1979 Door Panel Upholestry
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
From: Bellevue Nebraska
NE Events Coordinator
1979 Door Panel Upholestry
My door panels have seen better days, material wise, and am looking to upgrade them.
I have a line on some door panel upholestry (not the whold panel just the cover) and was wondering if anyone had any experience with removing old vinyl and replacing with new on a 1979. Secrets, issues, don't do it, etc.
Any insight would be appreciated, thank you.
I have a line on some door panel upholestry (not the whold panel just the cover) and was wondering if anyone had any experience with removing old vinyl and replacing with new on a 1979. Secrets, issues, don't do it, etc.
Any insight would be appreciated, thank you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
In the past, door panel skins were discontinued by vendors after complaints of difficulty getting them installed and having them look like anything. A couple of folks on the Forum here have tried them with mixed success.
If yours are not too badly worn, you could considered cleaning them squeaky clean and dyeing them.
If yours are not too badly worn, you could considered cleaning them squeaky clean and dyeing them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
From: Bellevue Nebraska
NE Events Coordinator
In the past, door panel skins were discontinued by vendors after complaints of difficulty getting them installed and having them look like anything. A couple of folks on the Forum here have tried them with mixed success.
If yours are not too badly worn, you could considered cleaning them squeaky clean and dyeing them.
If yours are not too badly worn, you could considered cleaning them squeaky clean and dyeing them.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
replacing door skins, is a difficult job, to accomplish with good results.
I don't think your local uphoster shop will much better results,
because they have no expericence with these panels either.
I believe you will find less than 5-6 on this fourm who have had good success.
use orginal, or replace is the smart direction.
I don't think your local uphoster shop will much better results,
because they have no expericence with these panels either.
I believe you will find less than 5-6 on this fourm who have had good success.
use orginal, or replace is the smart direction.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
replacing door skins, is a difficult job, to accomplish with good results.
I don't think your local uphoster shop will much better results,
because they have no expericence with these panels either.
I believe you will find less than 5-6 on this fourm who have had good success.
use orginal, or replace is the smart direction.
I don't think your local uphoster shop will much better results,
because they have no expericence with these panels either.
I believe you will find less than 5-6 on this fourm who have had good success.
use orginal, or replace is the smart direction.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
From: Bellevue Nebraska
NE Events Coordinator
Think I'll take the advice and reduce the headaches and buy complete panels.
Anyone got a good set of daily driver quality panels in black for a 79 laying around
Cheap LOL
Anyone got a good set of daily driver quality panels in black for a 79 laying around
Cheap LOL
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the hardware on your existing panels is in good shape (except for a little paint), just buy the 'basic' panels and swap your hardware over to them. You can grind the heads off the latch plate rivets and then epoxy new 'heads' on them to keep them in place. Use satin black paint on the front side of the plate.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
From: Bellevue Nebraska
NE Events Coordinator
If the hardware on your existing panels is in good shape (except for a little paint), just buy the 'basic' panels and swap your hardware over to them. You can grind the heads off the latch plate rivets and then epoxy new 'heads' on them to keep them in place. Use satin black paint on the front side of the plate.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/images/443320.jpg