Door panel repair

**BillD** · #1 03-12-2015, 11:36 PM

I have been trying to locate a good original drivers door panel for a 66 Chevelle. The best I have come up with is a panel with the top 2/3's being nice with the bottom 1/3 not so nice. And another panel with the top 2/3's not so swift with the lower 1/3 being pretty good. I have attached a photo of the door panel and you can see that the top 2/3 and the bottom 1/3 are separated by a chrome strip. Has anyone tried taking one of these door panels apart? I would like to make one good one out of the two panels. The plan would be to pull the lower piece covering which is a separate and different type of material off one use that as a replacement for the other. Even better would be a recommendation of an upholstery guy that could accomplish this....I would rather pay someone with the skill to do this than risk destroying two good panels with an amateur attempt. Thanks for the help.

**70post** · #2 03-15-2015, 05:07 AM

I'm assuming that's vinyl on the lower third and not carpet...can't tell 100% from your pic.

1) Is whatever covers the lower third SEWN to the underlying door panel board (sewing line would be out around the perimeter, probably 1/4 - 1/2" in from the edge)??

2)The lower covering is also likely wrapped around the backside of the underlying board...you may be able to see the sewing line on that side as well. It may also be glued on the backside.

You should take your panel with the BAD lower 3rd and do some checking....since the lower third on that one isn't any good, try peeling back anything on the backside away from the board and then proceed to the front side to see if there also appears to be glue there (under the vinyl, holding it to the FRONTSIDE of the underlying board. If it's glued on the frontside then that will likely be the biggest challenge...removing it without tearing up the underlying board. Still, slight tearing-away of the underlying panel board can likely be dealt with.

3) It appears there may be some sort of "topography" to the front side of the vinyl....am I seeing some pressed in channels in the vinyl on the front side?? (on the lower third portion of the panel)

4) How is the<span style="font-weight: bold"> underlying door panel board</span> on the lower 1/3rd on the good panel you have? Once these are warped up real bad there's a likely limit on how flat you'll ever be able to get that part again (short of replacing the underlying board).

5) How stiff is the vinyl on the GOOD lower third panel....especially around the edges and where it's folded around the panel?

If it looks like the vinyl covering on the lower third can be peeled off with relative ease then a decent local upholstery place should be able to handle the changeover, any gluing, sewing, etc. I'd say "send it here" but shipping two ways wouldn't be real cost effective (likely get hit with a UPS/Fedex "Oversize" surcharge) + the cost (primarily time, minimal materials) of the work.

**BillD** · #3 03-16-2015, 03:45 PM

Thanks for taking the time to help. I appreciate it. It appears that the lower 1/3 section I have to remove will peel off easily, it is glued on not sewn. The backer board seems to be in good shape. What I cannot figure out is how to release the chrome strip that separates the two sections? I have included a photo to show how the chrome strip and how the 2 sections (upper and lower, both made from vinyl) meet. The seam between the 2 pieces are hidden by the chrome strip. I am more than happy too pay someone to do this rather than risking wrecking 2 good panels, if that is the best alternative. Thanks again.

**olredalert** · #4 03-16-2015, 04:49 PM

----The chrome strip should have pointed tangs that extend thru the board and are then bent over to hold the strip to the board. They are easy to straighten out then just pull the strip off.....Bill S

**BillD** · #5 03-17-2015, 12:27 AM

Bill, Thanks for the help. I checked when I got home from work and no prongs through the back. It is the original board in the back. The chrome strip must be glued on in some way.

**olredalert** · #6 03-17-2015, 02:13 PM

----Now you have me stumped. Not that that is hard to do!.....Bill S

**70post** · #7 03-23-2015, 04:31 AM

Bill - I'd do a bit more "digging". Try LIGHTLY prying along one end of the stainless strip with some good light or a good bright penlight aimed under it. See if you can spot any attachment points.....or....

Get a thin putty knife, wrap one layer of tape down each side of the blade, and push it under the stainless in different spots.....maybe you'll find some spots where the stainless is attached and that will tell you where to look further with the light. Sort of like those old war movies where one guy steps on a landmine and the guy up front has to pull out his bayonet and started poking/prodding the ground in front of him to find a way out of the minefield.

Look at it this way.....there's no worries about hurrying up to get out of the open field before the enemy shows up and if something "goes wrong" the consequences just aren't that bad, comparison-wise. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

**70post** · #8 03-23-2015, 04:32 AM

Also - can you take a good clear photo of the backside of the panel board...backside where the strip runs?

**BillD** · #9 03-28-2015, 12:35 PM

70post thanks for the help. I did some experiments with a badly damaged panel to see what I could find. I did try peeling back the stainless using a sharp thin putty knife. In some areas it worked and in other areas it tore through the vinyl. I did not find any attachment points.......just glued as far as I can tell. I have changed plans and am going to try patching the few small areas on my best panel and call it a day. I will post a photo later of what I have to do and see if there are any suggestions. Thanks again for all the help

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