Cleaning headliner?

[Benzadmiral]

Hey, all,

I was cleaning up and leather-treating the rear seats of my 2003 Buick Park Avenue yesterday, and got a shock. The rear portion of my headliner is going gray! Not a distinguished silver, mind you, but a grungy gray. The interior is cream-colored, and the headliner is that velvety-fleecy stuff. Is there any product I can use to clean this without staining, or should I go with a detail shop?

 

[matrass]

for the headliner I would suggest woolite. try woolite as it cleans safely and usually does a nice job. you can mix it 10:1 with water being the 10 parts to 1 part of woolite. spay on the headliner lightly and let it dwell. from there I would take a clean microfiber or towel and blot it clean using a light touch. keep turning the towel to a clean spot when it gets soiled. you can adjust the mis a little stronger if you have a couple of tough spots toe 5 parts water and 1 part woolite. the key to remember is to not soak the heck out of the headliner and try not to be violent with rubbing it , hence the blotting technique. you can also pick up Folex and use the same method and that has worked very well for me but it is a more powerful cleaner and should be used more sparingly.

 

[Doog]

Take it to an auto upholstery shop and get it replaced. It should only cost about $300.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Take it to an auto upholstery shop and get it replaced. It should only cost about $300.

Oh, I'm prepared to do that -- I've done it for several cars in the past. I'm just hoping I could clean it or have it cleaned.

 

[abycat]

Good points guys. I heard the woolite is top notch for med to light stains in an interior. And its very safe as well. I guess if you tried to clean it and fail you can always replace it since you are prepared for it. I second the woolite or a quick call to a pro.

 

[SatinSilver]

Here's some pics of woolite in action cleaning a headliner:

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?p=156176&highlight=headliner#post156176

 

[Benzadmiral]

Never thought about Woolite, but it makes sense, if it's supposed to be for delicate fabrics. The headliner sure seems like a delicate material to look at and touch. Off to the grocery store this weekend, then.

Aside from the dirt, the headliner has survived almost 10 years of use by two (admittedly gentle) owners and still looks great!

 

[Benzadmiral]

Update, all,

I took the car to the DIY car wash yesterday and vacuumed the headliner, which removed about 80% of the grayish dirt. Some spots were still left. So I mixed up the 10% Woolite with distilled water, sprayed it lightly on, and brushed gently with a brand-new microfiber cloth.

"Do you believe in Magic . . .?" Well, I do now. The spots are 99% gone; I'll have another go at it this week, but the headliner looks almost new again.