XK8 Coupe - Sagging Roof Liner.

[Nige005]

Hi Everyone. Just noticed that the Roof Lining is starting to sag, mainly around the Light Unit. I've looked at a few options but would welcome any advice and experiences you may have.

 

Option 1.

New Roof Liner. These seem to available for around £200.

Problem. Apart from the cost and time and effort to fit - none. This is the ideal option but I don't know any Trim Specialists around this neck of the woods and as it's a job I don't fancy much myself it's still a problem.

 

Option 2.

Maybe it's possible for a good trimmer to repair the existing one as apart from the " sag " it is in perfect condition.

Problem. I'm guessing that the cost of the repair, excluding removal and refitting of the Board, would be at least a £100 so for an extra £100 I could go for a whole new one, seems a better way to go.

 

Option 3.

Remove Light Fitting in the hope I can then get to the saggy bit to get some glue in and so re-fix the fabric to the Board.

Problem. 1. I don't know if removing the Light Fitting would give me the access I need. 2. I suspect that the glue may well soak through the Fabric  and so look a right old mess.

 

Option 4.

Inject ( somehow ) glue through the fabric in the problem area to re-fix the fabric to the Board.

Problem. 1. Don't know of any glue that I can inject and have no idea if you can actually buy Hypodermic Needles. 2. Again glue staining the Fabric is potentially a problem.

 

Option 5.

Some people seem to have used Upholstery Twist Pins to re-fix the Fabric to the Board.

Problem.1. Not sure that it does work, is the board thick enough to take these pins and is there any risk of damaging the Roof itself by pushing up against the underneath of it with a sharp point ? 2. It wouldn't look brilliant. Brilliant ? Lets be honest, it would look bluidy awful but I suppose it would be acceptable as a temporary fix.

 

So people, what do you think ? Any ideas or suggestions.? I suspect I know the answer and expect to wave good bye to about £500 for a new one but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

 

Could have been worse I suppose, at least, last time I checked, I don't suffer from a soggy brown bottom, just a sagging beige top....... !

 

For those of you, who like me until yesterday, have no idea what an Upholstery Twist Pin looks like here's a pic.

 

[wombat]

Same problem for me, although mine was hanging completely down on purchase. Got a new replacement from Headlinerworld in Kent, well worth the £120 - took 2 of us 2.5 hours to replace and now has a really great finish

[Nige005]

14 hours ago, wombat said:

Same problem for me, although mine was hanging completely down on purchase. Got a new replacement from Headlinerworld in Kent, well worth the £120 - took 2 of us 2.5 hours to replace and now has a really great finish

Hi Garry. Thanks for your reply, good to hear that it wasn't too bad a job although I must say that I'm still not sure that I fancy it very much ! Thanks also for the name of the supplier, had a look at the site and they look good, 

[Nige005]

Oops. Admin, seems that both myself and Garry had a problem Posting here, hence the multiple Posts. When clicking the " Submit Reply " button nothing seems to happen and so you click it again, and again...... When you exit the Thread and then return you find that every click has indeed worked.

 

Sorry about that, perhaps you could look at this.

[Old Peter]

Hi Nige, 

I had spotted this too and Admin have now sorted it out.

Regards,

Peter.

[Nige005]

18 hours ago, Old Peter said:

Hi Nige, 

I had spotted this too and Admin have now sorted it out.

Regards,

Peter.

Thanks Peter, yes it all seems to be OK now.

 

If only I could sort out the Roof Lining as quickly........!!!

[Old Peter]

Roof linings I am not very good at, Nige!

[Nige005]

23 hours ago, Old Peter said:

Roof linings I am not very good at, Nige!

Same here Peter. Mind you I used to have the same reluctance to remove Door Cards ( various cars I've owned needed access ! ) but needs must and all that !  Must say that doing Trim work really frightens me though, always afraid I'm going to make things worse. My friend who I bought the XK8 from removed the centre console to replace some bulbs in there, another job I'm hoping that I never have to do......

[Old Peter]

Hi Nige,

The last door card I removed was on my wife's Viva HC in about 1983, and the previous one on my Triumph Herald in 1966.

[Nige005]

Done a few since then Peter, including the XK8 !

[JamesWalter]

The twist pins work fine.  Measured out carefully and I ended up with a "quilted button" look to the headlining.

[Nige005]

Yep, the pins are still in mine !

 

One of these days I'm hoping to have a day out to Kent to have a new one fitted but for now it'll do !

[StuartXKR]

It is possible to replace the cloth yourself if you are a moderately good DIYer. Remove the old roof lining in one piece as previously described. Remove the old cloth from the hard shell and wire brush to remove glue and any residual material. Purchase new headlining material and fabric glue from several sources on the internet. Apply the glue and work the cloth back into place to remove any sags, wrinkles etc. Replace the recovered hard she as previously discussed. Door pillars can be done in the same way if require. There are several videos on YouTube to help.