Door Panel Vapor Barrier
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
Door Panel Vapor Barrier
I purchased new door panels recently and they definitely look better than the old set but I'm disappointed with the fit. I think the plastic vapor barrier is part of the problem. The inside of the door panel is some kind of plastic. Do I need a vapor barrier? How much water gets in there. The car never gets wet!!
68 Vetteman
68 Vetteman
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The original door panels are made of a cardboard/fiberboard product that holds its shape very well...as long as it is dry. So, a vapor barrier was needed for use with those door panels. If you have aftermarket panels, they are molded styrene and do not need a vapor barrier. If you still have the original door panels (as I do), you decide how much water it sees and whether you need the vapor barriers or not. (I don't.)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
The original door panels are made of a cardboard/fiberboard product that holds its shape very well...as long as it is dry. So, a vapor barrier was needed for use with those door panels. If you have aftermarket panels, they are molded styrene and do not need a vapor barrier. If you still have the original door panels (as I do), you decide how much water it sees and whether you need the vapor barriers or not. (I don't.)
68 Vetteman
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 68V,
From what I read, I think your fit problems may be with the panels themselves, not the liners. The original barriers are so thin that they really shouldn't affect fit.
People seem to report troubles with the abs backed panels even when no vapor barrier is used. I think the abs backing is extremely stiff; and sometimes the panel is warped.
Regards,
Alan
From what I read, I think your fit problems may be with the panels themselves, not the liners. The original barriers are so thin that they really shouldn't affect fit.
People seem to report troubles with the abs backed panels even when no vapor barrier is used. I think the abs backing is extremely stiff; and sometimes the panel is warped.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
If judging is or may be your thing in the future, you'll want the vapor barriers. NCRS judges look for them. You'll lose points for the repro panel, but you'll lose additional points if the barriers can't be seen. If judging doesn't matter, the plastic substrate makes the vapor barrier a bit unnecessary I think (JMO).
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
Hi 68V,
From what I read, I think your fit problems may be with the panels themselves, not the liners. The original barriers are so thin that they really shouldn't affect fit.
People seem to report troubles with the abs backed panels even when no vapor barrier is used. I think the abs backing is extremely stiff; and sometimes the panel is warped.
Regards,
Alan
From what I read, I think your fit problems may be with the panels themselves, not the liners. The original barriers are so thin that they really shouldn't affect fit.
People seem to report troubles with the abs backed panels even when no vapor barrier is used. I think the abs backing is extremely stiff; and sometimes the panel is warped.
Regards,
Alan
68 Vetteman
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte (Area) North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would not use the barrier before I would put a screw where it doesn't belong!!! Think before you do something you will regret!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
68vetteman, 68 corvette door panels have a hidden door pull in the upper portion, and there is a hard, black plastic insert that goes inside of it and it is held in by two screws into the metal door panel. Later production 68's had an added horizontal door pull added underneath the "hidden" one. If you do not have the plastic insert, Corvette America sells them.