Alcantara headliner retrofit

[jmciver]

Now the REAL DIY work begins….

Also, some tips (and a few pics) for removing the headliner from the car (a sedan anyway), after you have removed all of the parts on the headliner (visors, grab handles, etc)….

1. The BMW procedure says to go out the rear driver's side door. I used the passenger side, but it should not really matter which side you use.

2. Recline the front seats as far as they will go, especially on the side that you will take out the headliner. In my case, I have bucket seats installed so I unbolted the passenger side seat and tipped it all the way back.

3. Completely remove the weather stripping on the rear door that the headliner will come out. You want to minimize the amount you bend the headliner while getting it out and the extra inch or so with the weather stripping removed definitely helps.

4. I folded down the passenger side rear seat for a bit of extra clearance as well. Every little bit helps.

[DaiLyCS]

Wish I didn't come across this posts, now got me thinking 🤦*♂️.

[Taco_Bueno]

There's no way you can do this in an M4….right?

Please say no so I don't contemplate this

[White340]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Now the REAL DIY work begins….

Also, some tips (and a few pics) for removing the headliner from the car (a sedan anyway), after you have removed all of the parts on the headliner (visors, grab handles, etc)….

1. The BMW procedure says to go out the rear driver's side door. I used the passenger side, but it should not really matter which side you use.

2. Recline the front seats as far as they will go, especially on the side that you will take out the headliner. In my case, I have bucket seats installed so I unbolted the passenger side seat and tipped it all the way back.

3. Completely remove the weather stripping on the rear door that the headliner will come out. You want to minimize the amount you bend the headliner while getting it out and the extra inch or so with the weather stripping removed definitely helps.

4. I folded down the passenger side rear seat for a bit of extra clearance as well. Every little bit helps.

Can you post a pic of the roof from inside where the front dome light is? I hear a pop over some bumps and can't for the life of me figure out what it is up there that's making the noise. I have removed the dome light assembly completely and still get that popping sound. Thanks!

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Taco_Bueno

There's no way you can do this in an M4….right?

Please say no so I don't contemplate this

Why do you ask questions that you already know the answers to….? . But I understand the "internal debate" when it comes to some mods…

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by White340

Can you post a pic of the roof from inside where the front dome light is? I hear a pop over some bumps and can't for the life of me figure out what it is up there that's making the noise. I have removed the dome light assembly completely and still get that popping sound. Thanks!

Not sure how much this will help, but here you go…

[jmciver]

Finally got the headliner done this weekend! Patience is definitely a virtue here. I still say the visors were the hardest pieces to cover. However, the sheer size of the headliner and some of the intricate curves does make it a challenge. Yet getting it done is very rewarding! I can't say it is perfection, but I think I did a decent job "hiding" my mistakes and I am very happy with the results. I have not cut out all of the holes for the headliner components, but will do so once the glue has cured for a few days.

The headliner video posted a few posts above was invaluable when using different techniques on different sections of the headliner. The "oh shit" handle parts were a noteworthy challenge based on having to stretch the material. Also, doing small sections at a time is important as well. The glue has a reasonably long working time, but for an amateur, you still want to be able to take your time.

I ended up using 3 cans of the spray can glue I posted above. I also bought a small can of the original contact cement to help fill in very small areas when the spray glue was hard to use. I plan to let the headliner cure for a few days inside the house, under controlled temperature conditions. A bit longer than recommended by the glue manufacturer, but I am in no supper rush to put the headliner back in the car in the next few days anyway…

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

sick

[jmciver]

Got the headliner back into the car today and I am very pleased with the results. While not absolutely perfect, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am definitely glad I did this and it turned out well enough to keep my OCD in check and I know I will enjoy it . Definitely a more luxurious look, differentiating the F8x interior from a F3x with black interior.

Alcantara in a dark car interior is definitely hard to photograph, especially for an amateur with an iPhone. I don't think any pictures would do this look much justice as it looks much better in person. Also, while the fabric color is not black, but a dark charcoal (Alcantara 9002, same as the OP), the pictures and the lighting make the fabric look lighter, especially in contrast to the black trim pieces like the grab handles. But I took some anyway to show my final results which hopefully gives any would-be DIY'ers an idea of the look ….

So anyone with average to above average DIY skills who is thinking about tackling a similar project, I say go for it. Even as an avid DIY'er myself, I didn't originally think this type of project was within my reach until I saw this thread and did some additional research. Just takes some patience, well a lot of patience, but patience is technically pretty easy…

Lastly, if anyone is curious, my shift boot (which you can see in the last pic) is also Alcantara, but black (Alcantara 9040). I purchased this from Colby Wheels about a year ago. The iDrive trim piece next to it is covered in the same 9002 material I used for the headliner (I had some extra material and purchased a used iDrive trim piece off eBay as a test). Incidentally, the M Performance shift and e-brake boots, and center armrest from BMW are all black. But the Alcantara pieces in the GTS and CS models is dark charcoal. In the not too distant future I plan to change those items to match my new Alcantara stuff.

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Got the headliner back into the car today and I am very pleased with the results. While not absolutely perfect, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am definitely glad I did this and it turned out well enough to keep my OCD in check and I know I will enjoy it . Definitely a more luxurious look, differentiating the F8x interior from a F3x with black interior.

Alcantara in a dark car interior is definitely hard to photograph, especially for an amateur with an iPhone. I don't think any pictures would do this look much justice as it looks much better in person. Also, while the fabric color is not black, but a dark charcoal (Alcantara 9002, same as the OP), the pictures and the lighting make the fabric look lighter, especially in contrast to the black trim pieces like the grab handles. But I took some anyway to show my final results which hopefully gives any would-be DIY'ers an idea of the look ….

So anyone with average to above average DIY skills who is thinking about tackling a similar project, I say go for it. Even as an avid DIY'er myself, I didn't originally think this type of project was within my reach until I saw this thread and did some additional research. Just takes some patience, well a lot of patience, but patience is technically pretty easy…

Lastly, if anyone is curious, my shift boot (which you can see in the last pic) is also Alcantara, but black (Alcantara 9040). I purchased this from Colby Wheels about a year ago. The iDrive trim piece next to it is covered in the same 9002 material I used for the headliner (I had some extra material and purchased a used iDrive trim piece off eBay as a test). Incidentally, the M Performance shift and e-brake boots, and center armrest from BMW are all black. But the Alcantara pieces in the GTS and CS models is dark charcoal. In the not too distant future I plan to change those items to match my new Alcantara stuff.

Only catching up on this now.

Looks superb.

I have to get my F82 finished asap

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by jaylazy2020

The visors take time but thankfully the existing cheap plastic can be cut off in minutes and there is no residue to clean off

Did you literally cut the outer shell off to split them? I can't quite figure out how you managed to split them in half haha.

I recently began switching most of my 9002 wrapped trims to 9040, the 9002 just wasn't contrasting with carbon fiber quite how I wanted it to.. however it does mean re-doing the rear shelf which had the whole house filled with fumes from the contact adhesive, thought I'd never have to relive that haha.




I also took the opportunity to continue my laser cut design on the third brake light cover.

Also how did you manage with the curve on the rear of the headliner? (where it goes from flat to the window) I really wanna do mine but I worry I'll have to do a cut, I always one piece all my trims.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

Did you literally cut the outer shell off to split them? I can't quite figure out how you managed to split them in half haha.

Yes. Just take a sharp razor blade and gently/carefully cut along the seam of the visors. It is just a very thin vinyl material that covers the foam core (which is two halves). Once the vinyl skin is removed, the two visor halves will just come apart as it is the vinyl skin that is holding them together. The mirror mechanism is "snapped" in place on one of the halves. You will need to carefully pry it out as you don't want to damage the tabs that hold it in place (as the tabs are made of the foam).

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Yes. Just take a sharp razor blade and gently/carefully cut along the seam of the visors. It is just a very thin vinyl material that covers the foam core (which is two halves). Once the vinyl skin is removed, the two visor halves will just come apart as it is the vinyl skin that is holding them together. The mirror mechanism is "snapped" in place on one of the halves. You will need to carefully pry it out as you don't want to damage the tabs that hold it in place (as the tabs are made of the foam).

Jmciver has become the alacantara guru and describes the visor process perfectly.


I really need to get mine finished

[jmciver]

Thought I would post a quick update. This Alcantara upgrade stuff can become addicting ….

To compliment the headliner, I upgraded the arm rest, e-brake boot, shifter boot, door handle trim and knee pad to the 9002 Alcantara. The knee pad and door handle trim both have the stock matching stitching and the others have a weave M-stitch pattern that matches the steering wheel….

[swagon]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Thought I would post a quick update. This Alcantara upgrade stuff can become addicting ….

To compliment the headliner, I upgraded the arm rest, e-brake boot, shifter boot, door handle trim and knee pad to the 9002 Alcantara. The knee pad and door handle trim both have the stock matching stitching and the others have a weave M-stitch pattern that matches the steering wheel….

You didn't do the stitching yourself, did you?

I need to find somebody who could wrap the stock shift knob and gaitor in Alcantara. I want to mimic the E30 Sport Evo interior with that

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Thought I would post a quick update. This Alcantara upgrade stuff can become addicting ….

To compliment the headliner, I upgraded the arm rest, e-brake boot, shifter boot, door handle trim and knee pad to the 9002 Alcantara. The knee pad and door handle trim both have the stock matching stitching and the others have a weave M-stitch pattern that matches the steering wheel….

Originally Posted by jmciver

Thought I would post a quick update. This Alcantara upgrade stuff can become addicting ….

To compliment the headliner, I upgraded the arm rest, e-brake boot, shifter boot, door handle trim and knee pad to the 9002 Alcantara. The knee pad and door handle trim both have the stock matching stitching and the others have a weave M-stitch pattern that matches the steering wheel….

Incredible work. As good as any professional I've seen.

I'm embarrassed to say my 90 % complete roof liner is still not finished let alone installed.

I may need your advice via pm.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by swagon

You didn't do the stitching yourself, did you?
I need to find somebody who could wrap the stock shift knob and gaitor in Alcantara. I want to mimic the E30 Sport Evo interior with that

Ha, ha, unfortunately I don’t have that stitching skill set, but I did glue/install everything based on what I learned with the headliner install….

The shift boot, e-brake boot and armrest cover were purchased from Redline Goods who allow for a lot of customization of those pieces at very reasonable prices. You just need to install them yourself or have them installed for you. In the case of the armrest cover and door handle trims, you need to glue the new cover over the existing piece. The armrest was probably the most challenging, but I made it a bit harder because I took apart the sliding armrest (a noteworthy PITA), but made gluing the new cover easier IMHO. The knee pad also required drilling out the rivets that hold it to the center console.

The door handle trim cover was actually a collaboration effort between myself and Redline Goods to make a cover template for them as they did not have any door handle trim covers for the F3x/F8x. You should be able to purchase them soon, getting the same type of customization for them (i.e fabric choice, stitching, etc) as with their other pieces. I had the knee pad done by a local upholstery shop using some extra Alcantara fabric I had left over.

[tbone24000]

those visors tho! i've done this in the past 2 cars i've owned and didn't think i'd need to in this one until I saw this thread. the Alcantara bug is real. Great Work!

[jaylazy2020]

We’re you guys able to shake the alcantara around this corner?

On my first attempt I didn’t have the heat gun so I ended up cutting it so it either needs to be stitched or re done.

[jaylazy2020]

That’s my first(poor) attempt

[jaylazy2020]

I moved to Germany for work and theF82 has been amazing

I conceded defeat on the visors as I’ve no time at the moment so I posted them to trimmer in Uk and he did an amazing job.

Now I need to find another headliner and ge it fitted