Headlining revamp
- Thread starter Jellybean
- Start date
2work
Well Known Member
Bob,
Good luck with this task. Remember that the high temperature contact adhesive adheres on first contact and doesn’t give you much to rectify errors.
Ensure that there is no remaining greasiness on the biscuit as this will go against promoting good adhesion. To make sure you’re not doing this again in a year or 2 you must make sure the biscuit is spotless and dry.
Before you add any adhesive can I suggest you lay the headlining fabric onto the headlining biscuit and get used to the contours and how you may follow them. It’s an easy task to be honest but it’s just as easy to get it wrong.
Where I messed up on my headlining job was I folded the fabric along the sides. Do not do this as you’re changing the dimensions and it will not fit as nice as it did before. Certainly fold the fabric over at the front and back though. Just follow exactly what was done originally by following the adhesive lines on the top of the biscuit.
It’s such a satisfying job watching it come together and dramatically changes the enjoyment of the interior.
If you’re doing this task for an OSS A2 it is easier to fill the void by attaching some cardboard to stop the fabric sinking. If it’s not an OSS A2 then it should be easier I guess. I’ve not personally done a non OSS biscuit yet.
Soon as this warmer weather appears in a couple of months I’ll start to offer this as a service for the less brave.
Can I ask what covering you’re going for.
Kind regards,
Tom
Skipton01
Admin Team
No, tell me about it - when I replaced the interior of Tank for black trim, back in 2004/5, I couldn't believe how many other panels need removing before the headliner comes out. Only a couple of screws though. Think I'll be going for a nice black alcantara when the time comes to do my OSS panel and will probably match the visors too. I've got a great auto upholsterer 10 mins away so will get a quote when they re-open.
2work
Well Known Member
Bob,
Something else to consider whilst your A2 is off the road with the headlining out...
1.Recolour your light switch panels to black if you’re going for a darker colour. This is what can be achieved with some Lidl Mat Black paint and some TT buttons:
Something else to also do whilst you’re possibly painting the light switch panel is drill 2 holes into it and add a pair of red LEDs from later Audi’s. Wiring it im is very simple. Sorry I don’t have any pictures of this as I cannot find the 2 light switch panels I modified. It was really nice in the evenings as it gave a subtle red glow around the gearstick/ashtray area.
Something like this:
Hope this helps with your ideas as you progress to a new headlining.
Kind regards
Tom
Something else to consider whilst your A2 is off the road with the headlining out...
1.Recolour your light switch panels to black if you’re going for a darker colour. This is what can be achieved with some Lidl Mat Black paint and some TT buttons:
Something else to also do whilst you’re possibly painting the light switch panel is drill 2 holes into it and add a pair of red LEDs from later Audi’s. Wiring it im is very simple. Sorry I don’t have any pictures of this as I cannot find the 2 light switch panels I modified. It was really nice in the evenings as it gave a subtle red glow around the gearstick/ashtray area.
Something like this:
Hope this helps with your ideas as you progress to a new headlining.
Kind regards
Tom
Jellybean
A2OC Donor
Thanks Tom, have downlighting led's in our Kodiaq, and I think I have a couple of suitable units somewhere. At least I did before we moved house!.
Will buttons from any TT housing fit? I had been thinking about how to keep the button legends if I sprayed the light unit black.
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
gangitano85
A2OC Donor
I can't wait for you to get down to the South East when it will be allowed again. Looking to get both the OSS and the headlining sorted.
Jellybean
A2OC Donor
Tom, planning to get materials from AS Trim. Have samples and they have black, grey and red which work for me.
TT light switch unit ordered!
Did you cover the Sun Visors? As I see it options are to inlay material after spraying black. Or fill the inlays, smooth then cover the whole Visor.
I have taken the centre section out of the headlining, so have an outer which is the same as for OSS. Plan to use a different colour for the centre panel.
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
TT light switch unit ordered!
Did you cover the Sun Visors? As I see it options are to inlay material after spraying black. Or fill the inlays, smooth then cover the whole Visor.
I have taken the centre section out of the headlining, so have an outer which is the same as for OSS. Plan to use a different colour for the centre panel.
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
2work
Well Known Member
Bob,
Mk1 TT buttons fit:
Here’s a cheap set on the bay for £12. No affiliation. I think other of similar age will work and I will have a look through my eBay history for you as I have purchased a few, I do think that other models don’t all come in black though. TT is your best bet, part number 8N8947111.
Audi A3 option: Here’s a set of buttons, quite expensive but comes with the hard to find black OSS button, part number 8P0947135AD (6PS for Soul):
Buttons from an A4 B7 also work part number 8E0951177. Here’s a link to a cheap set on eBay right now:
I have used AS Trim many a time when I’ve done this in the last. Their Trim Fix HT spray adhesive work brilliantly.
I’ve not reupholstered my sun visors yet. The fabric placed on at the factory was done before the 2 halves of the sun visor were sandwiched together. I’ve not been able to separate the 2 halves so will be using a trim tool to poke/push the fabric under the plastic around the edges. I’m sure that makes sense to you.
Kind regards,
Tom
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2work
Well Known Member
Evening,
I do travel past you a few times a year as I’m originally from Dover and still have family there but I unfortunately don’t offer any kind of mobile service. You may have me mixed up with Tom @timmus who tours the UK and Europe. For OSS repair you need to contact Ian @Kleynie.
When I get the headlining service off the starter blocks this will be done on my driveway and won’t be looking to do this away from home. Logistically it really would be a challenge to do this anywhere else as I don’t have the means or time to move around with these large items.
You’re more than welcome here though once I’m ready and it’s safe to do so.
Kind regards,
Tom
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2work
Well Known Member
Evening Bob,
I’ve seen quite a few headlinings with inset twinkling LEDs. Very Star Wars!
Reupholstering the sun visors will certainly be trial and error. I will opt for cutting the fabric for each shallowed area and attempt to adhere them in. I have Vanity Mirrors so cannot really simply cover the whole thing. I’ll be watch your progress to see if I might need to rethink how to go about this task.
If you want a sacrificial sun visor I have one here you can have FOC for the cost of postage alone. This will give you something to build your experience and confidence up before attacking yours.
Kind regards,
Tom
Kleynie
A2OC Donor
Thanks for the bid up Tom. Happy to help where we can. Maybe if someone is coming our way they could stop at yours and pick up that bumper for us ?
Ian
Jellybean
A2OC Donor
Many thanks Tom. I too have vanity mirrors, although never used my side!
Will try to post progress on here. Plan to order materials tomorrow. Sure I have perspex sheet somewhere. Failing that will be Aluminium.
Twinkling led's, not so sure!
For info have replaced drivers grab handle with a glasses box. Bought several before finding the right shape n size. Will probably cover that too.
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2work
Well Known Member
Haha,
I did the same. I got the sunglass holder from a newish shaped VW Beetle.
A few examples which are currently for sale on eBay, the part number is 3B0857465B for future reference:
Platinum sun glasses holder
Twist? sun glasses holder
These items take 2 minutes to modify to fit nicely into the A2.
Kind regards,
Tom
I did the same. I got the sunglass holder from a newish shaped VW Beetle.
A few examples which are currently for sale on eBay, the part number is 3B0857465B for future reference:
Platinum sun glasses holder
Twist? sun glasses holder
These items take 2 minutes to modify to fit nicely into the A2.
Kind regards,
Tom
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gangitano85
A2OC Donor
Sorry, indeed I got you guys mixed up. Happy to travel to you once all of this is behind us.
gangitano85
A2OC Donor
Just out of curiosity, how long does it take you to do the headlining?
