Dark Headliner
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 12
From: Charleston, SC
GL450
Dark Headliner
My headliner is sagging and needs a change. I went to a auto upholstery shop today and they have new cloth/foam in a variety of colors. They have something close to the current gray.
I want to go to a dark charcoal or black headliner. I realize this would give a two tone look unless I dye the plastic bits (grab handles) and also cover the C pillars, sunroof shade, and sun visors (that would probably be the hardest).
I would also love to do Alcantra, but the local shops all say they can't do it and I don't have the time or patience to follow Yacht Master's write up.
Has anyone tackled this? Am I better sticking with gray foam?
I want to go to a dark charcoal or black headliner. I realize this would give a two tone look unless I dye the plastic bits (grab handles) and also cover the C pillars, sunroof shade, and sun visors (that would probably be the hardest).
I would also love to do Alcantra, but the local shops all say they can't do it and I don't have the time or patience to follow Yacht Master's write up.
Has anyone tackled this? Am I better sticking with gray foam?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 5
From: Miami, FL
06 CLS55 Renntech stage 5, 04 CL600 ( will miss ),02e55 , 11 R350
My headliner is sagging and needs a change. I went to a auto upholstery shop today and they have new cloth/foam in a variety of colors. They have something close to the current gray.
I want to go to a dark charcoal or black headliner. I realize this would give a two tone look unless I dye the plastic bits (grab handles) and also cover the C pillars, sunroof shade, and sun visors (that would probably be the hardest).
I would also love to do Alcantra, but the local shops all say they can't do it and I don't have the time or patience to follow Yacht Master's write up.
Has anyone tackled this? Am I better sticking with gray foam?
I want to go to a dark charcoal or black headliner. I realize this would give a two tone look unless I dye the plastic bits (grab handles) and also cover the C pillars, sunroof shade, and sun visors (that would probably be the hardest).
I would also love to do Alcantra, but the local shops all say they can't do it and I don't have the time or patience to follow Yacht Master's write up.
Has anyone tackled this? Am I better sticking with gray foam?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 992
Likes: 11
From: Illinois
GL550, C55, 335i Coupe, vintage Mustang
If you are looking for Alcantara, I would look at Gulf Fabrics, I went through them(the US importer) for my needs, and dealt with a guy named Dedo. He was great to work with. They even offer samples.
gulffabrics.com is the website.
Nick
gulffabrics.com is the website.
Nick
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 5
From: Miami, FL
06 CLS55 Renntech stage 5, 04 CL600 ( will miss ),02e55 , 11 R350
Yes I spoke with Gulf Fabrics before , they are good but pricey... but Alcantara is expensive everywhere...one has to make sure that the material must be bonded to a 1/8" foam backing thats is a must. The gentleman at headlinerexpress.com ( Bill ) is quite a nice guy and he knows headliners, and he sells Alcantara ( even though I found it on my own ) .... speaking from experience ... with the price of Alcantara , I wouldnt mount the material on my own, it sounds easy and simple but it is not for the faint of heart. Also , never go over the original material , the old fabric must be removed , and the surface must be cleaned / scraped prepped. I would dismantle everything , send it to a pro, and reinstall the parts yourself. Taking the parts apart is straight forward , just tedious, the hardest part is getting the headliner itself in and out of the car.. PS. if one can remove the front seats that will make things easier. If anyone needs instructions PM me .
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
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From: Charleston, SC
GL450
Thanks for checking, Max.
I think I'm going to go for it, after inspecting again. The B pillar is black/charcoal already.
I'm going to have the headliner, sunshade, A pillars, and B pillars wrapped in foam backed cloth, charcoal/black colored. I'm going to leave the sun visors, grab handles, ABS logo, seat belt surround, sunshade handle, and sunshade vent in the current gray color. I think the two tone look should be pretty good.
I'd like to do alcantara, but it's looking like a lot of trouble. I can always dye the plastics later. The visors really would be the hard part, but I think they'll look good in a contrasting color.
I think I'm going to go for it, after inspecting again. The B pillar is black/charcoal already.
I'm going to have the headliner, sunshade, A pillars, and B pillars wrapped in foam backed cloth, charcoal/black colored. I'm going to leave the sun visors, grab handles, ABS logo, seat belt surround, sunshade handle, and sunshade vent in the current gray color. I think the two tone look should be pretty good.
I'd like to do alcantara, but it's looking like a lot of trouble. I can always dye the plastics later. The visors really would be the hard part, but I think they'll look good in a contrasting color.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 5
From: Miami, FL
06 CLS55 Renntech stage 5, 04 CL600 ( will miss ),02e55 , 11 R350
Saintz, thinking of it now I am sorry I didnt take step by step photos for a DIY addition to the forum.. but the decision to change it came while working on many other things for the car.. I hope the following helps , I am not sure if you have access to these or not , regardless here they are ..
***Removal of sunroof interior sliding panel:
1
Slide cover (2) to rear
2
Open sliding/pop-up roof approx. 10 cm
3
Remove trim strip (1)
NOTE: Before pulling off trim strip (1) press off on outside with plastic wedge.
4
Completely open sliding/pop-up roof
5
Push cover (2) forward, unhook sliders (3, 4) from slide rail and lift out cover
CAUTION: Press cover (2) to side while unhooking
6
Reinstall in opposite order.
***Removal of sunroof interior sliding panel:
1
Slide cover (2) to rear
2
Open sliding/pop-up roof approx. 10 cm
3
Remove trim strip (1)
NOTE: Before pulling off trim strip (1) press off on outside with plastic wedge.
4
Completely open sliding/pop-up roof
5
Push cover (2) forward, unhook sliders (3, 4) from slide rail and lift out cover
CAUTION: Press cover (2) to side while unhooking
6
Reinstall in opposite order.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,197
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From: Miami, FL
06 CLS55 Renntech stage 5, 04 CL600 ( will miss ),02e55 , 11 R350
Steps instructions below.. there will still be few points here and there.. post your questions .. remember be very careful the pillar covers.. it is very easy to break the plastic tabs just take your time and dont force anything , email or PM me anytime you want .. best of luck.. go get it tiger !!!
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210 55
I made mine in alcantara & i recommend you remove the front driver side seat, rear lower seat, center armrest & you can remove the headliner by the left rear door without crack them like to the upper picture removing them via front right door friends. in my case my car is an E55 99 (pre-updated) take care the headliner in the 00+ cars are different cause the roof lateral airbags (not mounted in the pre-updated cars). hope that help
Fabio Daniel
Fabio Daniel
Last edited by Fabio D; Dec 21, 2009 at 07:16 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 138
Likes: 4
From: Destin, Florida
1999 E55
Funny Saintz.....I was also at an auto upholstery shop in the last few days and was thinking the same thing about going with a darker grey. The light grey he had does not really match the stock exactly anyway. I will be interested to see your finished product!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,197
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From: Miami, FL
06 CLS55 Renntech stage 5, 04 CL600 ( will miss ),02e55 , 11 R350
I made mine in alcantara & i recommend you remove the front driver side seat, rear lower seat, center armrest & you can remove the headliner by the left rear door without crack them like to the upper picture removing them via front right door friends. in my case my car is an E55 99 (pre-updated) take care the headliner in the 00+ cars are different cause the roof lateral airbags (not mounted in the pre-updated cars). hope that help
Fabio Daniel
Fabio Daniel
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,197
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From: Miami, FL
06 CLS55 Renntech stage 5, 04 CL600 ( will miss ),02e55 , 11 R350
If one is not doing Suede/ Alcantara.. then I would recommend MB OEM fabric, the newer models come in darker colors and the MB one is already foam backed. Bill @ headlinerexpress.com has them or can get it reasonably. My new W212 for instance has this beautiful almost Anthracite very durable fabric on the roof.
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210 55
I buy from Bill (headlinerexpress) the alcantara material in 4978 color code. is pretty light light gray (same color as my father's W211) comes in factory alcantara. looks veeery beautiful but i need to recognize is very hard to glued the alcantara to the factory healiner. you need to clean very good the surface & the sunvisor curves are very hard, very hard to made the cuts in the sun roof areas too, but when you finish all the work looks pretty cool 
Maxwerks: Yes i think the difference in the updated cars made impossible remove them via rear left door, in the pre updated cars is possible & more easy to remove it.
The updated cars has the rear pillars very small, for this reason the headliner is bigger than the pre updated cars (take in account in the updated cars is more hard upolster the headliner because the rear part have an acentuated curves in the rear pillars zone
Thanks God my car has the gray headliner only & all interior & all pillars in black color, for this reason i only made in alcantara the headliner in gray & stay black factory material in all pillars
Fabio Daniel
Maxwerks: Yes i think the difference in the updated cars made impossible remove them via rear left door, in the pre updated cars is possible & more easy to remove it.
The updated cars has the rear pillars very small, for this reason the headliner is bigger than the pre updated cars (take in account in the updated cars is more hard upolster the headliner because the rear part have an acentuated curves in the rear pillars zone
Thanks God my car has the gray headliner only & all interior & all pillars in black color, for this reason i only made in alcantara the headliner in gray & stay black factory material in all pillars
Fabio Daniel
Last edited by Fabio D; Dec 22, 2009 at 07:32 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
W210 E55, Custom Turbocharged
You guys are sick. I love it
I would love to see some photos of the results. I haven't even finished my performance mods and now you guys have me drooling for some interior updates. I especially like the idea of alcantara. My new Audi S-line has the leather/alcantara interior and I am really starting to appreciate the beauty of alcantara. Heck, I can even rationalize it as a performance mod... wait, maybe I am the sick one...hehe thanks for the inspiration. 
I would love to see some photos of the results. I haven't even finished my performance mods and now you guys have me drooling for some interior updates. I especially like the idea of alcantara. My new Audi S-line has the leather/alcantara interior and I am really starting to appreciate the beauty of alcantara. Heck, I can even rationalize it as a performance mod... wait, maybe I am the sick one...hehe thanks for the inspiration.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,560
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210 55
Hahahahahahhahahahaha maddnes! hahahahah when i have some little chance i'll take some pics for you guys! looks real awesome.. my car is in our workshop now not in my house, when i have some time i go to take some pics 
Fabio Daniel
Fabio Daniel
Last edited by Fabio D; Dec 24, 2009 at 07:16 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 10
210 55
You guys are sick. I love it I would love to see some photos of the results. I haven't even finished my performance mods and now you guys have me drooling for some interior updates. I especially like the idea of alcantara. My new Audi S-line has the leather/alcantara interior and I am really starting to appreciate the beauty of alcantara. Heck, I can even rationalize it as a performance mod... wait, maybe I am the sick one...hehe thanks for the inspiration.
I would love to see some photos of the results. I haven't even finished my performance mods and now you guys have me drooling for some interior updates. I especially like the idea of alcantara. My new Audi S-line has the leather/alcantara interior and I am really starting to appreciate the beauty of alcantara. Heck, I can even rationalize it as a performance mod... wait, maybe I am the sick one...hehe thanks for the inspiration. Hope all like it, takes a lot of time & work to made it
Last edited by Fabio D; Dec 24, 2009 at 07:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 10
210 55
You guys are sick. I love it I would love to see some photos of the results. I haven't even finished my performance mods and now you guys have me drooling for some interior updates. I especially like the idea of alcantara. My new Audi S-line has the leather/alcantara interior and I am really starting to appreciate the beauty of alcantara. Heck, I can even rationalize it as a performance mod... wait, maybe I am the sick one...hehe thanks for the inspiration.
I would love to see some photos of the results. I haven't even finished my performance mods and now you guys have me drooling for some interior updates. I especially like the idea of alcantara. My new Audi S-line has the leather/alcantara interior and I am really starting to appreciate the beauty of alcantara. Heck, I can even rationalize it as a performance mod... wait, maybe I am the sick one...hehe thanks for the inspiration. & the final is a bonus pic Sorry for the dissaster round the car 
(& Yes... i need to replace my dome light.. the plastic turns yellowish but.. i need a new one )
Last edited by Fabio D; Dec 25, 2009 at 05:54 PM.
