Replacing a car's headliner, the fabric that lines the interior of the roof, must be done if the headliner material has started to sag or fall down. A sagging headliner can become a safety hazard if it hangs down far enough to obstruct the driver's view through the windows. You also may want to replace a headliner if it is ripped or discolored. Replacing a 2001 Honda Civic headliner is fairly simple and can be done in your own driveway in less than two hours.
Pry the lens off the center dome light with a flat-head screwdriver and pry the plastic trim away from the light. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw from each sun visor. Look along the edges of the headliner for Phillips screws holding plastic molding in place. Remove the screws and molding. The headliner and headliner board will come down in one piece. Pull it out of the car. Be careful not to bend it too much or the headliner board will break.
Lay the headliner on a large, flat surface or on the ground. Pull the headliner material off the headliner board. The glue on the headliner board doesn't have to be removed.
Place the new headliner material on top of the headliner board and cut it to fit. Leave an extra two inches of fabric to fold over along the edges. Cut small holes for the dome light and sun visor screws.
Fold the new fabric in half, revealing half of the headliner board and the underside of half of the material. Spray a moderate coat of adhesive over the board and fabric, and let them dry for one full minute to become tacky.
Unfold the fabric so that the sticky side comes in contact with the sticky side of the headliner board. Use your hands to smooth out wrinkles. Use the same steps to attach the other half of the fabric to the headliner board.
Turn the headliner over and spray a thin coat of adhesive around the edges. Fold over the extra two inches of material and press it onto the back side of the headliner. Allow it to dry for five minutes.
Put the newly covered headliner inside the Civic, with the new material facing the seats. Replace the plastic molding and Phillips screws first to hold the headliner in place. Replace the dome light lens and sun visors last.
