Headlining material coming loose

[kylie]

The material that surrounds the rear window and roof is starting to come loose. Question is...are there any little clips behind the panels to unflick? Dont want to pull and break something. I dont need to take the panels right out, just to get the material straightened, re glued and put back. The rear window panel is the worst culprit, the lower section become also quite warped, so I will be getting at that one first. I can get my fingers down the inside by the glass and feels like its made of fibreglass?

Any advise be appreciated.
Kylie
89 Esprit Turbo

[teigan]

sounds like pieces of hardened resin, probably formerly adhesive. try duct taping the edges, and sucking the pieces out the top with a computer hoover. if that isn't enough power, then use the vaccuum pump in your composites workshop. it may or may not solve your problem, but either way you can say it really sucked.

[kylie]

LOL sure, thanks will do

[Autocross7]

Yea... this stuff is not at all any type of material that stands up to Alabama heat and humidity. Mine came down and started 'flaking' last year. I pulled all the old out and replaced it with a flannel material fixed with an interior spray glue sold around here that can take the heat.
It is not too hard to replace if you take your time...

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[kylie]

Hey thanks, actually I think I remember when you did yours. Are the panels easy to remove. What about the rear one, id like to pull the whole thing out and re shape it as well, its formed a sag in the middle - LOL.

[Autocross7]

Mine also has a bit of a wobble on the lower portion just above the map pocket center console. The material is thin black plastic and I would not even begin to know how to re-shape it...

As for removal... if yours is like mine... there are 2 screws in each of the upper door channels on the outside (open the door) that hold the little interior header parts over the doors. Remove these and tug on the bits over the doors.

***The original headliner is not "cut" so you will have to pull the material free on the "roll" that forms the inner edge of the sunroof channel. I actually altered this - putting seperate material over this area and then the header bits over the doors. That way I can unscrew and remove as needed later...

Anyway, once these parts are out, the rear area around the glass is easy. Unbolt your seat belts from the bottom, then (at least on my car) there are two screws behind each seat and then four screws that are up high at the sunroof latch points. Get these out and the rear falls out...

I will undoubtedly be doing this again as I could only find tan, and now this is done... I find off white! I'm sure I'll do better and faster the second time around anyway!

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[kylie]

Thanks matey, knew I count on ya for this one. I shall attack!!

[Autocross7]

Oh bother... you beat me back. I was out for a drive and I realized that the front head liner part must come off first! I remembered it out of order!!!
(Front ->sides -> rear... not sides -> front and rear)

The front part is only one part held in with four screws... head liner material is originally tacked to the upper portion of the body at the sun roof as described before...

Sorry... hope you read this before you start... or figure it out from looking!

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[kylie]

Cool - sorted. Pulled one of the headliner screws out thats manky and rusting so will try and match these up for new SS ones or similar quality. Figured I may have a go at washing the material first but theres a few water mark stains near the sun roof part thats probably permanent, so may take the fabric shopping and see what I can find. Will find some high temp adhesive spray too while I am at it.

[unity1]

Hi K and all, Not posted here for while but this may help you.

www.unity1.co.uk/Lotus/Project/Interior/head.htm

Steve
89 Turbo
www.unity1.co.uk/Lotus

[kylie]

Thank you sooo much Steve, fantastic pics. I am glad you didn't need to sew the front panel and just seemed to mould over that middle section. Pics do tell a thousand words. How many metres of this material did you order, or what would you allow to complete the job for any mistakes.

[unity1]

3m is enough to do the rear panel sides and front visor section with some spare. I believe I ordered 5m as it seemed like a good number with enough to do the whole thing twice if needed.

Steve
89 Turbo
www.unity1.co.uk/Lotus

[kylie]

Steve, when you applied the glue, did you spray it out over the panels first, or use a glue to brush it out?
Also did you lay the material over the bits, or spray on to material and press down over the peices. Sorry to be a pain, might save myself doing it twice thats all.

Logic tells me to use a spray and apply direct to the panels....but ill see

In the mean time I haven't been able to find similar material, so will just order some from SJ in UK. Plus need some odds and ends from them anyway.

Cheers
K

[unity1]

The glue was applied to the panel but only on the rear edge and areas that needed to be 'formed'. This allowed me to attach the material to one end, pull it to remove creases and stick on the other. I did not cover the whole surface of the panel in glue. I guess you could but would imagine it would make the process more difficult.

I've had no sign of sagging, drooping (at least on the car) so it cannt be that bad.

Steve
89 Turbo
www.unity1.co.uk/Lotus