Sticky head lining

[GavinL]

The head lining on our 68 Saloon is sticky to the touch. I can't work out if it's been painted or someone has tried cleaning it with solvent ( when I take the interior light out the material behind isn't tacky and is a bit dirty). Any thought on what some Herbert has done, and how to sort it?

[ManyMinors]

Have you tried cleaning it?

[firedrake1942]

If it is very yellow and brittle it may be nicotine from the years when most people smoked. You could try one of the patent cleaners - I think Woolies does one on a small area i.e. behind the back seat for colour fastness etc. Age does make them quite brittle so careful when rubbing, and definitely no scouring.

some of the tips here are not bad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi7jydVF7Qk

[GavinL]

I haven't touched it more than I have to as it is so sticky. It's very white which makes me think it may have been painted.

[firedrake1942]

Mine was a different material (1957) and never white, more a nicotine yellow. It responded to cleaning but was also patched where it had worn and holed - eventually replaced it. Paint sounds awkward. I was tempted to do my sun-visors but they are cardboard and I did nitwit to end up with a sticky mess.

[GavinL]

Just to close this one out, I got round to removing it last night and it is evident that when they resprayed the car white, that included the head lining which had been left in situ! Hence the sticky finish.

[ManyMinors]

Oh! Good luck replacing it.

[SteveClem]

After I replaced the one in my A30 it was a much nicer place to be! You won't regret it.