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Headliner "paint" ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MikeP
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MikeP

MikeP

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We have a couple of water stains on our 53MY saloon headliner. One palm-sized area at the starboard edge aft of the side door, right above the wire chase, and one maybe 1.5" in diameter just to the starboard of the central overhead (oem) light fixture.

We were out in the rain for two days and actually had water dripping from the trim at the edge of the headliner at the wire chase. I thought I had stopped such leaks a few years ago...

Anyway, I tried the usual cleaning solutions but nothing eliminates the stains. The headliner is in excellent condition otherwise so I don't see any reason to replace it. Is paint a possibility? Not sure how well that would work or what sort of paint to use.
 
There are vinyl paints for them but you will probably need to paint the whole headliner. It works but can be a mess.
 
Mike, I want to do this too, but I'm waiting for someone else to be the ginuea pig. Tag...You're it! Take photos, tell us what you used, how you did it, lessons learned along the way, and when you're done, how you would have done it differently, if applicable. :D

Knowing how paint can splatter when you least expect it, I'd buy a lot of plastic and hang it with painter's tape around the walls to keep that paint off the wood walls.
 
Worse than you think Angela. It's sprayed on and has a lot of wet over spray. You need to cover everything well.
 
We painted the vinyl liner years ago with ordinary topside paint and it looks fine, i think we just used a brush as well. if i were to do it again i would probably roll n tip it. as for prep, we just washed it first.
 
Hmmm...I was thinking that fine-finish foam roller would be the way to go, not spray.

First thing to find would be the right paint...
 
Do it Mike! I am interested as well. I would like to seal my headliner because I think the back of it is deteriorating and clogging up my air filters. Its original but in great visual condition otherwise.

Captned
MBMM
 
One of our Classic Yacht Club members did this a few years back, used standard interior latex with a foam roller, still looks great. Low tech, low cost, great outcome. Not everything on a boat has to be expensive.
 
I'd like to paint mine for now and replace it later. I want to put teak batton strips where the seams are, and the existing "tack strips" (for lack of the proper term) under the headliner should be a perfect backing to hold the teak batton. I think those strips on the ceilings are very nautical and will go well with the entire look when and if I ever finish this boat...it is a boat, you know. I'm planning for teak & holly floors at some point, but that will also come with a total galley refit - so I can put the darn dishwasher back in here - everything except the refrigerator and sink has to be moved around since I don't care for those all-in-one convection/microwave/oven things (they're just not for my style of cooking - I need a real oven).

Mike, do yours an post some in-progress photos! :D I need some inspiration to start that job. As if I don't have enough to do already....LOL
 
1) pull out old headliner.
2) fix leaks and make sure they are fixed.
3) install new headliner, it is cheap (but not easy)
 
Since I got nothing to lose, I'll be the ginny pig, LOL. My head liners are stained really bad from the neglect of 5 plus years. I have cleaned them with clorox and some of the mildew came back over the winter. I got a new type cleaner especially for headliners and it cleans the mildew pretty good but still has the gray that just want come clean or come off. I will pick up a quart of the eggshell latex tommorrow morning and will do mine and let you know how it goes.

Here is a pic of the aft stateroom headliner.
 
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I wouldn't think latex would be a very good choice for this; some stains will just bleed right through, regardless of the number of coats unless the area is first coated with shellac or some other sealer...

Since, in our case, the stains are obviously water-based, I would assume that latex would not be suitable on its own. I was thinking that the Interlux Hatteras Off White would be he way to go...
 
I had a few spots in my headliner "repaired" two years ago by a guy who works out of Chestertown MD. They were small tears in the fabric. He applies a patch to the bad area and blends it in. I think he uses some sort of marker to match the appearance of the holes in the liner. It really matched the original material. I will look for his number and post it here. He is really good. He also works with leather products.
 
MikeP said:
I wouldn't think latex would be a very good choice for this; some stains will just bleed right through, regardless of the number of coats unless the area is first coated with shellac or some other sealer...

Since, in our case, the stains are obviously water-based, I would assume that latex would not be suitable on its own. I was thinking that the Interlux Hatteras Off White would be he way to go...
Click to expand...

I just painted the aft portion of my flybridge deck with the Interlux Hatteras Off White (can't wait to do the rest of the boat - nice, fresh, new paint!). I think that color will be too "creamy" for the headliner, unless you're looking to change the color of the headliner. The headliner is more white than that particular shade of Interlux. Also, with Interlux...now the project is getting expensive. What about using Kilz for the stained portions, under the latex paint? That always worked on house walls and ceilings.
 
the problem with anything you would roll on is filling the holes and its not as flexible as a product designed for this. go to the autoparts store and ask to see spray cans of VINYL DYE. this will come in various colors and if you want to do alot go to an auto body supply house and buy a quart of vinyl dye tinted to whatever color you want. whatever you do dont use regular thick paint out of the can. latex/acrylic paints can be thinned much better with acrylic liquid as opposed to water, one product is SCL water based paint thinner. get a cup gun and spray it the out come will be much better. theres also some aerosol cans meant for touch up of acoustical ceiling tiles dont know any brand names (even though one is sitting in my shop right now!)
Russ
 
Our OEM (32 year old) headliner had a small (palm sized ) stain when we bought the boat 16 years ago. Got two spraycans of auotmotive spray vinyl dye (one white, one tan). Sprayed a shot of white (from an inch of two away) and then some tan on a piece of paper - mixed/let dry and matched to liner color until I figured out about the right white/tan ratio (trial and errror - took about 3 trys). Then repeated the process on the dock using 20-30 second shots of spray a large piece of cardboard. Mixed with a small foam brush and dabbed the stained area trying to blend/feather the edges. You have to mix/work fast - the stuff drys in 40-50 seconds. Definately covers and will not blead through. Color match is a trial and error PITA, but this process makes a pretty good looking permanent fix.

For larger ares, vinyl dye/paint is available in liquid form (qt.cans), but I don't know where to find it. It would be much easier to mix/match/work with vs the spray can method. I would not spray the vinyl dye inside the cabin, the stuff only comes off with acetone. We had all the gray vinyl chair seats/backs in a large office painted and much to my surprise they held up for years w/o peeling, chipping, or wearing through.

Good luck, and Best Regards, Bob K
 
My headliner has no holes,,,,,it has tiny little stars embossed into the lining, I do have one little tear about 1" long with a water stain, going to spray with kilz first so that should let all know how that works out. Going to go with the eggshell as it goes on smoother and lays flatter than most latex paints. It is too very flexible as I have used it before and with plastic drop cloths, it adheres quite nicely. I will post the pics tonight if I get it finished today, or by Monday mornings as I will be on the boat til then. I would think that the little air holes in your liners would probably seal up with a roll on latex, but that is just a guess as most nail holes seal with paint when you roll a wall, may take too coats, if I had a piece I could test that theory for you.
 
In the automotive business the best product that I have found over 45 years of dyeing headliners is a product called Sem. It is a premixed, use out of the can, can be mixed to any color and is relatively cheep.
It will cover stains, since we even change headliner colors, and is reaaly user friendly. It can be sprayed, but I have put it on with a bristol brush, foam brush, sponge, even a rag soaked in the stuff.
Call your automotive paint supplier and have them mix whatever color you want. They have color charts that you can pick from or custom mix it. Try Finishmaster automotive paint stores, they should be able to help you, and are located all over the country.
 
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