I'm trying to get ahold of material for replacing my headliner, and the local trim shop is recommending 1/4", foam-backed material. I've read on volvo forums and FAQs that the 1/8" material is preferred, as the 1/4" is too thick for the trim to fit back on. The trim shop insists they've had no problems with the larger foam, and that they recommend it because it hides imperfections in the headliner board.

Has anyone worked with the 1/4" material to replace their headliner? How did it work out for you?

The trim shop insists they've had no problems with the larger foam, and that they recommend it because it hides imperfections in the headliner board
SNIP///

The reason the Trim Shop is telling you they have no issue using the 1/4 inch is because they do not have the proper knowledge working on Volvo with or without a factory Sunroof and its cheaper to install the 1/4inch since they already have it in stock because most of the cars they work on are American cars without sunroofs.

Why should they care what they use its not going into their car, “Trim shops never have problems with what they install, always the consumer has the issues, and they can tell you anything they like just to get the job”?

Most trim shops don’t work on European cars with or without sunroofs!

The reason they tell you that the 1/4 inch will hide any imperfections in your headliner board is because their lack of knowledge.

If the 1/8th inch material is to thin and incorrect for the board because of imperfections existing in the headliner board why does Volvo, Saab, Jaguar, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Landrover, Audi & VW all use 1/8th .

I’m sure the Automobile Manufactures Engineers are not wrong by using the 1/8th inch, but im very certain you are being feed a big lie from this trim shop.

Some Examples to cinsider:

#1) Volvo 740 dome light is held in with 4 pressure legs which holds it into the Headliner board, there are no screws holding it in. The additional thickness of 1/4 inch, just the foam on the Headliner back will continue to push out the dome light from the Headliner Board because the material is too thick.

#2) 1/4 inch material will force the plastic binding around the sunroof up-word about a 1/8 of an inch; the Sunroof covered in the 1/4 inch will add an additional 1/4 inch too. Along with all those factors in play now your Electric sunroof motor will have to work over time to compress the additional thickness of the material so that the sunroof can be driven back through the lower tub assembly.

#3) Even a hand crank sunroof (Nonelectric) will have to much stress on the Selector Gates and guides. I bet the trim shop did not tell you any of that pertaining to the function of your sunroof. Again you’re dealing with people that are not qualified to work on your car.

#4) Thicknesses of materials has no bearing on imperfections in the headliner board, that’s the trim shops job to properly remove all the old foam backing and prepare the headliner board for the new material.

This is what my company does here in Central Florida, were responsible for 3 Volvo dealerships performing these same duties on a daily bases.

Remember:


There is a tremendous difference between working on a Buick, Ford, Chevy versus a BMW, Volvo, Mercedes or even a Land Rover.

Sunroof Knowledge is a Must in order to simply just replace most Headliners in today’s Car Market.

American cars use ¼ inch thick Foam Back Material that is designed for cars "With Out Sunroofs".
www.HeadlinerExpress.com is commitment to using only the Factory 1/8th to 3/16 inch Foam Back Material as Original offered on European cars "With Factory Sunroofs".

Let me know if i can help you in any way,

Bill