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A sagging headliner can turn your vehicle into an aesthetic nightmare. It looks bad, feels bad, and can turn an otherwise nice car into something that feels a little ragged. And it’s, unfortunately, a common occurrence in modern cars. Lucky for you, there’s an easy way to fix it right up with some headliner adhesives. Here are the best ones that we could find.
Summary List of Headliner Adhesives
- Best Overall: 3M Headliner and Fabric Adhesive
- Best Value: Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive
- Best Heavy Duty: Permatex Body Shop Heavy Duty Headliner Adhesive
- Best All-Purpose: Loctite General Performance 100 Spray Adhesive
- Honorable Mention: Polymat 797 Hi-Temp Spray Adhesive
Our Methodology for Selecting Headliner Adhesives
We scoured the most popular online shopping websites to compile a list of the best products we could find, regardless of price, brand, or website. Since professionals are generally the folks that handle repairing headliners, we made sure to look for their input and try to mimic the products they use so you can get the same results.
For more on how we came up with our lists of products, read more about our methodology here.
Best Headliner Adhesive Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
3M Headliner and Fabric Adhesive
Best Value
Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive
Best Heavy Duty
Permatex Body Shop Heavy Duty Headliner Adhesive
Best All-Purpose
Loctite General Performance 100 Spray Adhesive
Honorable Mention
Polymat 797 Hi Temp Spray Adhesive
Our Headliner Adhesive Verdict
The one to get is the 3M Headliner and Fabric adhesive. It offers the best blend of price, quality, and longevity that will make sure your headliner repair is done in one attempt. It does require a few extra steps to do the repair right but will last much longer for it.
FAQs
Q: How can I dissolve or remove the old adhesive on my headliner?
A: Removing old adhesive can be a lengthy and often frustrating process. Once you have the headliner off the vehicle, we recommend using a clothing steam cleaner to separate the layers. This same process can be done within the vehicle, but you should take extra care to avoid areas where you don’t want to remove the adhesive.
Q: How long should I let the headliner adhesive set before I drive/use my car?
A: Read the instructions on the product as the manufacturer will typically include directions on set times. However, you should allow at least a day of warm temperatures to give the adhesive enough time to bond properly.
Q: Do headliner adhesives smell?
A: Most headliner adhesives are low in odor, but look for the low VOC content products if this is a characteristic you’re concerned about. If the odor is something you know will affect you, consider wearing a mask during application.
Q: Where can I take my vehicle to have the headliner professionally replaced?
A: Most professional body shops should have the ability to replace headliners. Each will have their own price and repair times. Though we encourage you to try repairing your own headliner before choosing the professional route, we understand it can be a large job for someone with little experience.
Q: Where can I find replacement headliners or order custom headliners?
A: If your vehicle is relatively new, your local dealership should be able to order and install a replacement headliner. Search custom upholstery shops in your area as well to see if they replace headliners.