A headliner is very important for your car as it offers several benefits. Not only it helps to make your car appear better but also provides protection and great insulation. But, with time, the glue of the headliner wears off and the headliner begins to tear or sag. Moisture is also one of the biggest enemies of the headliner as it accelerates the process of tearing it apart. However, with a good headliner adhesive, these problems can be fixed quickly and effectively.
There are several headliner adhesives that are available in the market. This might confuse the buyer who is looking for these kinds of products for the first time. So, we have made your task easier by listing out some factors to consider when buying the headliner adhesive.
- Type: There are primarily two kinds of headliner adhesive that are liquid and aerosol. When you are trying to fix large areas, the aerosol spray is more suitable and liquid aerosol is more suited for smaller areas.
- Temperature Resistance: This is a very important thing to consider as this factor will decide whether the adhesive is strong enough to hold the headliner or not. The temperature resistance is also affected by the climate conditions where you use the car.
- Repositionability: If the adhesive dries too quickly, then a large area cannot be fixed with it. If the adhesive has repositionability qualities, then it gives the user enough time to fix the structure in the right place at the given time.
More details on the features to consider when “Buying Guide” a headliner adhesive are given later in the article. In this guide, we have listed the best Headliner Adhesive for you with their best features, advantages, and disadvantages. Read on to know all about the headliner adhesive.
Best Headliner Adhesive List
| Best Headliner Adhesive | Material | Size | Brand | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tear Mender Headliner Adhesive | Glue | 2 oz | Tear Mender | Check On Amazon |
| 3M Headliner Adhesive | Spray Glue | 18.1 oz | 3M | Check On Amazon |
| Gorilla Headliner Adhesive | Solid Glue | 11 oz | Gorilla | Check On Amazon |
| Permatex Headliner Adhesive | Spray Glue | 16.75 oz | Permatex | Check On Amazon |
| Krylon Headliner Adhesive | Spray Glue | 11 oz | Krylon | Check On Amazon |
| LOCTITE Headliner Adhesive | Spray Glue | 16.72 oz | Loctite | Check On Amazon |
| Polymat Headliner Adhesive | Spray Glue | 20 oz | Polymat | Check On Amazon |
Best Headliner Adhesive Reviews
1. Tear Mender Headliner Adhesive
Want an instant repair for your torn fabric or leather headliner of your car? Look no further, as this Tear Mender adhesive would do that in a moment. This product has been trusted since 1932 and is still going strong.
This product creates a permanent bond at the torn part of the fabric or leather by seeping in the crevices within minutes. The process is so quick that it becomes wearable within just 3 minutes, and you can wash it again in just 15 minutes!
This permanent bond created by the adhesive is UV-resistant and waterproof, which makes it durable, long-lasting, and washable. Once dried, the bond is flexible and can tackle any drive through rough terrain or harsh handling of the door. Moreover, it is quite simple to clean as it does not stick to hard substances.
This Tear Mender features a water-based and natural formula that is non-toxic and does not harm the skin.
Best Features:
- Material: Glue
- Compatible Material: Leather, Clothes
- Size: 2 oz
Pros:
- Forms permanent bond.
- UV-resistant and waterproof.
- Long-lasting.
Cons:
- Some people had issues with the texture.
2. 3M Headliner Adhesive
This 3M headliner and fabric glue is known to bond fabrics and leather to plastic, metal, and other non-porous material. The attachment is immune to degrading factors like cold, heat, humidity, moisture, and other climatic conditions.
This Adhesive created an exceptional bond between the plastic and the fabric without any discoloration or strain caused to it. The aerosol featured in the product helps to consistently and evenly coat over the surface and minimises the chances of oversaturation. Moreover, the adjustable nozzle enables direct application over a large area. The adhesive takes just 30 minutes to 60 minutes to dry, and it is clear after it is dried.
As the glue sets fast, it is an ideal solution for all automotive repairs.
Best Features:
- Material: Spray Glue
- Compatible Material: Fabric
- Size: 18.1 oz
Pros:
- Immune to degrading factors.
- Spray containers allow even coating.
- Ideal for automotive repairs.
- Does not discolour the fabric.
Cons:
- Some people had problems with the instructions on the package.
3. Gorilla Headliner Adhesive
This spray adhesive is a versatile product and is compatible with various materials such as leather, paper, plastic, foam, fabric, metal, wood and much more.
This adhesive by Gorilla is a heavy-duty product that is suitable for multiple purposes. It is repositionable for 10 minutes, after which it creates a permanent bond. The bond is then resistant to UV rays and highly durable. The permanent bond is also clear even on the surface. The wide pad adjustable nozzle allows clean and even application of the adhesive for ease of use. This quality is further facilitated by the controlled fine mist application.
This adhesive is water-proof once it has dried and the permanent bond has been created.
Best Features:
- Material: Solid Glue
- Compatible Material: Metal, Plastic, Leather, Paper, Glass, Wood, Vinyl
- Size: 11 oz
Pros:
- Versatile adhesive.
- Controlled mist application.
- Adjustable nozzle.
Cons:
- Some users argued that it is not suitable for repairing large area damages.
4. Permatex Headliner Adhesive
Permatex has come up with this premium-strength spray glue which is capable of fixing the interior parts of an automobile when it gets detached, loosen up or breaks away.
This adhesive is water-proof and resistant to extreme weather conditions like snow, rain, and excessive moisture. Moreover, it can easily handle difficult temperature conditions and can stay strong for temperatures as high as 170°F. It is VOC compliant and can easily bond automotive materials like rubbers, plastics, fabrics, and foams. Once dry, it gives a clear appearance so that it looks neat and does not disrupt the car’s decor.
The suggested applications for this adhesive include door panels, trunk linings, carpets, headliners, etc.
Best Features:
- Material: Spray Glue
- Compatible Material: Plastics, Carpet
- Size: 16.75 oz
Pros:
- Resistant to extreme weather conditions.
- Clear appearance.
- Resistant to high temperature.
- High-strength glue.
Cons:
- This product is on the expensive side.
5. Krylon Headliner Adhesive
Krylon’s all-motive spray adhesive is a powerful glue that can stick many materials like wood, metal, plastic, and fabric. It creates a flexible bond, making it perfect for crafts, scrapbooking, and big projects that require more time to stick. The spray can is easy to use, and the glue works well with various materials like foam, glass, and ceramic. However, it is highly flammable, so use caution when handling it.
The 11-ounce aerosol makes it easy to apply and offers a steady spray sample for even coverage. Plus, it is well suited with craft foam, paper mache, glass, plaster, ceramic, dried silk flora, and wicker.
Krylon is a trusted brand with over 70 years of experience in making adhesives. This spray adhesive is perfect for home repairs, DIY projects, and artistic creations. It is convenient, versatile, and reliable.
Best Features:
- Material: Spray Glue
- Compatible Material: Metal, Wood
- Size: 11 oz
Pros:
- Provides a strong bond between various materials like wood, metal, plastic, and fabric
- Spray adhesive dries quickly
- Can be used for a wide range of applications
- It is resistant to moisture and heat.
Cons:
- Inhalation of the fumes cause health problems
- May not work well with some materials
6. LOCTITE Headliner Adhesive
Loctite is one of the top brands when it comes to automobile accessories. This adhesive provides the maximum strengthened bond between the headliner and the inside roof of the automobile.
This is a high-temperature and premium-strength spray glue which can easily repair torn parts of rubber, plastic, fabrics, carpet, foam, etc. This sealant is waterproof once it is dried and can handle rain, snow, and moisture. On top of that, this adhesive can handle high-temperatures with ease. The spray nozzle allows the glue to spread evenly with ease and can also cover large areas.
This product is suitable for industrial HVAC and successfully repairs motor accessories.
Best Features:
- Material: Spray Glue
- Compatible Material: Rubber, Plastic, Foam
- Size: 16.72 oz
Pros:
- Premium strength glue.
- Resistant to tough weather.
- Easy to use nozzle.
- Can be sprayed evenly on large areas.
Cons:
- The instructions on the package are too brief.
7. Polymat Headliner Adhesive
Polymat has come up with an adhesive that is good for heavy-duty bonding for hood silencer pads, headliners and vinyl tops. Moreover, it can also be used for cloth, felt, cardboard, paper, foam, carpeting and headliners to attach them to hardboard, metals or woods.
It is a fast-drying adhesive and a high-tack glue. It provides a high-strength and high-resistance bond to the objects. It becomes waterproof once it is dried and can handle rough weather conditions like rain, snow, and moisture. Also, it is strong against high temperatures like 160°F.
This glue can be sealed after use with the help of the cap provided by the bottle.
Best Features:
- Material: Spray Glue
- Compatible Material: Paper, Cardboard, Wood, Vinyl
- Size: 20 oz
Pros:
- Fast-drying adhesive.
- Resistant to strong temperature.
- Sealable cap.
- High-temperature adhesive.
Cons:
- Some people experienced soaking through the cloth.
Things To Consider When Choosing Headliner Adhesive
If you use the correct headliner adhesive, then repairing a headliner is quite simple. However, the use of wrong headliner adhesive can damage the headliner to such an extent that the vehicle looks worse and can burn a hole in your pocket while you fix it. We have listed some of the important features which will help you choose the best Headliner Adhesive.
1. Type
There are various kinds of Headliner Adhesive that are available in the market. We have discussed two of the main types of adhesive.
- Aerosol: This kind of headliner adhesive is very easy to use as it can be directly sprayed as it comes in a spray can. There is no need for an additional spray gun or can to fix the headliner with this adhesive. For this adhesive, you just need to spray or coat the vehicle with this adhesive to repair the headliner and fix it in place.
- Liquid: These headliner adhesives have the same functioning like the aerosol adhesive but they need a separate can or spray for covering large areas or using it easily.
2. Temperature Resistance
The first consideration before buying any headliner adhesive is whether your vehicle is mostly hot or cold. Also, this depends on the weather and climate conditions that you live in. However, the temperature resistance of the headliner adhesive is very important. The regular rubber-based adhesive might not be suitable when the question is about fixing the headliner but it might melt when it comes to contact with your car. You can go for the upholstery adhesive so that the temperature can be handled well.
3. Repositionability
This consideration is pretty important as it buys you time while you are fixing the headliner. If the adhesive dries quickly, and you are working on a large area, then the result might not be satisfactory as you are unable to stick it in the perfect place. With any adhesive that is repositionable, it gives you the required time to make things fall in place and complete once everything is looking good and neat.
4. Effective Hold
Some people do not want to invest in an extra adhesive just for the headliner of their car. They often end up using the general adhesive to fix their car headliner. Well, with the use of this, the headliner needs fixing time and again at the exact same spot. Therefore, it is suggested to choose a headliner adhesive which has a permanent hold on the car headliner. You need to make sure that you do not repair the same thing again and again.
5. Compatibility
Another important factor to consider is that the adhesive must be absolutely compatible with the fabric that you are looking to fix. If the adhesive is not compatible, the whole thing will just turn into a big mess.
6. Ease of use
When talking about ease of use, we need to consider the two types of adhesive. While choosing the adhesive you need to consider the area that you want to fix. If it is a larger area, aerosol is more effective than the liquid adhesive. On the other hand, for a small area, the liquid adhesive is the best solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: The headliner of the car is the material which is stuck to the inside roof of the car. Usually, it is made of foam backing or non-woven face fabric. It is generally layers of composite fabric that are stuck together. The feel and look of the headliner can change significantly with different materials. The headliner can protect the car users, create sound reduction and insulate the car.
Ans: The headliner adhesive is a n adhesive which is used to fix the headliner or headliner fabric in your car by sticking it. They can help to fix the headliner that is damaged or sagging. These adhesives are waterproof and temperature resistant so that you do not need to fix it time and again.
Ans: You do not need to paint over the headliner adhesive as its sole purpose is to fix the fabric to the headliner. However, in case of a hole in the liner, you can paint it over the adhesive after it has dried.
Ans: This usually depends on the size of the car you are using. But, generally, two cans of Adhesives is sufficient for repairing the whole headliner of the car.
Ans: The usual width of the headliner is around 1 to 1.5 inches. Some headliners have more width than the others. The maximum width is around 2 inches.
Final Word
With this guide at your disposal, choosing the best Headliner Adhesive would be like a walk in the park. We have tried to answer all your questions regarding the headliner adhesive. If you still have questions or doubts, feel free to write to us in the comments section below.
- If you are here for the recommendations, we have listed our top three favourites from the list. The first suggestion is Tear Mender Headliner Adhesive. This adhesive forms a permanent bond which is waterproof and UV-resistant.
- The second recommendation from the list is 3M Headliner Adhesive. It is immune to all degrading factors and the spray nozzle allows even coating.
- The third and final choice from the list is Gorilla Headliner Adhesive. It is a versatile adhesive with an adjustable nozzle for even spray and application.
