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Red Beard Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2006 Posts: 463 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:34 pm Post subject: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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I'm looking for a tip on what to use to fix this 'two tone' headliner situation after having removed the AC tunnel. PO was a smoker unfortunately....
So far I've tried typical kitchen-type degreasing cleaners, bleach/water. No significant improvement so far.
Would prefer not to have to replace as it is otherwise in good shape, and paint would be a PIA.
Thanks for any ideas.[/img] |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7915 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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I'd try Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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DenverB Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2012 Posts: 704 Location: Denver, Colorado
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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probably not the most kosher suggestion and some will cringe:
Sprayaway glass cleaner and a microfiber towell (or ten). you'll rub your fingers raw, but that combination will remove the grime from the vinyl and get it closer to the original (nicotene stainless) color. Sprayaway also makes auto interior cleaner, but trust me the glass cleaner is the way to go...
It is alcohol-based, so when you're done I would wipe it well with wet (water) rags then put on a conditioner or vinyl spray (meguiars ultra shine for that fresh-cut coconut smell).
worst case: you can dye the stuff. I would require some taping (okay, lots of taping), but you could find a suitable neutral color of carpet/vinyl dye and go to town. Itll even out the color all around (the stuff covers stains well too) -- something like these three colors may work:
http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/13-Aerosol-Carpet-Dye-Beige.aspx
http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/40-Aerosol-Carpet-Dye-Off-White.aspx
http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/47-Aerosol-Carpet-Dye-White.aspx
that stuff is amazing and I use it (a different color) to dye ABS plastic in Eurovans back to OG color. Even the light colors will cover dark stains on the ABS perfectly...
_________________ -------
'77 Transporter/camper (Bussy - Reef Blue/Pastel White)
'67 bug (Santos - VW Blue)
'84 Vanagon Westfalia (Pink Flamingo - Pastel White/Pink)
'88 Vanagon GL Westfalia (Frankie Says - Wolfram Gray)
'02 Eurovan Weekender (Green Apple)
'95-'03 Eurovan full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'84 -'91 Vanagon full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'72 Porsche 914 (Greta - RIP)
www.RockyMountainCampervans.com |
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Guybrush Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2015 Posts: 453 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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I repainted mine in VHT "vinyl dye" spray (grey). A lot of taping required and plastic protection everywhere (don't leave a single hole, because spray paint will go in there and mist over everything, as it will form a mist inside the van). Good respirator required, and ventilation.
Someone already mentioned magic eraser for cleaning, but you can also try a mixture of water with baking soda, and white vinegar. But be careful to not put drops over everything, it will leave white marks. |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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Meguiars makes a heavy duty vinyl cleaner in a TAN bottle
the maroon bottle stuff is less effective
it that does not work, then maybe a new headliner (or spray paint) is in order |
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chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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DenverB wrote: |
probably not the most kosher suggestion and some will cringe:
Sprayaway glass cleaner and a microfiber towell (or ten). you'll rub your fingers raw, but that combination will remove the grime from the vinyl and get it closer to the original (nicotene stainless) color. Sprayaway also makes auto interior cleaner, but trust me the glass cleaner is the way to go...
It is alcohol-based, so when you're done I would wipe it well with wet (water) rags then put on a conditioner or vinyl spray (meguiars ultra shine for that fresh-cut coconut smell).
worst case: you can dye the stuff. I would require some taping (okay, lots of taping), but you could find a suitable neutral color of carpet/vinyl dye and go to town. Itll even out the color all around (the stuff covers stains well too) -- something like these three colors may work:
http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/13-Aerosol-Carpet-Dye-Beige.aspx
http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/40-Aerosol-Carpet-Dye-Off-White.aspx
http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/47-Aerosol-Carpet-Dye-White.aspx
that stuff is amazing and I use it (a different color) to dye ABS plastic in Eurovans back to OG color. Even the light colors will cover dark stains on the ABS perfectly...
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Impressive work. Does it look as good in person as the photo? I know how hard is to restore faded or sun-yellowed plastic and vinyl. _________________ - Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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Red Beard Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2006 Posts: 463 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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bluebus86 wrote: |
you could take up smoking, the clean section will then darken |
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CdnVWJunkie Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 1110 Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 5:02 am Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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Red Beard wrote: |
I'm looking for a tip on what to use to fix this 'two tone' headliner situation after having removed the AC tunnel. PO was a smoker unfortunately....
So far I've tried typical kitchen-type degreasing cleaners, bleach/water. No significant improvement so far.
Would prefer not to have to replace as it is otherwise in good shape, and paint would be a PIA.
Thanks for any ideas.[/img] |
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I've have had great success cleaning grungy headliners with Spray9. Wear eye and breathing protection. Leave it sit for a while. Then have a bucket of nearly scalding hot water and towel and wipe off the Spray9 and grunge. It's very effective. |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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maybe due to UV one the other part - if so, there is a fix - a new headliner |
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SteveVanB Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008 Posts: 1645 Location: This side of Daytona
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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A friend of mine swears by this stuff called " La's Totally Awesome". He gets it at Family dollar. I just picked up 3 bottles and will be trying it on my headliner this evening. Will report back with results... _________________ 91 CARAT |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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Merian wrote: |
maybe due to UV exposure on the other part - if so, there is a fix - a new headliner |
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chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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bluebus86 wrote: |
you could take up smoking, the clean section will then darken |
You are obvious not an experienced painter or detailer . To even out the shades he need to carefully mask off the yellowed sections. Faster result like 15 years instead of 25 if he chain smoke.
I remember there is a thread that someone repainted the headliner with good result. _________________ - Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
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DenverB Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2012 Posts: 704 Location: Denver, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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Merian wrote: |
maybe due to UV one the other part - if so, there is a fix - a new headliner |
or the vinyl dye suggested above.
All of the discoloration on those panels is from UV damage. _________________ -------
'77 Transporter/camper (Bussy - Reef Blue/Pastel White)
'67 bug (Santos - VW Blue)
'84 Vanagon Westfalia (Pink Flamingo - Pastel White/Pink)
'88 Vanagon GL Westfalia (Frankie Says - Wolfram Gray)
'02 Eurovan Weekender (Green Apple)
'95-'03 Eurovan full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'84 -'91 Vanagon full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'72 Porsche 914 (Greta - RIP)
www.RockyMountainCampervans.com |
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tschroeder0 Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2008 Posts: 2096 Location: Boulder CO
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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i just resprayed my entire headliner in my Adventurewagen front to back.
I used SEM vinyl, plastic paint.
it is about 20$ a can but is the best. it's not that hard to do, obviously make sure you tape/mask everything and open everything up,in the van to get the overspray out quickly. If you're a person who will be bothered by it not being "right" than it will be a really satisfying project for you. They make a lot of colors so finding a very close match should be easy. |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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Zep formula 50, a small nylon scrub brush, and a few turkish towels.
One wet with rinse water, the other to dry.
Allow to soak for a few minutes till the nicotine starts dripping off.
Rinse, & dry.
White, off white can be difficult to get back to the same as the middle section.
If after the Formula 50 it isn't quite white enough, spray some Chlorox on the stained area, brush again, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse again.
This will be the closest of a match you'll get without dying the entire headliner.
SEM works well, but a big pain to paint it all. _________________ T.K. |
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DenverB Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2012 Posts: 704 Location: Denver, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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Terry Kay wrote: |
.
If after the Formula 50 it isn't quite white enough, spray some Chlorox on the stained area, brush again, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse again.
This will be the closest of a match you'll get without dying the entire headliner.
SEM works well, but a big pain to paint it all. |
Seems like taking the same amount of time to throw down a drop cloth and tape up some plastic would pay off in spades when you dye the whole thing back to one solid (albeit not quite stock) colored headliner. The dye dries in five minutes flat, it's a huge, flat (okay, slightly curved) surface.... Dude can do two coats and be done with the painting in a half-hour. _________________ -------
'77 Transporter/camper (Bussy - Reef Blue/Pastel White)
'67 bug (Santos - VW Blue)
'84 Vanagon Westfalia (Pink Flamingo - Pastel White/Pink)
'88 Vanagon GL Westfalia (Frankie Says - Wolfram Gray)
'02 Eurovan Weekender (Green Apple)
'95-'03 Eurovan full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'84 -'91 Vanagon full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'72 Porsche 914 (Greta - RIP)
www.RockyMountainCampervans.com |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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Detailed many semi interiors.
The headliners were always heavy nicotine stained.
Zep worked well , and fast.
The issue with painting the headliner is seeing as you can't possibly prepare the matrial properly prior to painting is it will eventually start rolling off.
Tell me how to sand & prep a vinyl headliner to give the vinyl some tooth.
Sem works very well on hard plastic that you can prep.
Not so with un-prepped vinyl. _________________ T.K. |
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DenverB Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2012 Posts: 704 Location: Denver, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: How to clean discolored headliner? |
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that's why you use vinyl dye, not paint.
I've not prepped one thing of hard abs plastic before dyeing other than an ISO wipedown. No peeling whatsoever. _________________ -------
'77 Transporter/camper (Bussy - Reef Blue/Pastel White)
'67 bug (Santos - VW Blue)
'84 Vanagon Westfalia (Pink Flamingo - Pastel White/Pink)
'88 Vanagon GL Westfalia (Frankie Says - Wolfram Gray)
'02 Eurovan Weekender (Green Apple)
'95-'03 Eurovan full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'84 -'91 Vanagon full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'72 Porsche 914 (Greta - RIP)
www.RockyMountainCampervans.com |
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