Patching a headliner

[kevinj73us]

So I was cleaning out the bus, and while sweeping, I managed to poke a big nasty hole in my headliner.

I searched around and found this thread with a description of a patch technique:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28361

We are pretty short on buses in junkyards around here so I managed to find a good price on a linear yard of replacement perforated vinyl online in what I thought was the right color (more searching lead me to choose off white- I should have ordered brilliant white, but for a patch I'll live with it).

Here are the supplies:

Headliner material
Contact cement
Cup and brush
Needle and thread
Measuring tape
Scissors and Pinking shears
Masking tape didn't make it in the photo.

Measure the tear to see how much patch material you need to cut. Give yourself an inch or two extra.

Cut out the patch material, use pinking shears so that the edges are harder to see (works better when your patch is the same color as your headliner).

I used the needle and thread to tack the tear shut to make working with the patch easier. I also used tape to map out the outline of the patch to help when spreading the contact cement.

Follow the directions on your glue- I spread cement on the patch and on the headliner, keeping inside my tape lines. After that dried for a bit, I offered the patch up, keeping things as smooth as possible. I then taped up the patch to hold it in place overnight.

I know at some point in the future I'll probably replace the headliner, but for a quick, semi-permanent repair, I'm happy with the results.

Hopefully the photos help someone out.

kj
_________________
1973 Station Wagon
m-plate

[jtauxe]

I need to do this to patch holes left behind when the air conditioner unit was removed.

Where did you get the patch material?
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[kevinj73us]

http://www.miamicorp.com/

1 linear yard plus shipping was $30. Compared to $50-$70 for the same yard from other places.

kj
_________________
1973 Station Wagon
m-plate

[Tcash]

Thank you for the post, putting it in Tech Tips.

Is this the material you bought?
http://enduratex.com/index.php/patterns/view/auto_marine_headliner

Thanks again.
Tcash

[kevinj73us]

Thanks! This is the item I ordered:
http://www.miamicorp.com/default.aspx?page=item+detail&itemcode=H1001

kj
_________________
1973 Station Wagon
m-plate

[kevinj73us]

As an update, my patch is still in place. I had a small issue where I missed the contact cement and had to re-glue that spot.

Other than that it's been holding up well for the year since I did the patch.
_________________
1973 Station Wagon
m-plate

[vwwestyman]

This is a good idea to not have a big ugly hole. I've got at least three ugly tears in mine, two of which are from me accidentally bumping it with something. I've been thinking of ways to make it look better but haven't tried anything.

I would suggest doing it slightly different, though. Your idea gave me an idea to refine how to do the ideas I was kicking around, so the combo idea is below.

The only change I'd make is to put your patch on the inside of the headliner. Spread your glue around on the inside of the headliner, and on the patch except where it may show through the tear a little. Press it together as best you can, and then use the masking tape to hold together while the glue cures.

Caveat: I haven't tried this, but need to. I never thought about trying to buy a yard of headliner material. But I think it would work.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing