A truck headliner can get worn out, damaged, or dirty very easily.  You will then need to replace the headliner.  While you can try to clean it or repair it with an adhesive, it will not turn out to look like you want it to in the end.  Taking the time to replace it is always the better thing to do.  When you do this on your own, you can save a lot of money replacing your truck headliner.

Things Needed:

• both flat head and phillips screwdrivers
• a putty knife
• a tool to pry with

First: Old Liner

You will need to take out the old truck headliner before you can put in a new one.  Make sure that you take your time and be very careful when doing this part.  The first thing to do is to take out the trim that goes around the headliner.  Then, you will remove the piece around the dome light.

To begin taking off the trim, you will need to take out all the screws if it has them.  If not, then you will pry it away from the adhesive.  If yours is attached with adhesive, make sure that you take your time and use tools tht are small enough they won’t damage or bend your trim.  This is a great place to use a flat head at.  Have patience.  This part is going to literally move just inch by inch.

After you have the trim off, you can then remove the headliner.  Start on one side of the vehicle and work inward.  Slowly loosen it, and when you get to the middle you will remove the piece inside the dome light area.  This will be the last part that is holding the headliner in.

Second: Preparation

After you have the old headliner removed, you will be able to take the fabric off of it.  This is the only part that will actually need to be replaced.  Pull the fabric off little by little until you have as much as possible off.  This part doesn’t require any special tools or skills to do.  Try not to damage or break the composition board in any way.  If you do, there is the option of purchasing a new one.

Third: New Fabric

This is where you will choose the new fabric for your truck headliner.  You can either take it to an upholsterer and have them apply the new fabric for the headliner, or you can do this on your own.  You will need to purchase the fabric from an upholsterer either way because these are made from a very specific material.  The fabric is backed with foam.  This means that there is a special type of adhesive that you will have to use when you attach it as well.  It is particularly designed so that it will bond to both the composition board and the foam.  Take your time and work slowly so that you can make sure that the fabric will be completely flat and even.

Fourth: Replace

After you have made sure that the fabric is completely smooth and you have let the adhesive dry, it will be time to put the truck headliner back in the truck.  This will be done just the opposite of how it came off.  Attach it at the center where the dome light is first.  Then, you will make sure that all the edges get snugly fitted into place.  Last, you will replace the trim that you took off.