replacing a headliner

The material in my 92 is/was a very heavy vinyl material with a foam backing, not the light material stuff used in automotive applications. Because it was so heavy, I couldn't get it to stick back up on the ceiling.

The OP is dealing with a 1990, so I'd guess the foam has just seen better days.

Tom

Before dismissing the coach completely check the headliner to determine the reason for the failure. If you see water stains then you have a water leak. If the foam in the headliner has become a crumbly powder them the headliner material has failed, not an uncommon event.

This is assuming that the headliner itself is similar to an automobile headliner. Most auto headliners consist of the exposed vinyl or woven fabric glued to a foam backing. The foam degrades over time which lets the liner material sag/hang down. In a car the headliner itself is glued to a molded cardboard piece that gives it it's shape. To replace the headliner you have to remove the molded cardboard piece and scrape of the old headliner and glue on new material. Headliner material usually comes off of a roll about 54" wide and is available at automotive upholstery supply shops and many sewing supply stores.

I dealt with this on my 92 Winnebago. I tried taking down the material and stripping off the foam and gluing it back up, but that didn't work. The material is too heavy and once it begins curling and falling down, it doesn't like to go back to a factory-flat form, regardless of how much glue I used. I ended up just stripping the ceiling and using ceiling paint. It came out very nice....although the picture in the above pose looks pretty cool.

And regardless of the quality of material, that foam deteriorates with time and heat. It happens on cars and everything else. It's not always a defect or water intrusion that causes it to start falling down...just time. Good luck if you decide to go with it.

Tom

Tinstar wrote:
Let me try that again: .

not bad, perhaps a little "noisy"? but it would have to be awfully cheap and way below low wholesale to interest me. a terrible unit for a first RV owner.
bumpy

Let me try that again: .

this is something I saw on the forum a while back. He used vinyl soffet for a new headliner. It looks pretty good in the picture but I haven't seen it in person.

The liner falling down was manufacturing defect in the glue deteriorating the foam over time and not a roof leak. I stapled mine up and it looks okay. Long term plan is carpet on the ceiling stapled over the liner.
If you attempt to replace the liner all the foam must be scraped of the ceiling.
I have 1990 on the chevy chassis that I love no major problems.

Sounds like a "headache waiting to happen." Inspect roof very carefully for leaks. Good luck to you. I would not do it myself.

jharvey1025 wrote:
Hi, I am new to the forum, we just went and looked at a motorhome today which we are very excited about. It will be our 1st motorhome! it's a 1990 Fleetwood PaceArrow 32ft. the headliner in falling down in spots. Just wondering if there is any place to get the foam backed vinyl or if there is any other material that is a good substitue

I'd be concerned about possible water damage from roof leaks if the ceiling headliner is falling down.....

It's on the chevy chassis.