Why are Disco headliners such a problem?
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Loveland, Colorado (Heaven)
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RE: Why are Disco headliners such a problem?
ORIGINAL: Chrisinhouston
I guess my only point is that I've owned a lot of different cars and have only had to redo the headliner on 1 or 2 and they were pretty old, and I think the heat in Texas ads to the dilema. I'm surprised that my 2003 is already sagging in spots.
It does bring back a memory though, my dad had a car when I was a kid that had the headliner come loose and he fixed it with a staple gun! It held for a couple more years after that but it looked like hell!
I guess my only point is that I've owned a lot of different cars and have only had to redo the headliner on 1 or 2 and they were pretty old, and I think the heat in Texas ads to the dilema. I'm surprised that my 2003 is already sagging in spots.
It does bring back a memory though, my dad had a car when I was a kid that had the headliner come loose and he fixed it with a staple gun! It held for a couple more years after that but it looked like hell!
#12
I had an issue with my 2004 Disco 2 (137k miles) where the headliner fabric came disconnected from the foam underneath in the area around the front moonroof trim. While the fabric has always sagged in many spots (since I bought the vehicle a few months ago) this is particularly bad because you can now see the foam underneath and stick your hand in between the foam and fabric.
I got some 3M 38808 spray headliner adhesive (about $17 at Autozone). I carefully sprayed the area between the sagging fabric and the foam. You want to put a cover on the seat underneath just in case you get some overspray or drips. I let the adhesive cure for about 10 min then using a small 4" paint roller, rolled the fabric tight to the foam. It stuck pretty quite well. All I had to do after that was tuck the ends of the fabric back under the rubber moonroof trim and I was done. Fabric still sags in many areas of the headliner but it looks much better and there is no more exposed foam backing. Hopefully this fix will last.
I got some 3M 38808 spray headliner adhesive (about $17 at Autozone). I carefully sprayed the area between the sagging fabric and the foam. You want to put a cover on the seat underneath just in case you get some overspray or drips. I let the adhesive cure for about 10 min then using a small 4" paint roller, rolled the fabric tight to the foam. It stuck pretty quite well. All I had to do after that was tuck the ends of the fabric back under the rubber moonroof trim and I was done. Fabric still sags in many areas of the headliner but it looks much better and there is no more exposed foam backing. Hopefully this fix will last.
#13
Why are Disco headliners such a problem?
They aren't!
Usually it is the previous owners not fixing the sunroof or other leaks or the roof overheating due to the solar gain heat, whatever.
Whether just painting or totally recovering, it will require the headliner removal and cleaning all the foam and adhesive off first.
They aren't!
Usually it is the previous owners not fixing the sunroof or other leaks or the roof overheating due to the solar gain heat, whatever.
Whether just painting or totally recovering, it will require the headliner removal and cleaning all the foam and adhesive off first.
#14
#15
Why are Disco headliners such a problem?
They aren't!
Usually it is the previous owners not fixing the sunroof or other leaks or the roof overheating due to the solar gain heat, whatever.
Whether just painting or totally recovering, it will require the headliner removal and cleaning all the foam and adhesive off first.
They aren't!
Usually it is the previous owners not fixing the sunroof or other leaks or the roof overheating due to the solar gain heat, whatever.
Whether just painting or totally recovering, it will require the headliner removal and cleaning all the foam and adhesive off first.
I painted mine several years ago. I stripped the fiberglass shell with denatured alcohol and primed it with Kilz. I then applied two coats of a good exterior latex from The Home Depot, mixed to match Bahama Beige. The pebbled finish of the fiberglass shell is perfect. Years later I still smile when I look at it and, IT WILL NEVER, EVER AGAIN SAG!
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shanechevelle (12-22-2018)
#16
I had an issue with my 2004 Disco 2 (137k miles) where the headliner fabric came disconnected from the foam underneath in the area around the front moonroof trim. While the fabric has always sagged in many spots (since I bought the vehicle a few months ago) this is particularly bad because you can now see the foam underneath and stick your hand in between the foam and fabric.
I got some 3M 38808 spray headliner adhesive (about $17 at Autozone). I carefully sprayed the area between the sagging fabric and the foam. You want to put a cover on the seat underneath just in case you get some overspray or drips. I let the adhesive cure for about 10 min then using a small 4" paint roller, rolled the fabric tight to the foam. It stuck pretty quite well. All I had to do after that was tuck the ends of the fabric back under the rubber moonroof trim and I was done. Fabric still sags in many areas of the headliner but it looks much better and there is no more exposed foam backing. Hopefully this fix will last.
I got some 3M 38808 spray headliner adhesive (about $17 at Autozone). I carefully sprayed the area between the sagging fabric and the foam. You want to put a cover on the seat underneath just in case you get some overspray or drips. I let the adhesive cure for about 10 min then using a small 4" paint roller, rolled the fabric tight to the foam. It stuck pretty quite well. All I had to do after that was tuck the ends of the fabric back under the rubber moonroof trim and I was done. Fabric still sags in many areas of the headliner but it looks much better and there is no more exposed foam backing. Hopefully this fix will last.
#17
No, I must disagree about the cause. Over time the open-cell foam between the fabric and the fiberglass shell breaks down with age. It's not the adhesive, and a water infiltration is a secondary cause at most.
I painted mine several years ago. I stripped the fiberglass shell with denatured alcohol and primed it with Kilz. I then applied two coats of a good exterior latex from The Home Depot, mixed to match Bahama Beige. The pebbled finish of the fiberglass shell is perfect. Years later I still smile when I look at it and, IT WILL NEVER, EVER AGAIN SAG!
I painted mine several years ago. I stripped the fiberglass shell with denatured alcohol and primed it with Kilz. I then applied two coats of a good exterior latex from The Home Depot, mixed to match Bahama Beige. The pebbled finish of the fiberglass shell is perfect. Years later I still smile when I look at it and, IT WILL NEVER, EVER AGAIN SAG!
PS: I can never figure why both a sunroof and AC is needed in any D2. In my newish D4 (LR4) I asked for the sunroofs to be omitted as they are the same type and a constant source of trouble.
#18
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oregon, north of Salem
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headliner fault
I have a 2003 and the headliner is already starting to pull away. Seems like over half of the used ones I looked at had some kind of pull away, usually in the corners.
My car came without the moon roofs and the sagging is coming there first.
My only question is why does LR keep using adhesive that obviously does not hold? Is it the same stuff they used to seal the cylinder head gaskets?
My car came without the moon roofs and the sagging is coming there first.
My only question is why does LR keep using adhesive that obviously does not hold? Is it the same stuff they used to seal the cylinder head gaskets?
________________________
" . . . stuff they used to seal the cylinder head gaskets?" Head gaskets seal by equalized pressure against gasket, with NO sealant. I know some use sealant, but not needed.
LR uses crappy headliner sealant, and crappy upper dash hold down sealant, as on my Classic RR and my Discovery II, no doubt trying to save money.
#19
#20
I agree with you. I plan on keeping the LRDII long term and have no more intentions to drive around with saggy headliner. It just keeps failing not matter what you use. And going though the replacement hassle every 30-50k just to have fabric on your roof is a hassle. IMO not worth it. Painting this soon and will be glad to be done with it.