Door panels

[Lyndon S.]

When judging the door panels on a 70-72 car that has the deluxe door panels. What is the determining factor that judges look for in the reproductions vs. a pair of NOS or a pair of reskined . What tell tell signs would one see in order to knock off points on any one of those panels?

[Bill C.]

Re: Door panels

most cheaper repros are made from ABS plastic. Plus the wiskers are riveted not stapled.

The originals are made from a white/cream fiber board and can be detected. The wiskers are stapled with a 5/8" wide staple.

NOS ones should be darn close to originals and pass just fine.

As for repros - Al Knock can made fiber board door panels - they run around $500 per side to do, and look perfect ( I did this with my 72').

[Reba W.]

Re: Door panels

Bill is correct about what interior judges look for. Knoch's are the closest repros out there. But there is one more thing on custom panels: as far as I know, no one is doing real wood for the inserts.

I have a pair of NOS panels bought in the late 1980s and they have vinyl not the wood veneer. Maybe Joe can tell us if service panels ever had real wood. I know the separate inserts that were available across the counter were vinyl.

Hopefully, your old panels have the wood insert that can be transferred to new ones.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Door panels

How are the ones with ABS backing detectable? Do you know of any one that reskins the door panels , my drive side is panel has the skin coming up were the elbow arm rest is. Other than that the panels is perfect I wonder if someone could repair it?

[Mark D.]

Re: Door panels

Al Knoch's fiberboard backed panels are very nice, as others have said. Don't forget the vapor barrier though as they are easy for a judge to see. I don't know if anyone is doing the vacuum molded barriers or not.

[Dick W.]

Re: Door panels

How are the ones with ABS backing detectable? Do you know of any one that reskins the door panels , my drive side is panel has the skin coming up were the elbow arm rest is. Other than that the panels is perfect I wonder if someone could repair it?

Everyone used to sell skins, but the installation success rate was very poor. As far as I know, no one sells them anymore.

I can take my little finger and feel the back of the door panel. Takes all of about three seconds

[Michael F.]

Re: Door panels

I used balsa wood stained to correct shade and then shellac then sand until desired finish and it was undetectable from original

[Alan S.]

Re: Door panels

Hi,
I don't believe anyone is reproducing the vapor barrier from the original material and in the vacuum formed manner. Some barriers are being sold but they are flat, and a different material.
Michael, that must have been an interesting piece of work! I'd love to see a picture of the results.
Regards,
Alan

[Reba W.]

Re: Door panels

Me too, Alan. I would also like to do feel the surface. Seems like balsa would be too soft, but perhaps the shellac makes it appear like the original surface.

[Paul O.]

Re: Door panels

Lyndon


One other option maybe an automotive vinyl repair specialist. I have seen them at work doing repairs on seats and other interior parts. Once completed it was hard to detect where the repair was done. A competent specialist could tell you if the repair is possible or not in a few minutes. If your only problem is the arm rest area they maybe be able to help you maintain those original door panels. It is very typical for that area to be damaged on the drives side and the passengers side almost perfect someone is always in the drives seat when the car is out.

Many dealerships use them so you maybe able to find one through you local dealership service department. Or a local automotive interior trim shop plus most of them will come to the car for the repair.

Paul 18046

[Bill C.]

Re: Door panels

you can see the black ABS from the top side, looking down into the door from the window. Also, from the side by the door latch.

Plus, I think the ABS panels don't fit all that well to the doors.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Door panels

OK, all you interior gurus, how many points will I get docked if I go with the ABS ones. and do you think I can just replace one panel or would it stick out like a sore thumb? Interior is Dark Saddle

[Patrick H.]

Re: Door panels

OK, all you interior gurus, how many points will I get docked if I go with the ABS ones. and do you think I can just replace one panel or would it stick out like a sore thumb? Interior is Dark Saddle

How bad do your originals look?
As Paul said, they can often be repaired.

If the rest of your interior is original then I'd leave them alone.
If the rest of it has been restored then buy 2 panels and be done with it.

Patrick

[Reba W.]

Re: Door panels

If the panels are good except for one place on the arm rest, I would take the deduction for condition. It will probably be less than the originaliity lost for reproductions, and you will get those deductions on both doors. I have been driving my 1972 for several years with an armrest patch panel.

[Rich C.]

Re: Door panels

Everyone used to sell skins, but the installation success rate was very poor. As far as I know, no one sells them anymore.

I can take my little finger and feel the back of the door panel. Takes all of about three seconds

Really? Do I run the risk of a judge sticking a finger in my door? I'll have to file the metal edges razor sharp! Watch where you put that finger!

'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 3/4 years