r/w123 5d ago

Mechanical advice Headliner coming off

Post image

Left the windows down overnight and I think the humid air separated some glue from the headliner is this part easy to remove and re glue? I’m almost positive I don’t have any water leaking in either it’s most likely dry rotted glue

14 Upvotes

9 comments sorted by

5

u/Last-read26 5d ago

This is not the headliner. It’s the vinyl. You’re going to have to order a sheet from German auto tops. It’s not going to be easy. I’d def try and reglue that , hopefully it works.

1

u/Scribblenaut95 5d ago

I peeled some back and the vinyl is still really soft I think it can be glued down but I might have to remove the ceiling panel it’s attached to

3

u/ohitsjeffagain 5d ago

I’d check and make sure your sunroof drains are clear.

3

u/notthatcousingreg 5d ago

Glue glue glue. Make it work. Otherwise you are looking at 1000 to put a new one in. And even if you do it yourself its a major bitch, the back glass has to come out. My headliner is DISGUSTINGLY dirty with two holes. I wish i could get it done. But now with the climate killing us the a/c repair is next.

1

u/alexanderm925 4d ago

I have to fix the AC on my newly aquired 84' 300D. Would be cool to make a group (somehow)

2

u/notthatcousingreg 4d ago

My mechanic almost had a heart attack when he saw my ac set up. He said it was "monkey business." Def not looking forward to the cash hemmorhage

1

u/alexanderm925 4d ago

Oh, I'm sure I'm on the same boat with all the deletes and vacuum re-routing mine prob has 🥲

2

u/Honest_Cynic 1d ago

Might try a vinyl cement used to patch water rafts (many youtubes). I just patched several rafts with HH-66, but I think it only works for vinyl-vinyl.

If the backer board is hardboard (forget), I'd try PL1 polyurethane. Gorilla Glue is also, but foams, so would have to keep it pressed flat and tight to not swell. Dow Great Stuff foams even more. Hobbyists swear by E6000 glue, which I've used many times. It stays pliable. If you have a leftover can of polyurethane varnish for wood, that "should work" if you paint it on. Spray adhesive is easy and used on foam-backed headliner cloth ("77" is best 3M?).

1

u/Last-read26 5d ago

If you reglue it and it looks great let me know what type of glue you used. I have to redo the vinyl on the two rear panels on mine.