Door Panel Question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Door Panel Question
In looking at my 69 door panels especially the backing, it looks the same as my old 76 panels. That is the backing ONLY . Was the same backing material and molds use from 69 -76???? Just curious.
r
r
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
The original door panels for your 69 would have molded 'paperboard' backing in a tan color.
Most reproduction door panels are made with black abs plastic.
Because the original vinyl 'skin' tends to crack and split, original panels in excellent condition usually bring pretty serious money!
Regards,
Alan
It could well be that the same backing was used for 69 onward.
The original door panels for your 69 would have molded 'paperboard' backing in a tan color.
Most reproduction door panels are made with black abs plastic.
Because the original vinyl 'skin' tends to crack and split, original panels in excellent condition usually bring pretty serious money!
Regards,
Alan
It could well be that the same backing was used for 69 onward.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 25, 2015 at 01:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Hi r,
The original door panels for your 69 would have molded 'paperboard' backing in a tan color.
Most reproduction door panels are made with black abs plastic.
Because the original vinyl 'skin' tends to crack and split, original panels in excellent condition usually bring pretty serious money!
Regards,
Alan
It could well be that the same backing was used for 69 onward.
The original door panels for your 69 would have molded 'paperboard' backing in a tan color.
Most reproduction door panels are made with black abs plastic.
Because the original vinyl 'skin' tends to crack and split, original panels in excellent condition usually bring pretty serious money!
Regards,
Alan
It could well be that the same backing was used for 69 onward.
Thank you
r
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,642
Likes: 3,103
From: Shamong, NJ
I'm going to guess that the panel fiberboard base was the same from 68-77. I have a pile of old panels, and the base on all of them looks the same.
If you look at the picture that Alan posted, you can see a raised horizontal rectangle near the top center of the panel. This is where the door pull cup is located on 68 panels. The 69-77 panels have that small square cutout at the forward end of the rectangle, which is where the top bolt of the 69 up door pulls bolt on. 68 panels wouldn't need the cutout, but otherwise all 68-77 panel backers appears to be the same.
You may want to check with Al Knoch, as I think they now offer repro panels, with the original style fiberboard base.
If you look at the picture that Alan posted, you can see a raised horizontal rectangle near the top center of the panel. This is where the door pull cup is located on 68 panels. The 69-77 panels have that small square cutout at the forward end of the rectangle, which is where the top bolt of the 69 up door pulls bolt on. 68 panels wouldn't need the cutout, but otherwise all 68-77 panel backers appears to be the same.
You may want to check with Al Knoch, as I think they now offer repro panels, with the original style fiberboard base.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
If you carefully you can see the holes in the paper board for the wood grain panel used in a deluxe interior.
I don't see anything though for mounting the extra piece of carpet and it's trim to the lower part of the panel.
Regards,
Alan
If you carefully you can see the holes in the paper board for the wood grain panel used in a deluxe interior.
I don't see anything though for mounting the extra piece of carpet and it's trim to the lower part of the panel.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
I'm going to guess that the panel fiberboard base was the same from 68-77. I have a pile of old panels, and the base on all of them looks the same.
If you look at the picture that Alan posted, you can see a raised horizontal rectangle near the top center of the panel. This is where the door pull cup is located on 68 panels. The 69-77 panels have that small square cutout at the forward end of the rectangle, which is where the top bolt of the 69 up door pulls bolt on. 68 panels wouldn't need the cutout, but otherwise all 68-77 panel backers appears to be the same.
You may want to check with Al Knoch, as I think they now offer repro panels, with the original style fiberboard base.
If you look at the picture that Alan posted, you can see a raised horizontal rectangle near the top center of the panel. This is where the door pull cup is located on 68 panels. The 69-77 panels have that small square cutout at the forward end of the rectangle, which is where the top bolt of the 69 up door pulls bolt on. 68 panels wouldn't need the cutout, but otherwise all 68-77 panel backers appears to be the same.
You may want to check with Al Knoch, as I think they now offer repro panels, with the original style fiberboard base.
Thanks
r
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
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Thank You
r
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
With the [original] fiber panels, you really need to install the water vapor (clear plastic) film or some thin vinyl sheeting with them. Those fiber panels really suck up any water/moisture and then start disintegrating.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
The pressboard backing from AK may be a nice possibility for 68-69 cars.
In talking to him about them at Carlisle I asked about the 70-72 panels that I'd be interested in.
He''s using the same vinyl skin regardless of the backing and the reproduction skin he uses lacks some of the detail, especially in the comfort-weave panel detail, that original 70-72 panels have.
So that makes another reproduction that's enticingly close but still not QUITE right.
Regards,
Alan
The pressboard backing from AK may be a nice possibility for 68-69 cars.
In talking to him about them at Carlisle I asked about the 70-72 panels that I'd be interested in.
He''s using the same vinyl skin regardless of the backing and the reproduction skin he uses lacks some of the detail, especially in the comfort-weave panel detail, that original 70-72 panels have.
So that makes another reproduction that's enticingly close but still not QUITE right.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Hi r,
The pressboard backing from AK may be a nice possibility for 68-69 cars.
In talking to him about them at Carlisle I asked about the 70-72 panels that I'd be interested in.
He''s using the same vinyl skin regardless of the backing and the reproduction skin he uses lacks some of the detail, especially in the comfort-weave panel detail, that original 70-72 panels have.
So that makes another reproduction that's enticingly close but still not QUITE right.
Regards,
Alan
The pressboard backing from AK may be a nice possibility for 68-69 cars.
In talking to him about them at Carlisle I asked about the 70-72 panels that I'd be interested in.
He''s using the same vinyl skin regardless of the backing and the reproduction skin he uses lacks some of the detail, especially in the comfort-weave panel detail, that original 70-72 panels have.
So that makes another reproduction that's enticingly close but still not QUITE right.
Regards,
Alan
r
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
The detail panel is different for your 69 than for 70-72 cars.
I really don't know how accurate the AK vinyl detail is for the 69 panels.
Regards,
Alan
The detail panel is different for your 69 than for 70-72 cars.
I really don't know how accurate the AK vinyl detail is for the 69 panels.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 26, 2015 at 10:51 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Trust me Roger, if you plan to drive your car a lot, leaning over to crank the passenger window down gets old REAL fast. That is why I added power windows to my coupe. I also never had a car with them and to me this was luxury!
The other thing that I hated is pushing in the stupid seat belt button every time that you start the car, to turn off the red fasten seat belt light. Your finger wears the paint off of the gauge bezel.
I changed that also, on mine. Lou.
The other thing that I hated is pushing in the stupid seat belt button every time that you start the car, to turn off the red fasten seat belt light. Your finger wears the paint off of the gauge bezel.
I changed that also, on mine. Lou.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
door panels
So I just got off the phone with Al Knoch. Nice guy, told me he does make the paperback door panel molds which he said he received from GM years ago. Told me the price and even cut $200 off. I may go that route I'll see. Something to think about anyway. Thank you for all the feedback.
r
r
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Seems like there are good and bad to both types of backing material. I'm installing new door panels now with abs and they have more curve than the pressed paper board and it makes it more difficult to pull the bottom in . ( A lot of tension on the panels ) The pressed paper panels flex more and can be pulled in tight without the tension. The only advantage to the abs is that the metal clips that pull the bottom in won't tear the slots when under tension unlike the pressed paper.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Trust me Roger, if you plan to drive your car a lot, leaning over to crank the passenger window down gets old REAL fast. That is why I added power windows to my coupe. I also never had a car with them and to me this was luxury!
The other thing that I hated is pushing in the stupid seat belt button every time that you start the car, to turn off the red fasten seat belt light. Your finger wears the paint off of the gauge bezel.
I changed that also, on mine. Lou.
The other thing that I hated is pushing in the stupid seat belt button every time that you start the car, to turn off the red fasten seat belt light. Your finger wears the paint off of the gauge bezel.
I changed that also, on mine. Lou.
Thanks
Call you soon
r
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,338
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
Seems like there are good and bad to both types of backing material. I The pressed paper panels flex more and can be pulled in tight without the tension. The only advantage to the abs is that the metal clips that pull the bottom in won't tear the slots when under tension unlike the pressed paper.
BTW. My 68 original door panels are just excellent. There is a 1/4 inch crack on one of them!!!! I'm seriously thinking about buying a pair of repro panels just to have them in the future. 10...15 years from now, it may be impossible to buy repro panels.
My original 68 dashboard is like new. My 68 original plastic steering wheel has no cracks. I'm on my second set of seat covers though. No real problems for me with manual windows. The car interior is narrow enough, that I can easily lean over from the driver's seat and roll up the passenger's window. I cleaned up the window interior mechanisms/rollers and it's now so much easier to roll up and down the windows...got rid of the hard caked grease.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Feb 26, 2015 at 11:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Seems like there are good and bad to both types of backing material. I'm installing new door panels now with abs and they have more curve than the pressed paper board and it makes it more difficult to pull the bottom in . ( A lot of tension on the panels ) The pressed paper panels flex more and can be pulled in tight without the tension. The only advantage to the abs is that the metal clips that pull the bottom in won't tear the slots when under tension unlike the pressed paper.
Thanks
r
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
The pressed fiberboard panels flex and are easier to fit in...my opinion.
BTW. My 68 original door panels are just excellent. There is a 1/4 inch crack on one of them!!!! I'm seriously thinking about buying a pair of repro panels just to have them in the future. 10...15 years from now, it may be impossible to buy repro panels.
My original 68 dashboard is like new. My 68 original plastic steering wheel has no cracks. I'm on my second set of seat covers though. No real problems for me with manual windows. The car interior is narrow enough, that I can easily lean over from the driver's seat and roll up the passenger's window. I cleaned up the window interior mechanisms/rollers and it's now so much easier to roll up and down the windows...got rid of the hard caked grease.
BTW. My 68 original door panels are just excellent. There is a 1/4 inch crack on one of them!!!! I'm seriously thinking about buying a pair of repro panels just to have them in the future. 10...15 years from now, it may be impossible to buy repro panels.
My original 68 dashboard is like new. My 68 original plastic steering wheel has no cracks. I'm on my second set of seat covers though. No real problems for me with manual windows. The car interior is narrow enough, that I can easily lean over from the driver's seat and roll up the passenger's window. I cleaned up the window interior mechanisms/rollers and it's now so much easier to roll up and down the windows...got rid of the hard caked grease.
Thanks
r
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Can you find an [unobtrusive] plastic hole plug that will close off that window crank hole? You can use matching vinyl dye to have the same interior color. No, it won't be perfect; but the padded panel will be correct and you can have power windows. 
Another option (what I would likely do) is to acually fill that hole from the backside with a fiber backing, then fill/blend the surface with a polyester resin. As the resin hardens, you can use a piece of similar vinyl to press into the surface to create the 'grain' look. Finally, recolor the whole thing with matching vinyl dye. Much more trouble, but you end up with what you really want.
Another option (what I would likely do) is to acually fill that hole from the backside with a fiber backing, then fill/blend the surface with a polyester resin. As the resin hardens, you can use a piece of similar vinyl to press into the surface to create the 'grain' look. Finally, recolor the whole thing with matching vinyl dye. Much more trouble, but you end up with what you really want.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Feb 27, 2015 at 02:52 PM.