Can You Paint A Headliner? (Explained)

After a while, it’s normal to get bored with the color of your headliner. Whether it came in black, grey, or tan, you may be interested in switching to something more colorful.

Alternatively, you may want to get another headliner color which will create the illusion of more space in the interior.

Be as it may, a car’s headliner isn’t the most obvious painting candidate since it’s usually made of fabric and foam. So, is it possible to paint the headliner of your vehicle?

Absolutely! Even though they are made using fabric and other materials such as vinyl, car headliners can be painted on. And if you use the right paint and follow the correct painting techniques, you should get an impressive finish.

For a while now, car owners have been painting their headliners. This has become a typical DIY project. With the freedom to choose from a wide range of colors, it doesn’t come as a surprise that everyone would want to give this project a try.

If you’re considering painting your headliner, this article will touch on the products you should use, how to do it, issues that may arise, and everything else you need to know.

can you paint a headliner

Painting a Headliner vs. Getting It Reupholstered

Before we can look deeper into painting the headliner, let us compare it with the next best alternative – getting it reupholstered.

Painting the headliner is more of a quick fix. This is because you only need some fabric paint or dye, and you will be done.

Reupholstering the headliner is an entirely different thing. It involves buying a new headliner for your car. You can get it from an auto store near you. That’s not all.

To reupholster the headliner, you have to remove the old one, which can be tedious. Clean off the residue from the room, and apply the new one using a strong adhesive.

Compared to painting, reupholstering makes more sense if your current headliner is old and worn out. Because you will be replacing it with a new one, it should look flawless and unique.

Painting, on the other hand, there won’t be much change in terms of the final finish. You will only have to change the color. Painting has its perks. However, it’s a quick fix and costs way less than reupholstering.

Another benefit is that painting can give you any color that you desire. With reupholstering, you may be limited to specific colors.

Before embarking on this project, we would advise you to weigh out between these two options and determine which is more appealing to your current situation.

What is the Best Product to Use in Painting the Headliner?

Fabric dye is the answer to all your headliner painting questions. You can’t use ordinary paint on the headliner because it is made of fabric.

When you do so, the finish will be hideous. However, you can look for a quality fabric dye spray. You can get one online or visit various auto stores. This fabric dye contains color pigments that leave a permanent mark on the fabric.

This product can transform the look of your headliner into your color of choice. When shopping for fabric dye, we strongly recommend the spray option. Why? Because it is much easier to use.

There are some safety considerations you need to take note of. Fabric dye is very strong and can leave stubborn stains on the dashboard and seats.

Therefore, ensure every part other than the headliner is covered. When spraying the fabric dye, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.

What’s So Special about Fabric Dye?

The headliner is a very delicate material. If you were painting on the metal roof above it, you could use any paint. However, the presence of fabric or foam calls for a more special type of paint: fabric dye.

When you spray fabric dye on a headliner, it gets absorbed into the material, and after several layers, it creates an appealing uniform finish.

Fabric dye is available in a wide range of colors. If you want black, red or tan, you can find the color you want.

Fabric dye can make your headliner look amazing. But you have to be very keen on quality and application techniques. Let’s go through how you can paint the headliner.

How Do I Paint a Headliner?

Painting a headliner is not that difficult. You need guidance. Below is a quick overview of the headliner painting process.

1st step – Shop for quality fabric paint

We need not emphasize why fabric dye is the best paint for headliners. So, you need to get out there and look for a vendor that stocks quality fabric dye.

2nd step – Remove the headliner

Some people would prefer to spray the headliner when it’s still attached. Though it’s possible to get the job done when the headliner is still attached, there are some risks.

You could spray the fabric dye on the windows. Some could spill on the seats and leave nasty stains. To avoid all that, unclip the headliner from the roof.

Refer to your car manual for the best procedure for doing that. When you take the headliner apart, it will be much easier to prepare and paint it.

3rd step – Clean the headliner

Even though it’s not mandatory since dye can easily absorb into fabric, cleaning your headliner has many benefits. It has been there for years and has never received a thorough cleanse.

Chances are it’s dusty and may even have some stains. Clean it with fabric shampoo and rinse it with running water. Give the wet headliner some time to dry. You can hang it under direct sunlight.

4th Step – Spray the headliner

After the headliner has dried up, what you should do next is spray it. Start from the front and go to the back, or vice versa. Ensure that you spray in a uniform direction.

Do not work on one part for longer. Spray at least three layers of fabric dye for a deep rich look. Put it back in the sun to dry. To avoid dampness, give it enough time to dry.

5th step – Reinstall the headliner

Your headliner should be looking as good as new. Put it back on the roof of the car and enjoy the new look of your interior. During reinstallation, you may have to use some adhesive for it to stick firmly.

Painting a headliner is easy. You don’t even have to hire a detailer to do it for you. As long as you have the items needed and the time, it’s a project that you can carry out by yourself with minimal help.

What Color Should I Paint My Headliner?

This is a matter of preference. But if you are interested in hearing professional advice, then here we go. Most headliners come in basic colors.

It could be grey, tan or black. The latter often creates the illusion of a smaller cabin. Brighter colors will open up your car’s interior and make it look spacious.

You have two options when deciding what color to use in your headliner. Choose a uniform interior color. If the seats are tan, go all tan, even on the headliner.

The other option is to blend two contrasting colors. For instance, black and red or black and white.

Looking at samples of headliner colors online can inspire you to choose the perfect color for your vehicle.

If you have been thinking about painting your headliner, you probably have some colors in mind. It’s always okay to try new things.

No matter how bold you think that color would be, you shouldn’t be held back by other people’s opinions.

Are There Any Risks of Painting Headliner?

Do not attempt to paint the headliner if you aren’t going to do it right. Headliner fabric isn’t an ideal painting material. The first mistake you can make is using low-quality paint.

That will cause the headliner to be brittle, and it will flake after a while. We recommend dye because it doesn’t change the physical composition of the fabric. A dye may cost more than ordinary paint, but it offers more satisfying results.

The other risk of painting a headliner is that it requires frequent touch-ups. After every once in a while, you will need to spray more dye.

Will the Headliner Paint Wash Off?

Suppose you use a dye. It’s not going to wash off since the finish will be permanent. The only way to remove the dye is by using another dye color.

Strong cleaners and bleaches can get rid of the paint on your headliner, but they are usually not a hundred percent effective.

Can I Paint Over the Vinyl Headliner?

It’s easier to paint over vinyl than fabric. So, if you have a vinyl headliner, you can still paint over it. Make sure you use specialized vinyl paint. That should hold on well.

You need to evaluate the material of the headliner first before painting over it. Using the wrong paint can lead to compatibility and adhesion issues.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo

Leave a Comment