<E28> Headliner discoloration - solution

["Richard F. Viehdorfer" <viehdorfer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As all E28 owners know, for some reason the fabric backed vinyl headliner
(which looks remarkably like linen or some form of treated cloth) has a
tendency to discolor in places. The area directly behind the side window
frame, and around the rear window come to mind. This at first looks like a
discoloration due to dirt or some contaminant, but is immune to all cleaning
efforts. I suspect it is simply some aged byproduct of the manufacturing
process finally rearing its ugly head.
As some of you will recall, I restored the leather upholstery in the car about
9 months ago. It's holding up nicely. At the time the seats and the console
were out of the car, I got a chance to look at this problem more closely, and
I thought there was no reason why the headliner couldn't have been cleaned and
dyed, just like any other article of vinyl. I snipped a piece of  headliner
that had not been exposed to the sun from behind the seat and sent it to
George at Leatherique. These were the people who provided me with the products
I purchased for my seat repair, and I was very pleased. George was at first
dubious that he could do anything, but he persevered and sent me a small
sample of water based dye which he felt would work.
Due to constraints on time and weather, I was unable until just recently to
try the dye, and the results are spectacular. It completely covers the
discoloration; there is no line of demarcation separating the dyed from the
undyed area, and you simply cannot tell anything was done. Some care is
required not to dye the black rubber and other dark areas nearby but that is
easily accomplished. I simply poured the dye into a cheap plastic container,
mixed, and applied it sparingly with a segment of slightly damp sponge. One
application wa all it took, and I have plenty left. After it dried and I was
certain it would work, I also touched up some small spots on the top of the
headliner behind the sunroof, and I will be cleaning and touching up those
areas on the sun roof that traditionally soil and wear as well. I also looked
at a friends 533i and his headliner is the same color; seems like most of them
are. We can do his with the same batch! If you have this problem and can't
remove it with anything, this is a perfect solution. Just make sure you send
in a sample of your liner. 

As always, the usual disclaimers apply....

Rick Viehdorfer
BMW CCA #148771
Rocky Mountain Chapter

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