BEST FABRIC FOR CAR HEADLINER – What Material Should You Use?

Replacing Your Car Roof Lining? Start With the Right Fabric.

If your car's roof lining is sagging, falling down or you're completely recovering the headliner yourself, one of the biggest questions you'll need to answer is:

What fabric should I use?

There are countless fabrics available online, but not every fabric is suitable for a car headliner.

The wrong material can be difficult to install, wrinkle easily, fail to follow the contours of the headliner board, or simply not look right once it's installed.

After years of specialising in automotive headlining, we've worked with a wide range of fabrics, colours and finishes.

So here's our guide to choosing the best fabric for a car headliner. (This webpage contains eBay affilate links / sponsored by eBay)

---

🥇 WHAT IS THE BEST FABRIC FOR A CAR HEADLINER?

For a standard factory-style car roof lining, our preferred option is:

FOAM-BACKED AUTOMOTIVE HEADLINER FABRIC

This is the type of material specifically designed for automotive roof lining applications.

Unlike ordinary upholstery fabric, automotive headliner fabric generally has a foam backing which helps provide the soft, padded appearance associated with a factory headliner.

It's also designed to be flexible enough to follow the curves and contours of a headliner board.

For a traditional factory-style finish:

Foam-backed automotive headliner fabric is the way to go. 

🧵 WHY OUR HEADLINER FABRIC IS DIFFERENT

HIGH-QUALITY PROTECTIVE BACK STITCH

One of the features we specifically look for in our headliner fabric is the protective backing/stitch layer over the foam.

This might not sound like a big deal when you're simply looking at a roll of fabric, but it can make a big difference during installation.

When you're recovering a headliner, you need to position the fabric accurately over the board after the adhesive has been applied.

Our protective backing helps protect the foam backing during handling and installation, making it easier to work with the fabric and, where necessary, carefully reposition it on the board without the foam breaking down or pulling away prematurely.

And here's something many people don't realise:

NOT ALL BACK STITCHING IS THE SAME.

There are cheaper headliner fabrics available that may look similar at first glance, but the backing construction can be noticeably different.

With lower-quality alternatives, the protective backing can separate or fall away from the foam too easily during installation, making the fabric harder to handle and potentially affecting the finished result.

When you're spending hours removing, cleaning, preparing and recovering your headliner, the last thing you want is to fight with the fabric because the backing isn't holding together properly.

---

🏆 WE BUY FOR QUALITY — NOT JUST PRICE

We don't just sell headliner fabric because it looks good on a roll.

We use this stuff every day.

We've spent over a decade and more than 10,000 hours working with automotive headliners, recovering thousands of vehicle interiors and learning what materials actually perform well during the installation process.

We've tried different fabrics.

We've seen what works.

We've seen what doesn't.

And we've seen the difference that small details in fabric construction can make when you're actually trying to recover a headliner.

That's why we choose the materials we sell.

Our goal isn't to sell you the cheapest fabric possible.

Our goal is to supply good-quality materials that give you the best chance of getting a good result.

Because the last thing we want is for someone to buy one of our DIY kits, attempt their headliner, have problems with the material and then end up needing to return it.

We'd rather get it right the first time.

---

🧵 THIS IS WHAT GOES INTO OUR DIY KITS

When you purchase one of our DIY headliner fabric & glue kits, you're not simply getting a random roll of fabric matched with some adhesive.

You're getting materials we've selected based on our real-world experience recovering headliners every day.

Our philosophy is simple:

If we wouldn't want to use it in our own headlining work, we don't want to sell it to you.

That's why our DIY kits use the same type of quality-focused materials we trust in our own work.

You're not just buying fabric.

You're buying from someone who actually uses it.

---

🧵 WHY CAN'T I JUST USE NORMAL FABRIC?

This is one of the most common questions we get.

You might find a fabric you really like at a fabric shop and think:

"Why can't I just glue this onto my headliner?"

The problem is that ordinary fabric isn't necessarily designed for this application.

A proper automotive headliner needs to:

• Follow curves
• Stretch appropriately
• Conform to contours
• Have a suitable backing
• Work with automotive adhesives
• Withstand the conditions inside a vehicle
• Provide the correct finished appearance

A fabric that looks great on a roll may not behave the same way once you're trying to install it over a large, curved headliner board.

---

🧽 WHAT IS THE FOAM BACKING FOR?

The foam backing is an important part of traditional headliner fabric.

It provides:

✔ A softer finished appearance

✔ Padding between the fabric and board

✔ The familiar factory-style headliner look

✔ A suitable surface for the adhesive system

Over time, however, this foam can deteriorate.

That's why old headliners eventually begin to sag.

The foam breaks down, the fabric separates from the board, and eventually the fabric starts hanging down.

However with the correct application, the correct high quality foam backing, we can make it last longer than the original factory headliner.

---

🚗 THE MOST POPULAR HEADLINER FABRIC TYPES

There isn't necessarily one fabric that's perfect for every vehicle.

Different vehicles use different colours, textures and finishes.

Here are some of the main options we work with.

---

1️⃣ VELOUR HEADLINER FABRIC

A Popular Factory-Style Finish

Velour is one of the most common styles used for automotive headliners.

It has a slightly softer and more textured appearance compared with flat-knit materials.

It's a great option if you're trying to retain a traditional factory appearance.

Advantages:

✅ Factory-style appearance

✅ Soft texture

✅ Available in multiple colours

✅ Suitable for many older and newer vehicles

Best for:

Restoring a traditional factory-style interior.

---

2️⃣ FLAT KNIT HEADLINER FABRIC

Clean, Modern & Factory-Looking

Flat-knit headliner fabric has a more uniform appearance than traditional velour.

It can be an excellent choice when you want a clean, understated finish.

We stock several shades of flat-knit fabric, including different grey and darker tones.

Advantages:

✅ Clean appearance

✅ Modern factory look

✅ Good for matching certain OEM interiors

✅ Available in multiple shades

Best for:

Factory-style restorations where the original material has a flatter appearance.

---

3️⃣ SUEDE HEADLINER FABRIC

For a More Custom Interior

If you're not trying to reproduce the original factory headliner, suede can completely change the appearance of the interior.

A black suede headliner, for example, can create a much darker and more premium-looking cabin.

Suede-style materials are particularly popular for:

• Custom interiors
• Blackout interiors
• Performance vehicles
• Luxury-style builds
• Starlight headliners
• Custom embossing

Advantages:

✅ Premium appearance

✅ Custom look

✅ Excellent with starlight installations

✅ Works well with blacked-out interiors

Best for:

Custom headliners rather than strict factory restoration.

---

🎨 WHAT COLOUR HEADLINER SHOULD YOU USE?

This can be surprisingly difficult.

A colour that looks like "light grey" on a computer screen may look completely different inside your vehicle.

Interior lighting, seats, plastics, carpets and trim can all affect how a colour appears.

That's why we recommend comparing the fabric against your existing interior whenever possible.

---

🩶 OUR HEADLINER FABRIC COLOURS

We currently offer a range of colours and finishes, including options such as:

#1 EBONY VELOUR

A darker black/ebony traditional velour.

#2 DARK GREY VELOUR

A darker grey factory-style option.

#3 LIGHT GREY VELOUR

A lighter traditional velour.

#4 EBONY FLAT KNIT

A dark flat-knit finish.

#5 ANTHRACITE / CHARCOAL BLACK KNIT

A darker charcoal-style finish.

#6 LIGHT OYSTER

A lighter beige/oyster-style colour used in various factory interiors.

#7 LIGHT GREY FLAT KNIT

A popular lighter grey flat-knit option.

#8 FAWN

A warmer beige/tan interior colour.

#9 MID GREY FLAT KNIT

A darker grey flat-knit option suitable for certain later-model interiors.

#10 BLACK SUEDE

A custom black suede option.

We continue to expand our range, with 11 fabric colours/styles currently available across our selection.

---

⚠️ DON'T ASSUME YOUR CAR'S FABRIC COLOUR

One of the biggest mistakes people make when ordering headliner fabric online is assuming:

"My headliner is grey, so I'll just buy grey."

There can be huge differences between:

• Light Grey
• Mid Grey
• Dark Grey
• Titanium
• Anthracite
• Charcoal
• Oyster
• Fawn
• Beige

And factory colours can vary between models, years and interior packages.

---

🧪 WANT TO SEE THE FABRIC BEFORE BUYING?

If you're unsure which colour matches your interior, we offer fabric samples.

This is particularly useful if you're trying to match an existing factory interior.

Instead of guessing from a photograph on a screen, you can physically compare the sample with your:

• Seats
• Door trims
• Pillars
• Dash
• Carpet
• Existing interior

ORDER A HEADLINER FABRIC SAMPLE - Click Here to Buy on eBay (Sponsored by eBay/Affilate link)

This can be a much safer option than ordering several metres of fabric only to discover that the colour isn't quite what you expected.

---

📏 HOW MUCH HEADLINER FABRIC DO I NEED?

This depends on your vehicle.

As a general guide:

UTE

Approximately 1 metre

SEDAN

Approximately 2 metres

WAGON

Approximately 2.5 metres

However, these are only general guidelines.

The actual amount can change depending on:

• Headliner size
• Headliner shape
• Sunroof
• Panoramic roof
• Roof-mounted DVD systems
• Factory entertainment systems
• Number of separate panels
• Whether pillars are also being recovered

If you're unsure, contact us before ordering.

---

🚘 VEHICLE-SPECIFIC HEADLINER FABRIC

One of the easiest ways to get the right amount of material is to use a vehicle-specific DIY kit.

We have kits available for a range of popular Australian vehicles.

HOLDEN

VE Commodore

VF Commodore

WM

VX / VT / VY / VZ

FORD

AU Falcon

BA Falcon

BF Falcon

FG Falcon

Ford Territory SY / SY2 / SZ

And other applications.

These kits can include the appropriate amount of fabric and adhesive for the particular vehicle.

---

🧴 DON'T FORGET THE GLUE

The best fabric in the world won't help if you use the wrong adhesive.

Headliner fabric needs to be installed using an appropriate adhesive designed for the application.

Our preferred adhesive for many complete headliner recoveries is:

T65 HEADLINER GLUE

We also use and recommend other suitable products for particular applications, including:

Shop our T65 Headliner Glue: CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Car Builders Headliner Glue Can: CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EABY

Permatex Carpet & Headliner Adhesive: CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

3M HI-TACK 76 Spray Adhesive: CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

---

🛒 BUY FABRIC OR GET THE COMPLETE KIT

Once you've worked out your colour and quantity, you have a few options.

🧵 OPTION 1 – FABRIC ONLY

Buy the amount of headliner fabric you require.

Great if you already have suitable adhesive.

🧴 OPTION 2 – FABRIC + GLUE

Buy the fabric together with the adhesive you'll need.

🔧 OPTION 3 – VEHICLE-SPECIFIC DIY KIT

Get the fabric and adhesive together in a package designed around your vehicle.

📖 OPTION 4 – ADD THE DIY GUIDE

If this is your first headliner, add Headlining Secrets so you have the instructions and techniques before you begin.

---

⭐ WHAT FABRIC WOULD WE CHOOSE?

If you asked us:

"Reece, what fabric should I use for my car?"

Our answer would be:

If you want a factory restoration:

Match the original style as closely as possible.

Velour or flat-knit depending on the vehicle.

If you want a modern/custom interior:

Consider suede.

If you're unsure about colour:

Order a sample first.

If you're doing a first-time DIY:

Use a proper automotive foam-backed headliner fabric.

---

⚠️ DON'T BUY THE CHEAPEST FABRIC YOU CAN FIND

A headliner can take several hours to remove, prepare, recover and reinstall.

The fabric is a relatively small part of the overall cost of the project.

Using a cheap or unsuitable material can make the job much harder and can affect the finished appearance.

Buy the right material the first time.

---

📖 WANT TO LEARN HOW TO INSTALL IT?

Choosing the fabric is only the first step.

You still need to know:

• How to remove the old fabric
• How to clean the old foam
• How to prepare the board
• How to apply adhesive
• How to position the fabric
• How to work around curves
• How to avoid wrinkles
• How to trim openings
• How to finish the edges
• How to reinstall the headliner

That's why we created:

HEADLINING SECRETS

DIY Car Headliner Repair eBook + Bonus Video Walk-Throughs

For $24.95, you'll get our detailed DIY guide plus bonus instructional videos covering the headliner recovery process.

---

🎥 LEARN FROM REAL HEADLINER PROJECTS

Our video content covers real vehicles and real headliner work, including popular Australian models.

You'll see examples of:

Ford Falcon

Holden Commodore

Ford Territory

and other vehicles.

The videos complement the written guide and help you understand what the process actually looks like.

---

🚗 WANT TO CREATE SOMETHING CUSTOM?

If you're not interested in simply replacing your original factory headliner, we also offer a separate Custom Headliners course.

That course focuses on projects such as:

✨ Fibre-optic starlight headliners

✨ Custom embossing

✨ Custom suede interiors

✨ Other custom headliner techniques

Custom Headliners is a separate product and isn't included with Headlining Secrets.

---

🏆 OUR SIMPLE HEADLINER FABRIC FORMULA

FACTORY RESTORATION

Match the original fabric style + colour.

CUSTOM INTERIOR

Consider suede or another premium finish.

UNSURE ABOUT COLOUR

Order a sample.

DIY PROJECT

Use proper automotive foam-backed headliner fabric.

COMPLETE PROJECT

Fabric + correct adhesive + Headlining Secrets guide.

---

🛒 SHOP OUR HEADLINER FABRICS

HEADLINER FABRIC SAMPLES

Try the colour before committing to a larger quantity. CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

FULL SELECTION OF HEADLINER FABRIC

Choose your colour, finish and quantity. CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

VEHICLE-SPECIFIC FABRIC + GLUE KITS

Fabric and adhesive packages for popular vehicles.

Holden VE VF WM 2m Fabric + x2 Glue (SEDAN)(#5 BLACK): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Holden VE WM 2m Fabric + x2 Glue (SEDAN)(#7 LIGHT GREY): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Ford FG Falcon 2m Fabric + x2 Glue (SEDAN)(#6 LIGHT OYSTER): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Holden VF 2.5m + x2 Glue (WAGON)(#9 Grey/Titanium): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Holden VE 2.5m + x2 Glue (WAGON)(#7 LIGHT GREY): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Ford Territory 2.5m + x3 Glue (Early Models SY SY2)(#7 LIGHT GREY): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Ford Territory 2.5m + x3 Glue (Late Models SZ)(#6 LIGHT OYSTER): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Holden VX VT VY VZ VE VF 1m Fabric + x1 Glue (UTE)(#5 BLACK): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Ford AU-BF / Holden VX-VE 1m Fabric + x1 Glue (UTE)(#7 LIGHT GREY): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Ford Falcon FG 1m Fabric + x1 Glue (UTE)(#6 LIGHT OYSTER): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Holden VF Headliner Kit 2m + x2 Glue (SEDAN)(#9 Grey/Titanium): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EBAY

Holden VF Headliner Kit 1m + x1 Glue (UTE)(#9 Grey/Titanium): CLICK HERE TO BUY ON EABY

---

📖 GET THE GUIDE BEFORE YOU START

If you're about to recover your headliner yourself, don't just buy the fabric and hope for the best.

Learn the process first.

HEADLINING SECRETS

DIY Car Headliner Repair eBook + Bonus Videos

ONLY $24.95

Learn the techniques, understand the materials and avoid the mistakes that can ruin an otherwise good headliner recovery.

---

🚘 READY TO CHOOSE YOUR FABRIC?

Whether you're restoring your car to its original factory appearance or creating something completely custom, choosing the right headliner fabric is the first step.

Choose the right material.

Choose the right colour.

Use the right adhesive.

Learn the correct installation technique.

And if you're doing it yourself:

Make sure you know what you're doing before you start.

Shop our headliner fabric range, fabric samples and DIY kits —