Sunroof cover plate - recovering the suede?

Burn-E · Apr 11, 2011

I have to imagine a couple of you have done this either in swapping out interiors or refreshing the headliner. I'm looking to pull the cover plate that slides underneath the glass of the sunroof (it sits between the interior of the car and the glass) and recover it with a new suede.

If I unbolt the whole frame assembly from the car can I just slide the cover plate out the back or does it just unclip from the rail? Please tell me I don't have to disassemble the entire cassette assembly in order to get to it.

MKC70 · Apr 12, 2011

Burn-E said:
I have to imagine a couple of you have done this either in swapping out interiors or refreshing the headliner. I'm looking to pull the cover plate that slides underneath the glass of the sunroof (it sits between the interior of the car and the glass) and recover it with a new suede.

If I unbolt the whole frame assembly from the car can I just slide the cover plate out the back or does it just unclip from the rail? Please tell me I don't have to disassemble the entire cassette assembly in order to get to it.

Removal of cover can be done without disassembly. 4 metal springs on each of the plastic tabs. The original cover is done with a headliner foam material on a canvas back. If you did it with suede, it would be thinner and rattle a bit more but possible. Takes only a few minutes.

rsxer63 · Apr 12, 2011

MKC70 said:
Removal of cover can be done without disassembly. 4 metal springs on each of the plastic tabs. The original cover is done with a headliner foam material on a canvas back. If you did it with suede, it would be thinner and rattle a bit more but possible. Takes only a few minutes.

Wouldn't you be adding the suede over the existing cover... That is how it was done by the shop that did my other car.

MKC70 · Apr 12, 2011

rsxer63 said:
Wouldn't you be adding the suede over the existing cover... That is how it was done by the shop that did my other car.

Really can do it any way you want. Just pointing out from personal experience that too much or too little material will each cause their own issues. Add the fact glue on old material is not the best solution.

Burn-E · Apr 12, 2011

Thanks guys, that's what I was hoping to hear. I figured there had to be a simple way to remove the cover plate. I'll have to explore the options for properly recovering. Anyone have a good writeup for getting the headliner down?

C70#620 · Apr 28, 2011

The removal of the sunshade requires the removal of the sunroof itself. The full tutorial is on Bay 13 here is the link
http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how_tos/volvo_trim_parts/sunroof_adjustment_removal.html

Sunroof removal is very easy, once the sunroof is out close the sunshade and from the top there are two clips that you squeeze and the sunshade pops out. As for the proper material to do the sun shade and the headliner I use headliner express. He gets his material from Europe. You see the problem with domestic material is that it is thicker, and improper texture if you are restoring to original. The thicker foam backing on domestic headliner material interferes with the sunshade in its tracks. Here is the link for headliner express. He ships the stuff so you can do it yourself. I replaced my headliner and sunshade with original European material and it looks like the day it came out of the factory!

http://www.headlinerexpress.com/servlet/StoreFront

C70#620 · Apr 28, 2011

Sorry didn't reply about headliner removal. Very eash to remove, BUT the sunvisors are problematic. Apparently volvo installed the sunvisors before the dash went in. The sunvisor harness is very long and connects behind the dash. I cut the sunvisor harness mid windshield post and installed some connectors from the auto parts store, so when I have to take them off again they will unclip in seconds. Once you have removed all the trim that holds the headliner panel up, handlles and sunvisors all you have to do is take off the plastic trim that goes around the opening. Warning, its old and it will break. Volvo has replacement plastic trim, and it is quite reasonable. At that point the headliner will come off the ceiling. With both your front seat backs leaned all the way back, your passenger window down, you can rotate the headliner and take it out through the passenger door. Installing the reverse, but you will need somebody to help you to hold it up while you rotate it in through the door. Once again I recommend headliner express for material. It's the right stuff. The owner is more than happy to talk you through the process of recovering. You just need a good scrub brush to get the old foam backing off.

MKC70 · May 1, 2011

C70#620 said:
The removal of the sunshade requires the removal of the sunroof itself. The full tutorial is on Bay 13 here is the link
http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how_tos/volvo_trim_parts/sunroof_adjustment_removal.html

Sunroof removal is very easy, once the sunroof is out close the sunshade and from the top there are two clips that you squeeze and the sunshade pops out. As for the proper material to do the sun shade and the headliner I use headliner express. He gets his material from Europe. You see the problem with domestic material is that it is thicker, and improper texture if you are restoring to original. The thicker foam backing on domestic headliner material interferes with the sunshade in its tracks. Here is the link for headliner express. He ships the stuff so you can do it yourself. I replaced my headliner and sunshade with original European material and it looks like the day it came out of the factory!

http://www.headlinerexpress.com/servlet/StoreFront

Bay 13 is a wealth of knowledge, but the remove/not remove argument on Volvspeed has been beat to death. If you want to spend your time and remove the glass go right ahead. Domestic headliner thickness depends on the manufacturer.

MKC70 · May 31, 2011

Got tired of the black cloth and figured why not give the suede a try. Was fighting it since I wanted to use suede elsewhere, but oh well. Looks pretty good in RL, though you need to rough it up so it photos. Little blurred out, but you get the idea.

Will have the headliner matched as soon as I finish repairing the surface. Holes all over the place since it is old.

Sunroof cover plate - recovering the suede?

Burn-E

MKC70

rsxer63

MKC70

Burn-E

C70#620

C70#620

MKC70

MKC70

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities