How to Fix Headliner / Cigarette Burns?

**dopet** · 01-19-2015 11:13 AM

So, my girlfriend uses my Audi for a week and what do you know... CIGARETTE BURNS!

(it's slightly wet, because I managed to remove all the ash off of it)

Also a nick on the leather console arm lid from a falling ember...

Any cost effective way other than removing the WHOLE top headliner section? And as well anyone know a cheap place to buy JUST the leather armrest lid for centre console instead of the whole thing? I've checked American eBay and Amazon with no luck for B8s.

Any recommendations or suggestions is GREATLY appreciated, disappointed for so many marks in a weeks use.

Have a wonderful and positive week guys.

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**adamazing** · 01-19-2015 11:21 AM

My GF, would no longer be my GF after that week.

**name.goes.here** · 01-19-2015 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by adamazing

My GF, would no longer be my GF after that week.

I would be F'n livid.

**mr_milo** · 01-19-2015 11:21 AM

get a new girlfriend if she treats your shit like that.

**dopet** · 01-19-2015 11:23 AM

Thank you both for the wonderful suggestions, because I'm nearly on that edge.... ;-) Honestly, I'm incredibly disappointed she would treat it like that and things might be taking a turn.. It's disrespectful.

But possibly, ideas on how to fix this one up without breaking the bill too much would be amazing. Thanks guys for replying, have a positive day!

P.S. Makes me also think about HOW many cigarettes you'd have to smoke to achieve SO many burns?!?!

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**adamazing** · 01-19-2015 11:26 AM

Honestly, Im' not sure it's "repairable". Certainly replaceable through, but expensive. If I recall correctly, the headliner has to come out through the windshield opening.

**booost** · 01-19-2015 11:29 AM

Dude that's terrible, kick her to the curb! You may be able to bleach out the black marks but where the hole is by the visor will be tougher. Perhaps you could find some foam or something of similar color, cut it down and glue it in there to make it less noticeable.

**B-Time** · 01-19-2015 11:29 AM

A vinyl repair guy could probably make the armrest look better.

**dopet** · 01-19-2015 11:31 AM

Thank you all for replies!

What about this fabric? Does anyone know the exact kind? Seems this dude sells most of the fabric colors here on ebay? Maybe some subtle glue patch over it will at least make it look better than it is now?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Headliner-Ma...1e30c9&vxp=mtr

**Per Stirpes** · 01-19-2015 11:42 AM

Does she flick her cigarettes out the sun roof or something? How does this even happen?! I would make her ass pay to repair it.

That being said, what you could do is replace the headliner with the Black s4 headliner and consider it an upgrade instead of a repair...

Also, just leave the armrest as-is till you plan to sell or something unless you are OCD. It is kind of a wear item anyways. Well maybe if you have huge arms. I had my leather repaired on my door card once, they did an awesome job. It was actually a much larger repair too. I think they fill it with some sort of epoxy then blend it all together.

**dopet** · 01-19-2015 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Per Stirpes

Does she flick her cigarettes out the sun roof or something? How does this even happen?! I would make her ass pay to repair it.

That being said, what you could do is replace the headliner with the Black s4 headliner and consider it an upgrade instead of a repair...

Also, just leave the armrest as-is till you plan to sell or something unless you are OCD. It is kind of a wear item anyways. Well maybe if you have huge arms. I had my leather repaired on my door card once, they did an awesome job. It was actually a much larger repair too. I think they fill it with some sort of epoxy then blend it all together.

Seriously, I have no clue how she managed not only to fuck it up once, but it appears multiple times.. Must have tried ashing the cigarettes not paying attention through the sunroof

Do you think the black headliner would look a bit more decent than the tan? Might as well buy the whole black s4 headliner... I'll look for threads on install, it looks like it's a ***** to replace.

Might have someone who deals with vinyl/leather repair to possibly fix it up if I can't find a replacement lid or even custom cover to go over it, not sure which is worth more!

PLUS, thank you ALL for the replies.

**JeriQo** · 12-13-2015 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Per Stirpes

Does she flick her cigarettes out the sun roof or something? How does this even happen?! I would make her ass pay to repair it.

That being said, what you could do is replace the headliner with the Black s4 headliner and consider it an upgrade instead of a repair...

Also, just leave the armrest as-is till you plan to sell or something unless you are OCD. It is kind of a wear item anyways. Well maybe if you have huge arms. I had my leather repaired on my door card once, they did an awesome job. It was actually a much larger repair too. I think they fill it with some sort of epoxy then blend it all together.

lol. aint no female 2k for a damn headliner she destroyed.

**booost** · 01-19-2015 11:46 AM

I would look into that fabric, not sure on the color though.

**AllroadCorbin** · 01-19-2015 12:08 PM

How the hell did she manage that.

Replaced with Audi parts, that girl just cost you hundreds if not a solid grand. Was she crushing them Yul Brynner style while also completely ********d? If this is how she respects your property I think there might be larger issues haha

Sorry to see the pics man. Saddens me!

**helldriver** · 01-19-2015 12:17 PM

Yeah I'd be pissed as hell, sorry to see that but a new headliner is in your future, ECS tuning has the black headliners, much luck to ya, cheers...

-Scott

**oascom** · 01-19-2015 12:25 PM

My gf would have to pay for this and she know that every damage or something to the car she have to pay. Also with this kind of thing she would not be my gf anymore. Second find a gf that don't smoke. ( I don't get how ppl like to kiss ash tray) lol.... I think u have to replace whole headliner and arm rest.... There is no way to fix that so it won't be noticeable

**Slick_B8** · 01-19-2015 12:46 PM

What a dick move, i hope nothing else is going on here man. That would really suck

**vdubtx** · 01-19-2015 02:19 PM

No respect for others property.
I bet she is the type of person to let their car door swing all the way open while parked and ding other peoples cars and not fess up to it with a note.

**dopet** · 01-19-2015 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by vdubtx

No respect for others property.
I bet she is the type of person to let their car door swing all the way open while parked and ding other peoples cars and not fess up to it with a note.

And after this, is what I'm slowly starting to realize.. It's not really about the money if she could or couldn't help repair it but the fact I have to figure it all out without any warnings and she's definitely be that person to do something of such...it all just got to me.

I'm moving on with her if anyone wanted to know to fulfill the drama related in this thread

This was a crossing line... NEVER mess with my real babe.

Anyways, question for you guys..

Would this look just tacky as hell? This carbon fiber cover lid apparently snaps right ontop of it and would prevent future damage and so on until I'd like to replace the initial led ($250ish new on ECU) while this is $100... I'm also actually trying to replace the silver trim around my interior and maybe if that was carbon as well, might not look as ugly. Thoughts? Or just go with the leather replacement?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=291354714010

VS the original leather (assuming it's sabre black)

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**LINDW4LL** · 01-20-2015 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by vdubtx

No respect for others property.

Lol, I'm not surprised. Smokers don't even respect themselves...

**oascom** · 01-19-2015 03:12 PM

I dont think it will look nice... Also it might be too hard and slippery...

**dracolnyte** · 01-19-2015 05:04 PM

I cant provide you with any repair advice but here some life advice

Any cost effective way other than removing the WHOLE top headliner section?

remove the gf. I would have seriously raged

also if she pays for it but you end up marrying her, thats kind of like you paying it yourself. so best get her to pay for it and dump that trash.

**Viru5** · 01-19-2015 05:20 PM

Damnnnn dude there really is no real way of "fixing" that unless your replace the headliner. Wow I would kill a *****.

**dopet** · 01-19-2015 06:51 PM

Ugh, true that guys.. In the meantime I might just try to help and mask some it by maybe getting someone to sew/glue that exact fabric I found on eBay to try and decently match over the areas close as possible (even knowing it won't be perfect and symmetrical..).

But will put some money aside eventually towards the black s4 headliner and consider it an upgrade. I actually think that'll look better than the tan I have now..

I'm just going to deal with the armrest for now and possibly take them to a vinyl repair guy to maybe do some fillings and blend the leather to appear more nice, then replace OEM if I decide to sell.

Thank you all for the awesome replies!

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**B G 8er** · 01-19-2015 09:53 PM

I'll never forget my two best friends from HS always wanting to smoke in my first car. One of my detail clients at the time, who had amazing cars, had great advice, make them walk!

Don't waste your time or any money trying to mask the problem. Just save up and get it fixed right. One possibility on the arm rest might be to find one in good condition at a wrecking yard from a totaled car. I also think you're on the right track with the thought of replacing the headliner with the black one. But remember, you'd also have to replace the visors, handles, etc. too.

**dopet** · 01-20-2015 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by B G 8er

I'll never forget my two best friends from HS always wanting to smoke in my first car. One of my detail clients at the time, who had amazing cars, had great advice, make them walk!

Don't waste your time or any money trying to mask the problem. Just save up and get it fixed right. One possibility on the arm rest might be to find one in good condition at a wrecking yard from a totaled car. I also think you're on the right track with the thought of replacing the headliner with the black one. But remember, you'd also have to replace the visors, handles, etc. too.

Haha, very true.. Didn't think of the visors and misc. tan accents...

I'll probably get the same headliner then in awhile but also in meantime to try and think of some clever ways of at least patching it or look SLIGHTLY more decent yet still noticeable.

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**Ajp428** · 01-19-2015 10:20 PM

tell her pay up or quit smoking. Any girl or friend of mine is scared to even change the mirror up on me knowing how much i love the car

**crash1121** · 01-19-2015 11:59 PM

**The Infiltrator** · 01-20-2015 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by crash1121

YES! lol, funny stuff!

**Project Quattro** · 01-20-2015 04:10 AM

Step one: lose the girlfriend. Step two: you might call an auto upholstery shop and see if they can stitch up a new headliner and cover more cheaply than the Audi parts. It's certainly possible given how expensive OEM parts can be, and you may be able to do a black headliner like the S4 (as was mentioned earlier) or suede like other high end models.

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**A4BGP** · 01-20-2015 06:42 AM

Imagine for one second, the wrath you would face if you did ONE of those burns, BY ACCIDENT, to one of her purses or shoes...

**Sd76** · 01-20-2015 07:12 AM

Wow.

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**The Infiltrator** · 01-20-2015 07:34 AM

Girlfriend trade ins, they are amazing!

**adamazing** · 01-20-2015 09:08 AM

I showed this to my GF and her jaw dropped. She did have a theory though. She might have been trying to touch-up her makeup/eyeliner in the visor mirror while holding a cigarette.... or she kept adjusting the visor with her cigarette hand.

**doowopaudi** · 01-20-2015 09:15 AM

The gf is not the problem. It's OP who can't see a red flag when it's waving in front of him. I'm surprised he even cares about his car, considering he doesn't even care about himself. He lacks self respect and his chick knows it. She needs a real man to put her on check, but good luck finding a guy who wants to deal with her.

**Elliott** · 01-20-2015 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by doowopaudi

The gf is not the problem. It's OP who can't see a red flag when it's waving in front of him. I'm surprised he even cares about his car, considering he doesn't even care about himself. He lacks self respect and his chick knows it. She needs a real man to put her on check, but good luck finding a guy who wants to deal with her.

**LeoTanker** · 01-20-2015 10:43 AM

**The Infiltrator** · 01-20-2015 11:00 AM

I'm just curious how long this post will be on here until it's moved to chatterbox.

You can see that she was flicking her cigarette out the sun roof, or trying to, and if you feel the air flow from a sun roof, it blows air back into the cabin. Not so common sense...