datlas 

I am happy to try. But what about fibers from the backing board?? Somewhere I read there is fiberglass in there. The Saturn is so old, maybe there is even asbestos? I joke about the asbestos, but am actually serious about the fiberglass. Am I overthinking this??

t2p

yeah - asbestos long gone before the mid 80's ...(hopefully) ...

prob good idea to wear a mask - 'nuisance mask' - something like a N95 or similar if you are working with / near fiberglass insulation and similar

t2p

agree

have one kid in OH near Cincy - another in NY / NYC

two areas night and day

Mojo31

Most likely over thinking it. What are you going to do it there is fiberglass? You can't just paint it with house paint.

There is also probably some type of foam under the fabric which would make painting difficult if there is.

Sounds like it's time for that Miata.

datlas 

Liked

Deal4Fuji

I've heard of cutting some small slits in the fabric and spraying quick drying adhesive spray to the roof. If it doesn't work you're only out $15 and probably 15 minutes

aliasfox

If it's the fabric itself that's falling apart, could you get a bolt of black/grey/beige/whatever color from a fabric store, some double sided tape (or glue), and maybe an industrial stapler? I'm thinking:

1. Take out the headliner that's falling apart, including whatever foam backing that's there
2, Get a piece of cardboard from whatever your last large purchase/delivery was, and cut that cardboard down to the same size as the fiberglass roof panel
3. wrap the cardboard in the fabric that you purchased, using double sided tape/glue on the passenger compartment facing side, and stapling around the edges where you've wrapped the fabric to the other side
4. Install the fabric-wrapped cardboard in the ceiling - I would imagine you'd want to use something like epoxy to make it more secure.

I think this would work reasonably if the headliner area is reasonably flat, or at least doesn't have much in the way of compound curves.

LesterOfPuppets

Uh-oh. There's a new autonomous car in town. Cruise. Hard to see because there's too much chicken grease on my phone but it says "self-driver in training" on it.

LesterOfPuppets

An answer doesn't get any more correct than this.

Mojo31

The Saturn headliner is a fiber based board to which foam back fabric is attached. The fabric is typically glued onto the fiber board. Over time and due to exposure to heat, etc., the foam deteriorates and the glue releases.

To do it right, you need to take the headliner out of the car, remove the old foam/fabric, and glue on new foam/fabric. One thing you might run into is the plastic clips and such holding it all together in the car may be brittle from age. You are likely to break some removing the headliner. If you really want to do this, you might look for a shop that does that type of thing (they are out there). The money you spend getting it done will likely be less that you spend on parts and materials, and will certainly be worth the hassle of doing it yourself. Use the time for more enjoyable activities.

Time to get that Miata.

Mojo31

I get paid for my advice, you know.

Mojo31

When you do that on your car, let us know how it goes! I give it a week, if that.

t2p

you could do a headliner like the one in this car

maybe a dash cover also

aliasfox

I'd try that before I just spray paint the ceiling, at least.

My headliner's still in place at the moment - that said, I drive a VW and park it in Manhattan half the time. I think the likelihood of major mechanical faults (because it's a VW), or major body damage (because it has to traverse Manhattan) might be higher than the car reaching an old-enough age where the interior starts crumbling. But who knows, I might luck out - ask me again in 15 years or so :-D

genejockey 

Saw one of those the other day down in Menlo Park. Maybe we could help train them by driving erratically around them. You know, tailgate them, cut them off then slow way down, make left turns from the right lane in front of them - all the stuff that drives you buggy.

BTW, I don't know for sure what happened, but this weekend I was out front washing my car, and I hear the sound of a car braking suddenly - not a squeal of tires, because cars don't do that anymore. I looked up and there was a Tesla Model 3 about 3 houses down, which seemed to have braked suddenly. There was nothing around it. Nobody on the sidewalk, no other cars, no cyclists, nothing. I wondered if this was the sudden, unexplained braking that I've heard they do sometimes when all the nannies are turned on.

Eric F

Maybe a cat ran across the street. Just guessing...

genejockey 

Do you still give the same recommendation if I'm balding and I don't want to wear a hat?

genejockey 

In that neighborhood, more likely a squirrel. Too many cars, going too fast for cats to survive long.

seedsbelize2

Is there any good reason to paint it even? Even you can't out-thrift me. Glue some magazine pics up there.
Contact paper. Is that still a thing?

seedsbelize2

Into the city and back home before 11. Both ways by bus. A PR.

datlas 

Decoupage? I like that idea!

Mojo31

In your case, I advise this: Amazon.com: Toppik Hair Building Fibers, Dark Brown Hair Fibers, Hair Thickener for Thinning Hair, Hair Care to Create the Appearance of Thicker Hair, 0.42 OZ Bottle : Beauty & Personal Care

seedsbelize2

Tks. I couldn't think of the word

Mojo31

Pin-up girls or bike pron?

Velo Vol 

How many posts do you have at SaturnForums?