can you clean the roof upholstery

**imported_bored7one4** · 11-24-2008, 12:41 PM

My friends smoke in his car and the roof is all black. I was wondering if there any product out there that would be safe on the glue. I dont want the fabric to start falling apart.

thanks

**Less** · 11-24-2008, 12:52 PM

Check out this link and scroll down to #11

Top 11 Car Detailing Secrets - AOL Autos

I would leave the headliner alone as much as possible. If it`s really that bad, you should just look into getting it replaced and quit smoking in the car.

If you insist on trying it, follow the advice in the link and make sure you don`t do anything to comprimise the glue. use minimal scrubbing, and very little moisture

**Garry Dean** · 11-24-2008, 01:36 PM

+ 1 for leaving the headliner alone!

**imported_bored7one4** · 11-24-2008, 02:02 PM

ok thanks.

**Robb** · 11-24-2008, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Premium

+ 1 for leaving the headliner alone!

agreed, the glue they use and the fabric is very delicate

**imported_Sludge** · 11-24-2008, 02:07 PM

Check out this post by white95max. He did a great job with Woolite & water.

It is at the bottom of the page.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-b...new-car-3.html

**Bigpoppa3346** · 11-24-2008, 02:21 PM

Well, if it`s between a new headliner or attempting to clean it and if that doesn`t work getting a new headliner, I (as well as anyone else with a brain) would try cleaning it first. I *have* removed smoke stains before from a customer`s headliner, no damage at all.

Get a white cotton towel decently wet with Woolite (not soaked, but nice and moist)

Scrub a 2x2 section of the headliner with it. You will see the towel start to turn brown on the side you are scrubbing from the smoke film.

Flip towel, repeat until no more brown comes off on the towel.

Repeat for entire interior.

I`ve used this technique with very nice results.

**MCWD** · 11-24-2008, 11:13 PM

I use a vapor steamer and I am very happy, but it is a very costly piece of equipment.

**Joel_MD** · 11-25-2008, 03:59 AM

Years ago I bought a used 1996 Chevy pickup. The previous owner apparently smoked in it, and the headliner was disgusting. I rented a Rug Doctor and made two passes over the headliner with the upholstery tool; first with a regular mixture of detergent in the solution tank and the second with hot water only. It pulled a lot of brown stuff out (the water in the recovery tank smelled like an ash tray!) and I was very happy with the results. I owned the vehicle for five years and never had a problem with the headliner sagging or anything.