C3 Deluxe Door Panels

[Kenneth T.]

My 71 has deluxe interior and wood trim on the door panels. The after market panels use a formica type wood grain. I have a pair of original wood panels, but the chrome trim is pitted and rough.

My question is, has anyone tried to remove that wood veneer from an old panel and use them on panels with better chrome?
I am so afraid to damage the wood veneer so I am asking for advice.

I have a heat gun, razor blades and patience. I don't want to ruin a nice original wood insert by being rash. Else, I will clean up the chrome as best I can and use them for judging only.

Ken

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 Deluxe Door Panels

My 71 has deluxe interior and wood trim on the door panels. The after market panels use a formica type wood grain. I have a pair of original wood panels, but the chrome trim is pitted and rough.

My question is, has anyone tried to remove that wood veneer from an old panel and use them on panels with better chrome?
I am so afraid to damage the wood veneer so I am asking for advice.

I have a heat gun, razor blades and patience. I don't want to ruin a nice original wood insert by being rash. Else, I will clean up the chrome as best I can and use them for judging only.

Ken

Ken my 1970 has the optional interior like your 1971. I removed my original wood veneer panels because they were peeling and installed after market panels. This was done over 20 years ago. Not placing the new panel over the original before I removed the original was a mistake. The replacement was not the same size. I would of sent the new ones back to the vendor, but I had them for a couple years and no receipt. I did not throw away my originals. From what I remember right now the original panels could be reused

[Bill C.]

Re: C3 Deluxe Door Panels

Ken,

If memory serves me, the real wood veneer is backed with a thin metal sheet.
Then that entire assembly is glued to the chrome insert.

If you very slowly lift it up from a corner and use/put 3M weather strip glue dissolver under it, you can with great patience remove it. .

I did this with one of the inserts and it worked fine.


Another suggestion is to heat the chrome insert from the backside with the heat gun amd use the razor blade to lift the wood insert from the front side

Just go very slow ....

If you can get your hands on a old bad one, try these ideas out on it first.


Bill

[Kenneth T.]

Re: C3 Deluxe Door Panels

Jim, Bill,

Thanks for the replys. Yes, they have a thin backing.

I began with the heat gun from behind to get some lift and then used thinner and my wife's thin paring knife, working my way slowly.

I got them both off without cracking the wood. I was really surprised how thin the veneer is. I had thought of buying raw veneer stock and making my own with a router. I do not think it would have worked out well seeing these.

I hope the install goes as well. Thanks for the information.

Ken