Seats,Headliner,

[DistantTwinkle]

I bought my 98 beetle almost 2 1/2 years ago and I've been replacing parts, wondering what to do with all the issues the whole time. I'm one of those ppl that just can't give up, despite everyone telling me to trade it in. My headliner is going to be replaced due to it falling down along with the weird burn marks. But my biggest issue is my seats, when I bought this car the seats weren't at all in the best condition. I have this weird gum in my back seats that just won't come out as well as cigarette burns, some little and some are just way too big. I've taken simple green into some parts of the car wiping down the pillars and what not, whoever had it before was so abusive to this car cosmetically. Should I replace the seats all together or have them reupholstered??? As you can see some of the plastic covering are missing, as well as the seat belt cover.

[noR]

Oh wow. I'm glad you love your car; it needs it.

I hope you get some good deals from part-outs.

As long as the seats are still stuffed nicely and you like their shape, just get them reupholstered.

[hyakugojyuuichi]

Your headliner looks about the same as mine and it's an 01'. I plan on getting mine recovered soon using the same headliner which is in great condition. I heard that a saging headaliner is usually caused by heat and humidity. A new headliner is not cheap, anywhere from $155 to $213 from 1stvwparts depending on whether or not you have a sunroof and what color you get. As far as the seats you could get them reupholstered in cloth or leather as noR suggested. I had my seats reupholstered with Katzkin leather and love them. They were a bit pricey, about $700 + $300 for installation but well worth it. It's good that you want to take care of your NB. It's got a great new owner.

[DistantTwinkle]

I was taking a look at the Katzkin leather too, have any pics?? thanks for the support just trying to get her pretty as can be

[hyakugojyuuichi]

Here's the place I got mine from http://www.leatherseats.com/Beetle_leather_kit.asp and they've got several pictures. Mine are just plain, black seats but you can get them with seat heaters, different colors and embroidered. Like I said they were about $700 but that was three years ago so I'm not sure if the prices went up or down. I would definitely give them a call.

[hyakugojyuuichi]

So, did you call them yet? Can't wait to hear what kind of seats you're going to get.

[who_me285]

I know a VW mechanic and he had a headliner for the longest time that kept slowly falling down. He jsut sprayed it with some solution and pressed it back up and it fixed it....unfortunately I can not remember what he used at the moment but I will ask him next time I see him.

[DistantTwinkle]

I've heard about the sprays can't remember what it is either. Its not sagging too bad but when the texas weather kicks in, I know it'll get worse. Like I said I have no idea what these ppl were doing because I have burns in the headliner as well.

[Ventil]

I have seen plenty of "moded" headliners from all types of VWs with how-tos, so I felt adventurous. I pulled what was left down and spent two hours at the fabric store with my wife. After picking out the perfect design, I went against NBORG and vortex and bought headliner spray. We got a defective (or bad)spray. It didn't stick at all. I took a trip to homedepot and bought 3Ms 90 adheisive spray (recomended route). It worked great!! Problem though was the fabric was to tight and didn't stretch around the curves of our bug roof. So make sure your new fabric is stretchy. Good luck! I will post picks when I assemble it. BTW... I ended up painting the headliner board until we find the perfect fabric.

Ok, OK last tip...
To take off the mirror (on a 2001), pull hard downward on the mirror.