Headlining

Many modern convertibles have a headlining as the inner-most layer of the convertible roof stack, with there being an outer, fabric cosmetic layer and an inner membrane to provide waterproofing.

There may also be sound deadening material above the headlining, both of which help reduce wind noise, which is an issue on convertible cars.

The headlining on a convertible car is functionally no different to the headlining on any other kind of car and is largely cosmetic and hides whatever is above it.

What it means

Headlining is the material that finishes the inside of the roof so you do not see bare metal and wiring. On most cars it is a shaped board covered in fabric or vinyl that clips up against the roof. On some convertibles it may be a separate inner lining that hangs under the soft top or folding hard top frame. As well as making the interior look smart, the headlining helps with noise, insulation and hiding roof fixings, airbags and wiring looms.

Why it matters

• Key clue for leaks: Brown water marks, tide lines or mould on the headlining are strong signs that water has been coming in from above – often from sunroof drains, aerial bases, roof seams or screen surrounds.
• Can be damaged by damp: Once the foam backing gets wet it can break down, causing the fabric to sag and hang down. Mould and mildew can also grow on the surface if moisture is trapped behind it.
• Not just cosmetic: A sagging or stained headlining looks untidy and can knock value, but it can also hide ongoing leaks or corrosion if the root cause has not been dealt with.
• Needs careful removal: To trace some leaks or run new wiring, the headlining has to come down. It is large and awkward, and damage during removal can mean it needs retrimming or replacing.

Where you’ll see it

You will see headlining mentioned in inspection reports, leak diagnoses, interior repair quotes and trim work estimates. Typical comments include headlining stained from historical leak, headlining sagging, requires retrim, headlining needs removal to inspect sunroof cassette or headlining dry, no signs of water tracking. On convertibles, notes may refer to inner headlining on soft top or marks to headlining from previous leaks.

Context

Headlining sits at the junction between the roof structure, wiring and interior trim. Above it you may find aerial mounts, sunroof frames and drains, roof seams and sometimes roof airbags, all of which can be involved in leaks. When dealing with water ingress from above, a specialist will often have to lower parts of the headlining to see where water is actually coming from, rather than just where it appears. In older cars the glue and foam that hold the fabric to the board can deteriorate with heat and age even without leaks, leading to sagging that is cosmetic but still needs an upholsterer or trimmer to fix properly.

Common mistakes

• Cleaning visible stains on the headlining without investigating the underlying leak that caused them.
• Trying to re-glue sagging headlining in situ with random spray adhesive, leading to further sagging, lumps and overspray on glass and trim.
• Forcing the headlining out through doors without enough clearance, cracking the board or creasing the material.
• Assuming a dry-looking headlining means there is no leak, when water can sometimes run behind it and emerge elsewhere such as in the boot or footwells.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 05/12/2025 17:27