/69365394_732777247177864_3783276377097109504_n.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/681974008899698872/841671550495096868/123325997_805216480296136_4412119365481110365_n.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/681974008899698872/841671540894072873/123134707_397104981310257_5015513331352456807_n.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/681974008899698872/841671545876906004/123324645_2762273530713028_3383438812586941975_n.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/681974008899698872/841671554361327676/123380452_993813131120901_5868927846932831619_n.jpg)
I have just had one re-trimmed and it cost £300 so this looks very good value.
I have just had one re-trimmed and it cost £300 so this looks very good value.
That's pricey isn't it, does make these seem good value.
I guess I'm finding out what some already know.
I've tried to clean off as much of the disintegrated foam between the headlining "skin" and the shell then used high temp upholstery adhesive to stick the "skin" back on. It works for a while but it looks like the glue has turned into a sticky mess and the "skin" flops down again. I think I just need to cut it off until I replace it.
It's a bit like driving a van!
Was watching an old Car SOS a while back, can't even remember which one now but they were sorting out a new head-board for something or other.
At the time it reminded me of the different posts about our MK2 ones and that it always seemed to come back to the glue failing. They were a specialist company, but there's bound to be more than one and whatever adhesive they use must do the job or else they'd not be in business too long.
Might be worth trawling some of the old episodes or ringing one or two of them from the Yellow Pages for some pointers?
It's not actually the glue that fails, there is a very thin layer of foam between the crisp like headlining and the material, this deteriorates and lets the material sag.
I have taken down a headliner, cleaned off the foam and used proper trim fix adhesive to glue on fresh material.
Absolute pain in the ass, but seems to work.
Buy the whole thing, it's less hassle and straight swap, by the time you take the old one out and break it into pieces it cheaper to replace, my mate has done his, good quality https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184392433841?hash=item2aeea540b1:g:eOIAAOSwDDpdzDJ5
My headliner has also been sagging and needed new one this looks good. Sounds like the general consensus is that a DIY job on the headline doesn’t really last? So am I better off purchasing this one or getting my current one out and giving it a shot myself? If so what do I need to do to be able to refurb my headline myself?
Thanks :)
Without taking out the headlining and doing it properly a DIY job won't last, you can't just restick the saggy bit.
But a DIY job will last if done right - think about it, one you buy will have been done by someone else. Granted they've done it more often so have practice but there's no special tools required.
Like most things it's all in the prep. Glue can't stick to dust, so you have to clean away all the old foam, which has disintegrated into dust.
A headlining can be removed and refitted without breaking if done carefully, I've done it a few times now and mostly on my own.
Well I've just ordered one of them.
Fingers crossed!!
Would be interested to know how well the material on these match the original material
You can buy the original material from VW heritage - maybe you can buy that abs get the company on eBay to use it
I actually used the heritage stuff on my blue golf, it's not original, but VERY close to it.
They've done a good job getting it reproduced.
The material on the one I've ordered is just straight black, but they give enough to recover the sunroof and sun blinds, so it should all blend in ok when it's done.
The original on my H-reg Driver is cream, and I think vinyl rather than brushed material. Does anyone know a good source for this material, as the VW Heritage kit seems to be grey (perhaps GTI oriented?): VW Heritage Headliner (https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/uk/191867500m-headliner-material-dark-grey-over-black.html)
That one from Heritage is the one I bought for my blue golf. It's nigh on identical to a black gti one.
My last one, I bought a whole headliner from headliner-world on ebay and it was an excellent fit:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184392433841?hash=item2aeea540b1:g:eOIAAOSwDDpdzDJ5
They say they do cream, might be worth a message?
Thanks, I've sent them a question about it. Ideally, I'd like to get hold of something close to the original vinyl cloth, if possible. I may end up getting the uncovered version and the cloth separately, if I can track it down.
@Monkey I've just received my headlining from headliner world, I'm curious how you redo the sun visors. Especially the hinge bit. Do you have any pictures of yours or any advice? Thanks
@Monkey I've just received my headlining from headliner world, I'm curious how you redo the sun visors. Especially the hinge bit. Do you have any pictures of yours or any advice? Thanks
I've recently fitted one of these headliner world headlining and I pondered the same question.
I haven't done mine yet, and tbh not sure if I will bother. But if I were to do it I would cut the two sides to shape. Slightly oversize and sew them together along all but the top edge to create a bag. Then hand stitch the top edge, leaving the cut outs for the hinge and hook. Obviously any opening will need to be hemmed. Perhaps take to an upholsterer.
I can't imagine any attempt to just spray glue and cover would work very well.
There is a place called one up upholstery, I was going to ask them to do it as they have done them before and look very good.
I'm nowhere near skilled enough to do it myself!!
I’ve also fitted a reproduced headlining from headliner world, based on good feedback on this forum. Really pleased - it fits well, looks very close to original and appears to be well made.
Curious how people tackled the sunroof aperture though? (A small line is already cut out of the fabric, but you need to cut the rest yourself.) I’m sure it’s not difficult but you only get one shot!
Is it a case of cutting it almost to size, but leaving a 1/2 cm of additional material to tuck into the sunroof seal? And cutting in at each corner at 45 degrees?