polo1134

My door panels are in good shape other then the few cracks along the armrest. Is there a way to fix the cracks that look good when done? Has anyone tried the Door Panel Armrest Repair Kit that you can get from the online Corvette stores?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Durango_Boy

I have used them twice on two different cars and I have seen many sets on friend's Vettes. They do work, but it's obvious they are just a fix. They are held down with two sided tape so they won't last forever or just until you re-tape them. It's a lot cheaper than the panels, but it also looks cheaper.

ffas23

Years ago back in the 70's when I owned my '72 Coupe at the time my door panels in the arm rest area were really starting to look bad with cracks in the vinyl. Back then no one had a real fix for that problem area. Fixing them with the heated vinyl repair kits looked like crap so I came up with my own idea of putting leather in that area of the armrest. I picked up some nice pieces of leather to match my then Med Saddle Interior door panels and made a pattern for both sides. Went out and purchased a can of contact adhesive, took my time and glued the precut leather pieces in place over the cracked area folding the edges over as I went along. Have to tell you the car looked sharp like it might of come that way from the factory. You may want to give it a try. If you do it right you will have a cheap permanent fix that looks great.

polo1134

That sounds like it would work nicely! Will have to look into that, not sure I'm that crafty but I'm sure my girlfriend is.

rosslato

i bought my patch panels back around 93, i liked em so much that when i put new door panels on i transferred the patches. never had any probs w/them coming off, they fit like a glove n nobody ever notices them

I'm Batman

The original door panels on my 77 had the repair kit installed when it came into my family around 1990. IMHO, they look kinda cheesy. I finally broke down and got new panels when my favorite parts guy made me a deal I couldn't refuse. It was one of those "right place at the right time" deals.

polo1134

rosslato, I think the patch panels look good on your ride. My interior is the same color so it gives me a good idea what it will look like. Thanks for the pic!

rosslato

i'm here to help

RMS73

years ago I found a vinyl repair paste at an auto parts store. I just cleaned the old vinyl and smoothed the paste over the vinyl and heated it with a hair dryer. Looked good. Where to get it now ??
Roger

SEVNT6

I'm happy with my patch panels. I let them sit in the sun along with the Vette on a hot day when I did them. They were nice & soft when I put 'em on which allowed them to form to the door panel for a nice tight fit.........

polo1134

Wow, you can't even see them, Nice job SEVNT6!