[67drake]

I did a search in this section,and interiors,and surprisingly only found 1 thread on cleaning a headliner. Someone recommended Blue Coral interior cleaner in that thread. I can’t find that locally, and would like to get this done before a long distance cruise-in this coming weekend, so ordering is out. I would think regular cleaners and a brush would kind of grind the dirt into the liner.
So anyone had any success with any other cleaners or techniques?
Thanks!

[RocktimusPryme]

Not to hok my own stuff but I actually just made a video testing a few different cleaners out on my own moldy white headliner. Timing and all that. These were suggestions from the HAMB that I decided to make a video about.

https://youtu.be/dm1PsAiU7Hg?si=G4h-_q2diIi6YX8S

If you just want the meat and potatoes, all of these worked but the Starbrite boat vinyl cleaner had the edge I think. Also a Magic Eraser sponge is key. The shaving cream worked shockingly well but is a bit of a bear to spread over large areas, and I think it’s more dependent on using hot water.

Afterwards I went over it with a more traditional auto vinyl restorer to hopefully put some life back into it. I’ve read lots of people say that there is no such thing as adding moisture into dried out vinyl, but I’m not changing it so may as well try.

[ID67goat]

Have had good luck with the Magic Erasers….does a very good job of removing dirt from the grain of the material and is not messy.

[Stuart]

I successfully cleaned the vinyl headliner in my Bonneville with Simple Green and a soft nail brush. I sprayed the cleaner on a small area, scrubbed gently, wiped clean with a towel, then moved to another area. Whatever cleaner you use be careful about applying pressure, the thread in the seams is fragile from age and can rip easily.

[steve25]

If you have a case of smoking residue , forget about cleaning it and just replace it.

[Keith Seymore]

I have never tried it but my first thought was Westley's Bleche White.

K

[67drake]

Thanks everyone!
I took a little here and there from the replies.
I DID find Blue Coral at a small parts store by my work today. I picked up a whole package of those Magic Erasers, and I bought a soft brush at the parts store made for leather cleaning. It’s similar in stiffness to a shoe shine brush, not to stiff.
I also just by chance picked up some bleach spray for my white floor mats, and that was before I read Keith’s reply.
No smoke smell in my car ever, just 50+ years of dingyness on a white headliner. I also found some spots that looked like mildew on some areas, as well as the back seat.
Gonna try this on my comfort weave while I’m at it.

[RocktimusPryme]

I think you will end up happy with it. The one in my 62 in the video was disgusting and now it looks serviceable. It looks better in person than on camera. For whatever reason the camera picks up streaking from the magic eraser that is hard to see with the naked eye.

[67drake]

Well, an update.
I tried it out last night. First sprayed on some interior cleaner, let it sit a few minutes,then went to wipe off with the magic sponge. It promptly put a 2-3” split in one of the seams. I was not pressing hard at all. That is the one and only rip or tear now in my headliner. I said “No way I’m continuing this”.
Well, it was worth a shot. It’s just too fragile to touch. Unless I can just spray something on and let it be, that’s where I’m going to leave it. I figured if I douse it with bleach spray, and just let it dry it MIGHT help, but I think bleach is pretty harsh if it not wiped off.
My white rubber/vinyl floor mats look great after the bleach spray!

[Stuart]

Rats. That's too bad. The thread does get very fragile after all these years.

[b-man]

Well at least now you’ll end up with a nice clean headliner…..a new one.

[turbo69bird]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I have never tried it but my first thought was Westley's Bleche White.

K

Unfortunately the EPA ruined this one like they ruin just about everything else.

[67drake]

Originally Posted by b-man

Well at least now you’ll end up with a nice clean headliner…..a new one.

Maybe someday. I like to keep it original when possible. New things look too out of place on my rust bucket.

[PDC]

FWIW - I have always had good luck with Griot’s Interior Cleaner. No dye, no fragrance, no heavy sudsing or foaming action. But there is something in it that loosens and lifts away old grime from light colored leather and vinyl. I used it on my folks car with pale tan interior with a soft brush and wiped it away with a MF towel and could not believe the amount of gray muck that came out.

As far as replacing interior parts that really have seen their best days, sometimes that does become the only option in a car that has been and will be driven. At least sources like PUI and Legendary provide some decent options. I swapped the upper panels in my 73 and was surprised how much that alone freshened up the look of the interior.

[HWYSTR455]

I'm a strong proponent of the Blue Coral cleaner, and have used it on a white interior for years. Spray it on, scrub it a little, let it dry, and wipe it off. Works great, very little effort, and safe.

All the auto parts chains carry it, as well as some hardware and boating/RV supply places.

Amazon can usually get it to you in 1-3 days.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Coral-DC...3404934&sr=8-2

.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by 67drake

Well, an update.
I tried it out last night. First sprayed on some interior cleaner, let it sit a few minutes,then went to wipe off with the magic sponge. It promptly put a 2-3” split in one of the seams. ...

I totally get wanting to keep original parts;
If the headliner looks otherwise good, is it maybe possible to pull it out, and re-sew the seams?

I would think that it should be possible.

I know that not many people these days have a sewing machine, but it may be a viable option - then while it's out you could hand clean it without putting stress in the seams - new or old.

Maybe you could leave the rods in while re-sewing the seams(?).

[HWYSTR455]

It's pointless to try to save a 50 year old headliner, period.

.

[67drake]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I totally get wanting to keep original parts;
If the headliner looks otherwise good, is it maybe possible to pull it out, and re-sew the seams?

I would think that it should be possible.

I know that not many people these days have a sewing machine, but it may be a viable option - then while it's out you could hand clean it without putting stress in the seams - new or old.

Maybe you could leave the rods in while re-sewing the seams(?).

Thanks, but if I was going to go to that length, I’d just replace it altogether. It’s in perfect shape, just dingy. Plus when I bought my car in ‘07 it smelled like an “old car”. When I pulled it out of the polebarn after pretty much a five year nap, it smelled mildew-ish. I figured cleaning the headliner would help the smell. Maybe I’ll fire up the ozone machine I use at my rentals, and be done with it.
I much more enjoy wrenching than cleaning.

I forgot, I did use this cleaning method on my white (or is it called pearl?) interior, and the seats look and smell a lot better.

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

It's pointless to try to save a 50 year old headliner, period.

.

Depends on what you mean. If we are talking about taking it down and trying to re-sew and save the old material. I agree. Trying to clean in place so you can spend the budget elsewhere I think is worthwhile.


I got mine from old and mildewy to now its just old

Im satisfied with that result and can spend money elsewhere.

[67drake]

This was the worst spot, and where I started. That seam on the left of the pic is what split. I obviously took this before I started as I was going to do before and after pics.