Cleaning the Headliner

S

Shelpster66

New member
I have read a few posts from a search and really didn't find a definitive answer...so here goes.



I have an older toyota (I'm thinking a 96) corolla coming up that was smoked in and she wants an interior detail to get rid of the smoke smell (she quit smoking). This would include the headliner.

My question is; What would be a good process to clean the headliner without the use of a steam cleaner? I have a LGSM that I am using on the rest of the car which should work fine, but for the headliner I think it would be too much and ruin it.

Maybe some oxy -type cleaner and a damp MF towel?



I'd really appreciate any help you guys could give.

Thanks

Mike
 
I used woolite diluted 8:1 in a spray bottle, aggitated with a brush and then used a shop vac to vacuum it on a 7 series, guy smoked cigars and there was some browning on his side of the headliner, stuff came right out.
 
Be careful - most headliners are glued with water based glue that breaks down over time when you use alot of water. I always wiped them down with a damp towel and that was it. There usually pretty easy to clean and the dirt is mostly light and not ground in. The worst thing to do is spray one down with cleaner, scrub it and roll the windows up on a hot day. Recipe for disaster.
 
I also use Woolite at 8:1 and a damp MF towel only. As stated about, this dirt is not ground in and usually cleans up with light agitation of a damp MF (not scrubbing).



For the smoke odor you might need an ozone machine though.
 
thanks for the responses guys.........I don't want to ruin it as I know headliners are tricky and can be ruined very quickly if oversaturated. I've cleaned them before, but only used a damp cloth with diluted APC and never had any issues.....I was just wondering if that would be enough to conquer the nicotene that has built up. Probably not.......but unfortunately I don't have access to a nice steamer.



I will give the woolite a try....thanks again.!!!
 
Two things are going on with this car...cleaning the headliner and getting the smoke smell out...to clean a HL...use a APC mixed with water...mines a 10/1 water to APC...spray that on a white clean folded cotton towel or MF then wipe down the HL...most all liners have surface dirt and that's easy to remove...I yet to have any HL that I haven't been able to get clean this way and not jeapordize the headliners glue.



For the oder you can get a oder bomb online...much cheaper than renting an OZ machine....have a look at the sponsors of this site I'm sure that they have one
 
Personally, I would not recommend using either a product or process that would allow the headliner to become either wet or damp. Especially, on a car that is over ten years old. Actually, it may be more cost effective to suggest having a new headliner installed.
 
Franks advice is very good. You need to weigh the pros and cons on older cars.



Ron and I did a Porsche interior detail yesterday afternoon where the previous owner smoked. The headliner was misted with XO Cleaner and then vapor steamed with a MF towel wrapped around the triangular head. You could see the nicotene residue come off on the towel.....nasty!



But the smell is not only in the headliner but also carpets, leather, vinyl and also travels through the ventilation system.



So the pollen filter should be removed and replaced with a new one and we also replaced the mats. Carpets were sprayed with XO, steamed as well as the seats, doors, console, steering wheel and dash (this was done while running the Porsche's circulation) and then it was given a smoke treatment on all carpeted areas plus the headliner. Car was then closed up and allowed to sit. I'm confident that by Monday it will be smelling great.......I hope:rofl



Anthony
 
Be VERY careful......my headliner is 80% hanging down after my try at cleaning it. I was careful, used a spray bottle cleaning solution and sprayed lightly. Darn glue still came undone.
 
Sorry to hear that. You should never spray the headliner directly but rather spray the towel then clean the headliner.



Anthony
 
Hey guys, very informative post. But, can someone please help a noob out? What is APC? I tried doing a google search and it wasn't very fruitful.
 
NeoE60 said:
Hey guys, very informative post. But, can someone please help a noob out? What is APC? I tried doing a google search and it wasn't very fruitful.
Click to expand...



All Purpose Cleaner .....as I understand it.:xyxthumbs
 
I'd be sorta leery of using an APC (yeah, All Purpose Cleaner) on a headliner as most APCs require a fair bit of rinsing.



And I'd consider a foaming spray-head for the stuff's bottle unless you're gonna just spray it on a towel and rub with that.



I forget who it was (David Fermani, perhaps...on another thread) but a "dry foam" approach is often suggested for headliners.
 
Even after removing the browning on the head liner,and a full interior detail. The smoke smell will still be in the car. It gets in everything,seat cushions,vents,carpet etc.The only way to completely remove the smell is with an Ozone Generator.

If you are able to get the headliner clean, that will help some.
 
A citrus based foaming cleaner is probably the simplest most effective and least risk way of cleaning the nicotine film off a headliner. Don't use anything mixed with water (APC or anything else for that matter) you need to keep it dry as possible. Take the foaming cleaning and do the headliner in sections. Spray it on as directed and then take a MF towel and gently wipe it off. The citrus will eat right through any tough grime and nicotine like a knife through hot butter.
 
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