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LilSparkPlug · Last edited by LilSparkPlug on Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:50 am; edited 2 times in total

Due to many requests through PM's I am posting my own personal how-to on how I matched my pillars to my dash and dyed my headliner. I understand there is another thread, but this is a different way to do things, and the headliner dying uses different products.

I did this mod nearly four years ago (both pillars and headliner with the exception of the triple pod which was done in December of last year. There are no chips, nothing has faded and this is the way I did it.

First you must remove the pillars from the car. Here is how:

Front A-Pillars and Rear C-Pillars: Put your fingers underneath the top of the pillar and pull downward and towards yourself. These will pop right out.

B-Pillars: To remove these, put your fingers underneath the triangle shaped cover over the seatbelt and push upward. You will find a large Torx bolt holding the seatbelt in. Its a T-50. Using a 1/2" drive rachet and the proper Torx socket, remove this. Using anything smaller than a 1/2" drive if these have never been removed before will potentially strip them. Once the seatbelt is removed the pillar will pull downward like the other four.

If you want to dye your headliner, now is a good time as you need to remove the pillars to remove the liner. Here is how that is done.

Sunroof Headliners, if you don't have a Sunroof or "Oh Shit" handles skip to number 5.

1. On each of the "Oh-shit" handles there are little pieces which push in. Grab a flathead screwdriver (if you don't have nails) and pop these out to remove the pieces. Once the pieces are removed there are Torx and Philips head screws that need to be removed. Take those down and the "oh-shit" handles will be removed.

2. Remove the welt trim from around the Sunroof panel. Be CAREFUL with the welt trim, if you bend it too harshly the metal inside of it will crack, and its quite expensive from the dealership. Put it in a safe place and try to keep it in the shape it was in originally. Try not to stretch it out.

3. To remove the Sunshade look up at your sunroof, there are three torx screws on either side of the glass on the black reinforcement perpendicular to the glass. Remove these six screws and the glass pops upwards. Shut the Sunshade and standing on the rocker panel look down at the sunshade. You will see metal clips (four of them) in white plastic clips. Push these in with your flat head screwdriver and the sunshade will pop out.

4. To remove the sunroof button place a flat head screw driver underneath the button and pry gently outward. It will pop out so you can unplug it. There is also a metal bracket behind it that you may want to remove. Mine had a phillips head screw, but some others I have seen have had Torx screws. Set these aside.

5. Next is the visors. These are pretty easy. There are phillips and torx screws holding them in. Remove both of these and the visor will come down. Next remove the bolts on the clips for the visors and take those off as well.

6. Head back to the rear of the headliner. There are three plastic rivets/Christmas trees holding it up. You may want to purchase some black ones beforehand so they match the headliner, or you could simply spray yours while you are spraying the liner if you wanted to. The best way to remove these is with needlenose pliers or wire cutters. Take a flathead screwdriver and pry down each side gently. Once you get it down enough to fit the needlenose pliers or wire cutter in there, do so. Then wiggle them downward in a left and right motion so as not to damage these.

Open all four doors. Pull down your door trim weatherstripping. Put your front seats all the way forwards and lean them all the way back. Pull the headliner out whichever door is more convienient for you. All four doors need to be opened and remain open as you pulled the weatherstripping down.

NOTE: I removed the clips under my headliner for my sunroof so that the sunshade retracts COMPLETELY. This way the sunshade doesn't sit with the edge of the sunroof. They are two small white clips at the end of the sunshade's tracks on the roof. Just pop them out and the sunshade will retract completely out of sight. Look at my pictures to see what I mean.

Now that you have everything removed.....its time to prep.

Here is what you will need for the process:
Pillars:
NOTE!: If you have EVER put a silicone based product, I.e. Armor All, Son of a Gun, etc on your pillars the paint WILL not adhere properly even with the adhesion promoter. You will need to strip the plastic of the remnants of the product.

- Gray Scuff pads, red ones are far too harsh for the plastic and can leave marks. Make sure to use these wet not dry.
- Wax/tar/grease remover, Dawn or a car wash soap without silicone or wax in it.
- SEM Classic Coat 17233 DAIM/CHRYS AZ AGATE - 1 can if you spray heavy buy 2, but you should only need 1.
- BullDog Adhesion Promoter - 1 can

Headliner/Visors:

- DupliColor Vinyl/Fabric Dye Spray Can - 4 cans (You'll use ~3.5) to get it REALLY black without streaks

Now we can get started on the pillars.

1. Clean the pillars well with your soap/wax remover or the like.
2. Take your gray scuff pad (wet) and with a bit of soap added wetsand the pillars. Don't try to gouge into them, just wetsand them gently for an abrasive surface. Dry them well.
3. Clean them again, but don't touch them with bare hands, use a powder free latex glove or something of the sort, your skins natural oils will cause fisheyes.
4. Spray 2-3 coats of the Bulldog ONLY. Letting it flash 2-3 minutes in between coats.
5. Now apply your 2-3 coats ONLY of the SEM color. Spray this after the 2-3 minute BullDog flash time. Wet on wet is best for Bulldog to work as intended.
6. Allow them to sit at least 24 hours before handling and reinstalling. Clear coat is not neccessary.

Headliner:

1. Make sure the headliner is clean and free of any debris or stains. If there are stains from smoking, or other random acts of mindlessness the easiest way to remove them is by using glass cleaner (yes...glass cleaner) and a lint free towel.
2. Taking your Dupli Color (first can) start spraying. Spray your first coat left to right with 50% overlap on each coat to be sure.
3. Your next coat should be front to back
4. Then spray Diagnolly from one corner to the other. Spraying in these different patterns allows you to get the most coverage of the threads on the headliner.
5. After your last coat, using a fine hair brush, brush the fabric. Don't do this when the paint is wet. Wait a couple of minutes after you spray your last coat and are satisfied with it to brush the headliner. Brush it LIGHTLY. The intention of this is so that your headliner won't feel hard as a rock when you touch it.
6. Wait at least 3-4 hours before handling these. You put alot of paint on the fabric, you don't want to wear it, plus it will smell for quite some time. Its best to wait 24 hours before reinstallation.

Visors:

1. Tape off the stickers and mirrors using painter's masking tape, not regular masking tape it doesn't always work well with automotive paints.
2. Repeat steps 2-6 on the headliner section.

Reinstall everything after 24 hours and you're done!!! Here are some pictures of mine.

NOTE: In these pictures my Sunshade is wrapped in BLACK SUEDE. I haven't gotten around to buying another one to re-do it in the factory fabric. That is the color difference!

Pillars/Headliner:

Sunshade retracted completely:

Visors:

[/b]

I guess I should update this for 2010, I've since done this on the SXT and here are some updated pictures of the SRT with all of the headliner hardware done black to match:

And the SXT:

_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

supertrick_05 · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject:

Now THAT is a well-done how-do, my dear! I'll be following this when I do this...eventually Smile

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*1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE*

hansken_yo · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

Very Very Nice... Something on my list of things to do.

Thanks a lot!! thumbup

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thttxboy · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Wow no offence to ur car ( wich is beautiful by the way) now that I actually see how it looks with it all black I actually dont like it. I was planning on doing this since i got a spare headliner but I's just too much black for me. But man ur quality of work is amazing, u would never guess that headliner was another color before.

LilSparkPlug · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

None taken at all. Different strokes for different folks. I absolutely love it, but its not for everyone. Smile

And its not all black persay, since the pillars are dark quartz like the dash...which is more gray. If you were to paint them black they wouldn't match, it would look ghetto. Smile

Oh and thank you! blob3

_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

jetas · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

Nice Write-up LSP thumbup

One question though, Would i be able to use this method to do teh WHOLE interior? I got the crappy Quotes

Taupe

color crap and i want the black look.
_________________
-J.J. | Official I sold my Neon Member #008
1989 Yota PU- "Tammy"

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Swordfish2Cowboy · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject:

Torx bolt is a size 50 for the front seatbelts on the B pillar.
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LilSparkPlug · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:45 am Post subject:

Thanks Swordfish, couldn't remember its been almost four years. This was all from memory.

Jetas, yes the same procedure for the pillars would be used for the entire dash.
_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

jetas · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

LilSparkPlug · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:57 am Post subject:

The doors are just made of plastic. Honestly your best bet to make your life easier would be to find a wrecked car with someone selling the door panels off it. Even if its an SRT. This way you can swap out. But yes....same thing for the doors. Just make sure you dismantle them completely meaning the handle, buttons, etc. so you get a good color change.
_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

Ragin_SRT · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:40 am Post subject:

subscribed & nice how to!!
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Crane 14's

jetas · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:19 am Post subject:

LilSparkPlug · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

Thanks Ragin!!

YW Jetas, good luck!!!
_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

Diablo0 · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject:

Great how-to! Had been thinking about doing this for awhile... still debating on it Laughing

_________________
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Black '02 Neon R/T | White '02 Neon R/T - SRT-4 Engine Swap

^^^ no, that isn't what I look like haha
Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value. - Albert Einstein

LilSparkPlug · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jason! Smile

I love it....most do, some don't. Its very easy to do and will last awhile if done right. I think it would compliment your black R/T nicely....that sexy little car.
_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

Ragin_SRT · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

LilSparkPlug · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

Of which?

Headliner: Probably 5 or 6 when it was fully covered, possibly more.

Pillars: 3 only. No more, not even if you want to.
_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

honduhHunter · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

Nice & fully detailed write-up. Results are clean. Car looks bada$$ too. Keep up the hard work

NeonNick
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2000 Plymouth Neon 3 speed auto
2005 Dodge Neon SXT 5 speed

wiggyx · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject:

Badass write-up Crystal. I would totally do this if I weren't in the middle of like six other projects.
_________________

blueneo03 · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:12 pm Post subject:

so when you said a fine brush do u mean like a hair brush or what? just tryin to see it and makin sure i would have all the RIGHT supplies.. and how does yours feel? like does it still feel like the normal headliner? cuz i was thinkin about maybe recovering it in some extra fabric like from walmart..
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theTeejmiester · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:10 am Post subject:

if you want to recover it go to a local fabric store and get some headliner fabric,i bought three yards that i have sitting in my closet for 30 bucks with the sales they have going on right now at joanes.its a shame i may never use it though,i covered my headliner with suede to match my leather seats...impulse buys ftl
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Swordfish2Cowboy · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject:

LilSparkPlug · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:51 am Post subject:

Late reply but you could use a fine hair brush....yes. Mine feels like a regular headliner.
_________________
- Crystalmarie

Marakka wrote:

Its always good to know the competition. Its a fierce world out there....

My Ultimate Lighting How To:
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?p=606624#606624

OB · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:41 am Post subject:

Excellent write up. Damn now I'm gonna have to do all this stuff...

Smile

Swordfish2Cowboy · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:

Sykora · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:08 am Post subject:

Crystal- is there a special story behind your steering wheel cover??
_________________
-Eric

ZeroChad · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

Where do you find the Bulldog adhesion promoter? I've looked at a few stores around here and hobby lobby, and I haven't seen any yet.

I'll try some hardware stores tomorrow I suppose.
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Chad | Log

Official "I'm Going to Drive My Neon till it Dies" Club #2

Swordfish2Cowboy · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject:

Swordfish2Cowboy · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:09 am Post subject:

I did this last night. Turned out really well, except I think the sun shade might have warped a bit. Also I broke the handle for it when I was prying it off. And I left right after I painted the sun shade so it's a bit harder feeling. And the brush I used wasn't as fine as it should have been. But it still looks really good. Except one spot. But I'm saying though! Razz

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Caraudioholic24 · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:30 am Post subject:

Where can I get a couple of cans of the
SEM Classic Coat 17233 DAIM/CHRYS AZ AGATE. I take it its from the dealer.

Do you get the other stuff from a shop locally crystal or online.
Only thing Im worried about it how hard the fabric will feel after spraying it. I guess if u brush it after the last coat it will be ok!!!!
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