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cleaning headliner

john112deere

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
405
central Vermont
Thanks to a lousy dealership (don't ask) I've got a greasy spot on the headliner of my brand-new Ranger, right over the driver's head.

I'm gonna go raise a ruckus down there this week...but none of their employees will be touching my truck.

Anybody had any experience cleaning a dark greasy stain off a light gray headliner? I've never tried to clean one, but the "mouse-fur" fabric they're covered with tends to come apart when you try to clean it, and I think that looks worse than the grease.
 
Skandocious

Skandocious

Post Whores Make Me Sick
19,076
655
California
I'd demand a new headliner. If they insist on cleaning it then tell them "fine but I'm not leaving here unless I have a spotless headliner-- whether you have to replace it or not."

I have a feeling you won't be able to fully clean it out.
 

F150

easy
512
10
upstate NY
Take the least intrusive route, and work with very little pressure. I'd try a mild detergent and blot with a damp sponge or rag, then go to a degreaser type of soap with a soft bristle tooth brush, working your way up to and angle grinder with a cut off wheel.............smiliepeelout
 
CaFordDude

CaFordDude

Charter Member
7,748
464
Cali
I'm with Chris make them make it right. If they won't or can't then I would try some woolite laundry soap. It's made for delicates (keep the jokes to yourselves jerks!). Maybe a little spray and wash dabbed on first and left to "soak" for a few minutes.
 
polarbear

polarbear

just growing older not up
12,878
607
Boring, Oregon
Skandocious said:
I'd demand a new headliner. If they insist on cleaning it then tell them "fine but I'm not leaving here unless I have a spotless headliner-- whether you have to replace it or not."

I have a feeling you won't be able to fully clean it out.
Click to expand...

And hope to hell they install it correctly... and have the truck out for one or two days.

Window cleaner and a towel Ian.
 
john112deere

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
405
central Vermont
Skandocious said:
I'd demand a new headliner. If they insist on cleaning it then tell them "fine but I'm not leaving here unless I have a spotless headliner-- whether you have to replace it or not."
Click to expand...

I'm not letting these hamfisted [censored] touch my truck.
 
Bricks

Bricks

2,285
193
Los Angeles
I've had bad experiences trying to clean headliners...never been able to get a spot out entirely, and I've had the glue deteriorate also which caused the headliner to sag.

I'd be afraid to try it, and have them tell me I owned it afterward because I messed with it. Count me in on the "let them do it" side.
 
CaFordDude

CaFordDude

Charter Member
7,748
464
Cali
Don't be so rigid Ian. Could have been one stupid tech or prep guy and the rest are good to go. If your not going to let them do anything then why even bother going in. Just handle it yourself and save the aggravation.
 
john112deere

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
405
central Vermont
I'm not going to get into it here, Aaron...but suffice it to say my decision is not based solely (or even mostly) on this stain.
 
polarbear

polarbear

just growing older not up
12,878
607
Boring, Oregon
john112deere said:
I'm not going to get into it here, Aaron...but suffice it to say my decision is not based solely (or even mostly) on this stain.
Click to expand...

I use Sprayway window cleaner I get at Costco. Haven't seen a stain it won't get out- headliner, seat... or light beige carpets at home. Great stuff. Oh- it's good on glass too. :)
 

kustomizingkid

211
4
Headliner cleaning is a pain... you don't want to damage the integrity of the materials or damage the adhesive that holds them together...

I would get some Zep high traffic, well suited to an oil stain... lightly mist it with the cleaner, then agitate with a semi stiff brush, blot with a microfiber. Repeat if necessary...
 

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