What’s the best way to make them taut again? By “best way”, I mean “cheapest”. I tried thumbtacks, but there isn’t enough whatever to hold the tacks in, so I would get pelted by rogue tacks as I drove. I tried pulling it taut, and tucking the excess into the moulding, but it would just work it’s way back out within a week.
It doesn’t need to be pretty, it just needs to be effective and out of my line of vision.
Any suggestions will be welcome, and some may even be attempted.
Thanks
If you can pull the liner away from the backing, try some spray adhesive.
A spray adhesive would work, but it might melt the foam underneath the liner.
What about using double-sided tape designed for attaching auto-body parts? You can get it at Walmart, or a store like it.
What about tucking it under the molding, then using a generous amount of glue under the molding as well. Possibly hot glue, or even a caulk of some sort.
Use Scotch 77 spray adhesive. Spray a nice even coat on both surfaces, let sit till tack free and carefully stick the headliner to the roof. You only get one try, take your time. Scotch 77 will not melt the foam backing on the roof, in fact, that is probably what is holding it on. Double back tape will not work, the first hot day and your headliner be drooping again. Drooping headliners have been a problem since auto manufacturers quit using metal hoops to hold them up.
Can you drill some small holes without going through the roof and use these ?
I doubt it. It seems like there is only the sheet metal and a thin coating of the foam above the liner. That would likely stick almost all the way out.
So far, donkeyoatey’s Scotch 77 or Joey P’s tuck and glue (sounds profane…) solution seem like the most likely solution.
If it feels as if the outer layer of fabric has come loose from what’s usually a fiberboard-sort of backer, have a look at upholstery screws, available at most fabric shops. These things are spiral open-core “screws” about a half inch long with roughly 3/8" plastic heads.
I used an opened up stapler to tack my old chevy headliner on and it stays, I’ve tried the glue but it just makes a mess of things.
You might just rip it off and use some sealer to keep the foam in place.
I’ve used the upholstery screw method and it works well.
Pushing a flexible piece of something (like panelling) across the top of the car from window to window works too.
Of the two, the panelling method will make more points with the chicks!
I’ve used upholstery adhesive and it didn’t stay.
I even removed the one in my S10 and tried it that way.
The upholstery screws work just fine.
They have held the head liner in my old Dodge for a couple of years.
Indecisive-maybe you could glue mirror tile on that paneling.:D. That would really impress the chicks
or someone;)
ha ha ha!
love the idea. I’d go with small pieces of mirrors, then get my flashlight out and make my own ‘strobe effect’
I had this problem on an old station wagon I owned years ago and went to the lumberyard/home center and bought lengths of window screen trim (I’m not sure if that’s the correct name). It’s long strips of wood about 1/4 inch thick by 1/2 in. wide with the top edges rounded over and is used to hide the staples after putting up screen.
I cut each piece several inches longer than the width of the ceiling side-to-side and wedged the ends into the joint between the head liner and plastic trim. I used several and spaced them about a foot or more apart front to back. Cut the first one a little long and test fit until it’s the way you like it. They worked very good. They probably have it in plastic as well.
I tried a spray adhesive but it didn’t work because under the liner was a thin layer of ground foam instead of a solid surface and I didn’t feel like scraping all that off.
What about heavy duty staples from a stape gun?
If the Simpsons has taught me anything, it’s that staples fixes everything. Staples and firecrackers. 
It is falling because the foam backing is deteriorating.
Rip it apart and scrape off the foam and get new headliner material at the fabric shop then spray glue.
Dosen’t have to be pretty…just functional?
Use a whole mess of thumbtacks.
My brother tried various ‘appropriate’ spray glues and they only worked for a few months (after i’d paid him for the car).
I got frustrated one day and attacked it with a regular stapler.
Took about three-quarters of a string (a string to me is 5’’ worth) to do it and was very satisfying. Thunk thunk thunk over and over.
Worked well until the car itself died a year later.
Ugly as all get out, though.
Status update:
I have to admit, I didn’t think the staple gun solution would work. I thought I would pierce the roof. Anyway, since I have a staple gun anyway, and it would involve zero additional expense on my part, I tried it.
Well fill me ears with jelly and tie me to an anthill, it worked! I used 5/16" staples, and the liner held.
Thanks, everyone.
By the way, Mynn, what flavor car was it that died a year after being stapled? Just wondering if I should budget for car shopping anytime soon. I don’t think I’ll hold you personally responsible for it if my car were to die in the next six months, especially since you weren’t the first to suggest it, but I plan on taking Homer Simpson’s attitude that “It’s everyone else’s fault but mine.”