DEEPSEA70

I got some door panel replacements quite some time ago, finally putting them on and was wondering if these panels could warp; or they just need heating to fit properly. They are nice hard plastic and look good, just have about 1/8 inch gap all around and the bottom velcro just doesn't hold. Any ideas to suck them up.

Thanks

danh77

I let mine lay in the sun for a bit before I put them on.

oldgto

That... and a heat gun will help a LOT!

Alan 71

Hi Ds70.
It appears as though almost everyone reports difficulties in getting the reproduction door trim panels to fit well and it seems getting the velcro pads to grab is often the problem.
As 77 and gto posted…. some heat seems to help.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

SB64

I will second or third OLDGTO's response. The ABS is very stiff and the sun but defiantly the heat gun work well. Need to be careful not to go to far with a high heat.
RVZIO

DEEPSEA70

Thanks,

I'll give a try this weekend with the gun; since it nothing but rain here and maybe take a before and after. Hopefully the after is not a melted pile of goo.

Ali Vette

Good to know, I need to get new door panels soon. can you use heat on the dash pads also? they don't seem to line up with the console as well as I would like.

ddawson

I tried the sun trick with no luck. Didn't use a heat gun though.

I switched to magnets for a tight fit.

croaker

Any pics of the magnet installation? Sounds intresting

gjohnson

I had the same problem with my new panels and I just added extra clips. That Velcro stuff is worthless

Solid LT1

$500 to $700 for the pair? And you expect them to fit correctly? Ha! Ha! That's a good one....the people at Auto Acessories of America that make them must have been blind when making most of the interior parts....the "Velcro" nubs won't interlock with the OEM GM ones neither will the windshield pillar post "Velcro" pads....The plastic backing panels are far stiffer than the cardboard OEM panels....I ended up making some sheet metal "L" brackets...fastening them to the bottom edge of the backing panels in a couple of spots and screwing them into the bottom of the doors.

Reproduction Parts....to be used in EMERGENCIES only when absolutely nothing else is avalible....they really should have sweated the detail a little better on ALL the C3 interior replacement parts...it's pretty SAD when the "Velcro" nubs won't interlock with the originals.

Anyone looking for a 69-70 black drivers side lower dash panel I have a brand new unused AA....repro....make me an offer....sold No guarantee of proper figment....but GUARANTEED to be EXACTLY the SAME as the repro ones from any Vette vendor.

ddawson

I used these and screwed them on. Mag Daddy Glue-Daddy Fasteners 97602-4

With my panel its the front edge that would stick out.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/t...02-4/overview/

mrvette

My '72 vert is not stock, so the interior is same way, I used LARGE stainless finish washers and screws to hold my repro panels in place over 20 years ago, one on the top latch corner, on about 2/3 of the way back along the bottom edge, and one about 1/2 way up the front/hinge edge...

I noted the front/hings edge of both panels sticks out from the metal of the door about 1/2 inch at the top, the door opens and closes, never notice the defect unless the door is open, and you look for it...it fits fine over the window and looks good when closed, but that krazy GAP between the liner and the metal is a perpetual mystery....

another thing that bugs me, fitting the silly metal trim plates around the door latch handle and the lock button, best I could do was put glue on the studs, which over time has loosened, but there is no room for anything metal on the studs because they are too short....mine are OEM so maybe a repro???

I know damn well I did not pay anywhere NEAR the prices above for mine, but it's been 20 years too.....

7T1vette

The 'locking' pad designs for Chevy and for aftermarket door panels are almost incompatible. You can swap those clips from your original door panel to the new panel; or you can buy additional new clips to put on your doors. IMO, for the money you pay for those panels, they should send you the new clips, FREE.

Dean_Fuller

I ama having a heck of a time fitting new repop panels right now. Ecklers brand. I will try the heat gun route. When I get the poor panel to lap on to the top edge of the door the locking arm is too low in the opening. When I force it on the top pops off. There is no adjustment I see in the locking mechanism.