XJS roof lining

[spearso4]

I have a 1989 XJS v12 coupe, whose fabric facing to the roof lining became detached. After unsuccessfully trying to stick it back, I had to cut the fabric away in order to see where I was going. On an edition of Wheeler Dealers on Discovery they purchased a new roof lining for £240, does anyone know who sells this?

[aproctor]

If you contact GB classic trim on 02476 325928 they should be able to help, not sure about their price though.

Alan Proctor

[spearso4]

Thanks

[ptjs1]

spears04,

There's been a number of previous posts on XJs headlinings on the XJS Bulletin Board. You may want to search through them and also put your post there.

Regards

Paul Sinnott
XJS Forum Co-ordinator

[doug]

I think Wheeler Dealers might have used this Company:

NATIONWIDE TRIM
Great Britain 17 BARTLEET ROAD
B98 0DG REDDITCH, WORCESTERSHIRE
Phone: 01527 518851

UPDATE: There are several XJS headlinings for sale on Ebay (search under "XJS headlining). I believe the one at: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JAGUAR-XJS-HEADLI ... 58878524d2 is the guy from NationwideTrim.

Doug

[555ttg]

Greetings from the JEC Canada Region!
I have done this task more times than I care to remember, and in fact have 2 to do in the coming months. If you and/or significant other, are at all handy, this is a comparatively easy DIY job.
The headliner,(and cant rails and rear 1/4 sections) are all covered in a nylon material that is backed with thin foam. Over time, the fowm dries out and 'bunches' causing the weight of said foam, to stretch the thin nylon material, and hence the 'sagging'.

First of all you want to remove the cant rail pieces from above the doors,(they go over the rear side windows too), by gently prying them away form the side rails in the roof panel.(there are 3 or 4 press studs,metal, that fit into the side rails). Once this is done, then remove the back seat,(for easier access), then remove the C post finishers,(they look like slanted bookends), these are the buttress finishers as seen inside the car,(I think there are 4 screws that hold each side in). The next step is to carefully remove the sunvisors and clips, from the header panel,and the rear view mirror, making sure you don't lose the screws! (care with the visor clips as they're probably brittle, and likely to break). The interior light that is up by the rear view mirror, can now be pried out gently, and the 2 wires disconnected.

Check again, that all attachments to the roof panel are removed, and makes sure there is nothing impeding the removal.

Along the side of the panel are bend over metal 'tines', which need to be bent outward and down, to facilitate the removal of the roof finishing panel. TAKE GREAT CARE as the panel is made of a plastic 'board' material and can break!

Now, recline the passenger seat fully into it's most flat position, and move it as far forward as the track will allow.

CAREFULLY, pull down the headliner panel,and manouver it out of the passenger door opening, carefully and try NOT to bend it,(it will come with care).

Now you should have the panel out of the car.
Make sure than you use a fairly stiff brush, to remove all the debris from the original adhesive and foam, of the original headliner. Now you are ready to re-trim.

I use a supplier from the USA, that offers all kinds of colours and lengths, of OEM type material for this job. I recently bought 5 yards of the correct colour for the 2 XJ-S cars that I will be doing, for US$49.95 plus postage. There must be similar suppliers in the UK, that supply trimmers, with this material, such as WORLD UPHOLSTERY or WOOLIES???

Once you have all the pieces to re-trim, and after you have cleaned off any residues, measure up the amount of material you need for each piece and cut to size.(I find that a half inch overlap is sufficient for the cant rails and the rear quarter panels,and 2 inches for the main panel).

Next step is to use a decent spray adhesive onto the panels and to gently with CLEAN hands, lay the material onto the panel. Make sure that the overlaps are securely stuck down, and use common sense to make sure that you smooth it out without causing depressions or air pockets. Work from the centre outwards, lightly 'brushing' the material onto the adhesive, but not too firmly, or you will have depressions.

Keep all parts away from the family pets,(cats love to sleep on this stuff!), and let dry for a day or two, before reversing the process, and refitting in the car.
You will have to remember to make a cut for the interior light, and for the screws that fix the rear view and the sun visors and clips, but be careful, don't make the holes too big, or they will show.

If all goes well, you have replaced the headliner in your XJ-S for a fraction of the cost of the 'kits' that are sold by vendors that ask £240 or so! Plus you will have gained invaluable knowledge of your car!

I hope this helps.
Phil Morgan
JEC Canada region

[Mr.Ian]

I've not done this job as yet on my XJS but have read lots on the subject, the main key to a good result is the cleaning of the the old panel/biscuit to get rid of the remnants of the foam, otherwise it'll just sag again.

[555ttg]

Yes, it is crucial for a good result to make sure the base is clean and free from any debris from the previous headliner.

[555ttg]

I've just finished the 3rd headliner I have tackled, I am very pleased with the results. If anyone wants a picture or two, please email me as the pics are too big for the BB.
Phil

[poprivet]

Thanks to all for the above information. The headlining on mine has now failed, not an unexpected event as there were some large bubbles appearing for some time and it has now dropped. Wearing a hat supported it for a while without me looking too much like a nun but as the car is SORNed again it will have to wait until spring once I have built up the funds. Luckily I have found another job so I am hopeful it will be back on the road again in time for next years events.

[steve_m]

Try the jaguar XJS Club at http://www.xjsclub.org; they sell the complete thing, already covered for £174 or £184 depending on year. You'll have to pay £10 for your car to join but that is a one off payment that I think is well worth while.
Steve