How to Install Foam Backed Headliner

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Headliners or hull liners are great for smoothing out imperfections on the hull in your boat's cabin and are also great for creating a bright, clean look in areas that can sometimes be dark. In the aft cabin of our Regal Ambassador 245XL Powerboat Makeover project boat, we removed the old headliner that was dated and falling down and replaced it with a combination of carpet style and foam backed headliner. This featured video will show you how to install foam backed headliner.

Video Chapters:

Installing Vinyl Foam Backed Headliner – 0:35 min.
Trimming Excess – 7:34 min.
Trim to Hide Transitions & Seams – 10:36 min.
Materials List – 11:56 min.

Materials List:

Vinyl Foam Backed Headliner
3M™ Specialty Adhesive Remover (#108984)
3M™ General Trim Spray Adhesive (#73211)
21 Gauge 1/2" (12mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Stainless Steel) (#8012SS)
Stainless Steel Screws (from trim installation)

Tools List:

Sailrite^® Long Nose Upholstery Staple Gun (#121411)
Scissors, Rag, Razor Blade

We're working on the aft cabin

In today's video, we're working on the aft cabin of our project series, a 1982 Regal Ambassador 245XL. Brian, a manager at Sailrite® and the boat’s owner, chose to use a foam backed headliner for this part of the boat's interior makeover.

Brian decided on this option for a couple of reasons. He knew he wanted a vinyl in this small cabin because vinyl is very easy to clean and maintain. Vinyl is also much more comfortable to sleep next to than carpet. He could have used a plain vinyl fabric, but because the fiberglass in his boat is rather bumpy and uneven, he chose the vinyl with a foam backing to help disguise those inconsistencies.

In the video, we demonstrate how to install foam backed headliner using 3M™ General Trim Adhesive. There is also bonus footage showing the importance of letting this spray adhesive get tacky before installing your headliner and a short piece about upholstering and adding trim pieces.

If you’re ready to replace the headliner in your boat, check out our full line of headliner fabrics in our Headliner category on our website. We carry all the top brands of vinyl fabrics perfect for boat headliner and hull liner material, including Morbern™ and Naugahyde®.

We hope you've enjoyed this how-to video tutorial. This project is part of our Regal Ambassador 245XL Powerboat Makeover series. If you have any questions when you get started on your headliner project, don't hesitate to call or email us. We're always happy to help our customers achieve their DIY goals.