Door Panels repair or replace

[James B.]

I am starting to plan restoration on my 67 coupe, a very original car. I would like to restore where ever possible- do a 'sympathetic restoration'. My door panels are pretty good but the horizontal metal trim around the arm rest has torn the vinyl at the back. also on the driver's side the vinyl is split below the metal trim around the door opener knob. The pass side panel has a little wear mark where the window crank has scratched it in rotation.
Two questions:
1. Is there any material, filler etc that can be tinted to match the vinyl and used to repair the panels?
2. If a repair isn't practical how large a point deduction am I likely to have for condition and how would that compare to the hit I would take for originality with replacement panels?
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I know that deductions are a judgment call but I am just asking for some idea of the likely deductions from the 15 points available for condition or the 17 from originality (if replaced). Thanks, Jim B
PS As usually happens, after posting this I looked in the archives on repair and while that wasn't terribly helpful there was the suggestion to contact local car dealers as they often need professional help in vinyl repairs. A good suggestion and I will certainly do that. I would still like help with my question #2, in case I can't get them repaired.

[Edward J.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

Jim, A judge would deduct on the ability to be restored. its surely a minor deduct on each panel. As they can be restored easily. The post on vinyl repair by a car dealer would surely work. There maybe a problem matching the interior color as the saddle colors vary so much and the age of the panels also . If your planning on restoring the interior totally then don't worry as most of the venders sell interior paint that's a close match. there are also primers to help paint adhere.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

Your profile says you live in Illinois. If you're anywhere near the Chicagoland's more expensive suburbs then go visit the used car dept of the Mercedes, Lexus, Ferrari, Lamborghini and other high end exotic car dealers. Ask them who they have do similar interior repairs, and then bring in your door panels to that vendor. I suspect that they can be repaired so that it is undetectable.

Patrick

[Bill W.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

Before you have any repairs made be sure and ask how long the repairs should last . I started working at dealers in the sixties , most repairs made for the used car department were done as cheap as possible and meant to last long enough to sell the car .

[Tim G.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

That damage is repairable. It may be detected, but I believe it is worth it to save the original door panels. We have a place here in Austin that does good work and I've used them may times. I'm sure your area has the equivalent of our good repair shop. I believe the shop we use would charge about $100 to do a repair like that. It would be worth the risk to try to fix.

[Gene M.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

James,
Check out our news letter from last Dec. Pages 11-15

http://www.wnyncrs.org/WNY_NCRS/News_files/WNY%20NCRS%20Newsletter%20Volume%2022%20No.%204%20.pdf

[James B.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

Thanks to all and particularly Gene Manno. Gene, great article- gives me confidence that I can restore them myself.

[Charles A.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

Thanks to all and particularly Gene Manno. Gene, great article- gives me confidence that I can restore them myself.

You have a lot of good advice. After buying new ones I was so upset with the color I decided to fix the old ones. Took them to a guy who works out of his truck and goes to all of the high end dealers and he fixed the vinyl tears. I sprayed them with blue dye from LI corvette and was really happy with the result. When I got the car Judged got 0 points deducted on the interior.

[Robert K.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

When I bought my Excursion the installer of the TV punchered the leather arm rest with a screwdriver. The dealership asked if they could attempt a repair. The guy used a matching textured cloth to apply the repair then color matched the leather with a dye. It disappeared. My only concern would be longevity of the color, it may fade.

[Bill W.]

Re: Door Panels repair or replace

Robert I would not be worried about fading as much as peeling . I would get something in writing from your dealer , not the repair person on warranty .