Sometimes we allow other drivers to use our cars, expecting them to handle them with great care, but not really. You may receive your vehicle back with a chaotic internal environment, and the cigarette is the worst of it. This happens mainly in a car headliner, destroying its shape and look.
Therefore, this article is all about fixing the burns and restoring the nature of your car headliner. If you are a cigarette smoker, then I am sure you understand what I am talking about. Of course, you don’t burn the headliner intentionally; it occurs accidentally. The report will only educate you on how to make the burn invisible.
Fixing the burn mark in a car headliner
It’s possible to repair a burn, but the work done’s final result will depend entirely on how bad the damaged part is. It will be based on its size, depth, upholstery type, and hole location. So, if you plan to do a complete upholstery restoration, do so, especially when it burns on the leather material.
If you don’t know how to go about it, you can seek a professional’s help or pay a visit to the workshop. I don’t mean just any workshop, but the one specialized in burn mark repair headliner. Finding an expert is always advisable to ensure deep inspection.
What you should understand about burn marks
There are several material choices with the sheathed interior part of the car; based on the tissue, burns vary. For example:
Nylon: This is typically made of a synthetic fibre material which is excellent in enabling the vehicle to resist high temperatures, wear, and stains in general. However, this turns into a nightmare once you expose the material fire. The burn marks will be visible, and you will get annoyed.
Therefore, when something like a burning cigarette is brought closer, the material will burn quickly, causing enormous damage. Consequently, you don’t have to get your burning cigarette closer to the material.
Imitation leather is another material that is also great and economical, making it an excellent alternative to most of its competitors on the market. The material comes in varying ways; therefore, the cigarette effect will depend on the Fabric’s components.
The immediate solution is not to smoke while driving, make a stopover, and smoke safely; cigarette burns might be more expensive than the cigarette itself.
Polyester: The nature of this material resembles that of nylon because it’s also durable. This means that if subjected to proper care and maintenance, it can serve you for decades. The material is loved by many people because it doesn’t shrink but dries quickly.
However, a burn make can destroy its shape and structure too. The material is more prone to fire, and when it catches fire, it will spread rapidly. When the burned area cools down, you will see how it hardens; the material’s shape and structure will be affected.
Leather: Here is another most expensive material when it comes to car headliners. The comprehensive options on the market are mainly made from either cattle or horses. Unlike plastic material, leather remains a more fire-retardant one. However, the material suffers chronic injury once it comes in contact with fire.
Replacing leather material is more expensive, and therefore you should avoid smoking while in the car. If your car headliner is made of leather material, you must be careful not to be subject to a fire. Sometimes, fixing the burns might not be a suitable solution.
Repairing burn mark in a car headliner
To repair burns like a cigarette, there are a must kit or tools and materials like;
- Needles to pierce the upholstery thickness
- Sharp objects, like, a stationery knife or a blade
- Fabric or other extra filling materials
- fabric special glue
- Transparent spray paint.
- Fabric to replace the broken part
Cigarette burns on your car roof can be considered permanent damage. Fixing them can be tricky unless you employ an experienced car interior doctor. These experts understand more about replacing the burned material on the roof of your car using a new vinyl or cloth.
Now that you have the necessary tools and materials, the next thing you need is time and knowledge. Don’t struggle anymore searching for understanding because this article provides you with. Below are the steps to fix the burn on a car headliner using the above tools and materials?
Step 1: Cleaning the surface to be worked on
You need to ensure that wherever you want to fix the burn mark is clean. If the place requires miniaturization, do so and give it enough time to dry. Don’t jump over fixing the issue while the area is still dirty.
Step 2: Removing the hanging piece from the hole
The next step will be to ensure there’s no loose piece of material on the place you want to fix.
Step 3: Apply little solvent-based glue to the burn
Here, you need to ensure that glueing doesn’t stretch beyond the burn perimeter.
Step 4: Take a cloth or patch with the same colour as that of your headliner.
Use a sharp object to cut a sizable patch to fit the burned place. However, if the damage is not severe, apply a little glue on the filler. On the other hand, use the foam when the situation is quite complicated.
When sizing a piece of cloth, you should ensure that it’s slightly larger than the burn. For this case, most cigarette burns resemble pencil marks. So to get an inconspicuous repair, the patch must be sizeable.
Step 5: Applying the patch directly
Now that you have everything in place, fit the patch on the damaged part directly, ensuring it works correctly. Hold the patch on the burn for not less than three minutes to ensure the cloth adheres completely.
Step 6: Apply the flocking glue on the area
You need to spray the repaired part with flocking glue. Doing so is necessary to aid ultimately seal the piece. Since you need an inconspicuous patch, ensure the spray area isn’t extended beyond the burn. Experts recommend using enough velour topcoat amounts to the repaired area to prevent it from stickiness. Leaving it just like that will probably make it sticky when it comes to another piece of cloth.
You might be read also: How to Fix a Car Window That Won’t Stay up
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I fix cigarette burns on my car headliner?
Yes, it’s possible, but it depends on the nature of the damage and the material. If your car’s interior part is made of unique material, you should look for a specialist to accomplish the job for you.
- What are some materials and tools required to fix burn marks on the car headliner?
Some of the materials and tools you are likely to use are; Needles to pierce the upholstery thickness, Sharp objects, like a stationery knife or a blade, Fabric or other extra filling materials, special fabric glue, Transparent spray paint, and Fabric to replace the broken part.
Final words
From the above discussions, you can realize that it’s possible to get your burned car headlined fixed using more explicit and available materials. Burn marks on your car headlines are the worst experience that most car owners would wish to have. Why don’t you abstain from smoking, or if it’s to leave your vehicle on a friend’s hands, ensure he is capable of returning it safely.