PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => Pinto FAQ => Topic started by: blupinto on April 03, 2010, 09:55:11 PM

Title: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on April 03, 2010, 09:55:11 PM
I am blessed with a flawless original headliner in Ruby RedHot. I have a bottle of ArmorAll protectant. Is it wise to use that on the headliner, or might it weaken the threads and cause problems? I know to wipe gently and all. Thank you.
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: pintogirl on April 03, 2010, 10:01:41 PM
I don't think I would touch it. I specially don't think I would use Armorall. I have heard  bad stuff about it.

I don't know what to tell you to do to help preserve it?? Maybe ask an upholstery shop! I'm guessing someone here will be better help! :D
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on April 03, 2010, 10:07:50 PM
What bad things have you heard!?
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: dga57 on April 03, 2010, 10:21:35 PM
I'm not a big fan of ArmorAll either; I simply don't like the unnatural shine it leaves behind.  My gut instinct is if you have a 39 year old headliner that has remained flawless all these years, leave it alone!  It might last 39 more!  If you feel you absolutely must do something to it, Ford used to sell a full line of cleaning/maintenance products.  That was back in the seventies when I was selling cars, but they may still carry them.  Every Ford-labeled cleaning product I ever used was excellent.

Dwayne :smile:
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on April 03, 2010, 10:46:05 PM
Since the survivors of the previous owner ArmorAll'd the heck out of Ruby (yes even the floormats!) I thought it wouldn't be wise to stop putting protectant on the dash and other vinyl stuff, as I've heard horror stories of how dashboards and other vinyl stuff will more readily crack and self-destruct if you use protectant and then go cold turkey.  The dashboard and seats (vinyl part) seemed to soak the AA up. There was very little excess to wipe off.
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: pintogirl on April 04, 2010, 11:42:13 AM
I would probably have a dash pad (carpet type) made to cover the dash! That way the sun can't beat down on it all day!  As far a AA, I would try some of the other products out there. Like leather and vinyl protectant. I have just heard bad things about AA! I think I have something from Maquiers! (sp) I use it when I clean my seats.

As far as the headliner, again, I wouldn't touch it!!

Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: Starsky and Hutch on April 04, 2010, 01:23:28 PM
You need to clean the dash with a PH balanced soap 5.5,,, then you can put a vinyl protect product on it .....This is a good vinyl spray,, put carbroad on your glass or what ever to stop over spray http://www.autobarn.net/chnv-300.html (http://www.autobarn.net/chnv-300.html)
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on April 04, 2010, 02:46:46 PM
Again... WHAT bad things!?! I know Meguiar's is supposed to be good, but if ArmorAll is so bad, I would think it would be off the market by now. I have used AA on my first Pinto and my Fox Body Capri with no ill effects, and actually I do like shiny where appropriate. I do want to protect my dash but I'll pass right now on carpet dash pads because a) the black will fade into some hideous purple- which does NOT go with the red and black scheme, and b) I'm not crazy about the carpeted dash look. I would really like to know the bad things about AA so please chime in.
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: pintogirl on April 04, 2010, 02:57:01 PM
I heard that it actually helps dry out the vinyl. Heard that it does worse damage then not using it at all! Could be hear say, but I quit using it along time ago. Didn't want to chance it!!
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on April 04, 2010, 10:43:21 PM
I have been told if I used AA a couple times- then didn't for a long time the vinyl would get really messed up. How is Meguiar's better than ArmorAll?
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: phils toys on April 05, 2010, 10:16:33 AM
i persdonaly do like armor all  it turner the vynal  to more of a plastic and it still cracked and that was applying it every day or 3 at most.  we do not get as hot as your area eather  (at least not all the time , i think) summers average upper 70 maybe low 80's
i uhes eagle one wet wax  .I spray it on a rag and wipe down. only 2 or 3 times a year  it also has a plesent aroma the head liner should be cloth  at least on my bobcat it is. and i have done nothing to it.
phil.
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on April 05, 2010, 12:32:04 PM
My headliner is that same vinyl that most Pinto headliners are that have the faux "weave" texture. I think there's cloth in it but the color (and cloth itself) is petroleum-based, so it gets fragile and tears with frightening ease.I want to retain its elasticity so my fingers touching it won't produce a tear or the threads to break. :smile:
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: Windwoman on April 05, 2010, 01:15:53 PM
If you don't like Armor All  do you like Mothers they seem to have a nice selection of car products.
WW
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on April 05, 2010, 02:34:53 PM
I'm only familiar with Mothers polishes (aluminum wheel to be exact!)  ;)
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: dga57 on April 05, 2010, 04:41:48 PM
I'm only familiar with Mothers polishes (aluminum wheel to be exact!)  ;)

Becky,

I have used Mother's Back to Black with success on the carriage roof of my Collector's Series Lincoln.  It leaves more of what I'd call a luster than a shine and doesn't appear to have inflicted any damage in the nearly five years I've been using it.  While I'm still not sure whether I'd condone using ANY product on that headliner, Mother's Back to Black would probably be the one I'd try if I simply couldn't refrain!

Dwayne :smile:
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: dave1987 on April 05, 2010, 09:44:42 PM
Have you checked out Meguire's Vinyl And Rubber Protectant? It's what I use on all of my seats (vinyl) door panels and dash (plastic) with no complaints!
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: Yelby on April 07, 2010, 08:25:35 AM
Try Aerospace 303.
http://www.spaandpooldepot.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174_7&products_id=12&gclid=CKXOjsPX9KACFQtM5wodMV4fvw (http://www.spaandpooldepot.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174_7&products_id=12&gclid=CKXOjsPX9KACFQtM5wodMV4fvw)
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: dick1172762 on April 07, 2010, 05:41:53 PM
Do you really want to spray something on there that needs to be wiped off. You could do more harm than good.
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: beicholz on June 02, 2010, 01:43:30 PM
My Suggestion: Formula 303 http://www.303products.com/ (http://www.303products.com/)

I've used this stuff for years.   You can't buy it in stores.   It is used by the military to keep seals on jets like new and air tight.   This stuff rocks.   It soaks in and makes even the oldest vinyl, plastic, and tires look brand new.   And, it doesn't wash off easily.  Finally, it does no damage (unlike ArmorAll), and has 15 SPF for sun / fading protection.

Give me an old car with dry, brittle plastic and vinyl, and I'll have those parts looking new in an hour.   And they will stay that way.

My only caution: Be careful about painted plastic (e.g., the fake metal trim painted on plastic in certain areas of the Pinto like the climate control).  This stuff penetrates, and can make the silver trim fade.   Save it for seats, headliner, vinyl tops, tire, rubber seals all around, even the engine rubber parts.   I've used it for years on old cars, and have never had an issue.
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: Bigtimmay on June 02, 2010, 01:50:05 PM
Me personally i wouldnt use anything on the headliner unless its like a lightly damp cloth just to clean off dust if there is any.

I only say this because the headliner material shouldnt get alot of sun like the dash and if its getting sprayed with any kind of chemical it could deteriorate the thread holding the liner material together and then you could end up with problems of having to sew it back together.
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: blupinto on June 03, 2010, 06:28:29 PM
That is my actual concern- the headliner threads. I want those preserved! Wildfire's headliner threads are horribly brittle and so is Meanie's. Heck- Meanie's is in tatters because the threads rotted away. Is there any way to preserve the threads?
Title: Re: original headliner care
Post by: dave1987 on June 03, 2010, 09:43:59 PM
Although I recommended looking into Meguires products for a good headliner protector, I never use anything on mine.

I figure this: If the headliner is in one piece, it's better to just leave it alone and make contact with it as little as possible. After all, it's better to have a semi-dirty headliner than one that's falling down on your head or blocking your rear view vision!

Threads are going to deteriorate eventually, it's just a matter of time, there's no avoiding that. Prolonging the amount of time it takes for them to deteriorate can be done, I just don't know how.