Upholstery help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 212
Likes: 18
From: Bucks County, PA
Upholstery help
My dad had the interior redone in Tue 90s to red with Corvette America door panels, I believe. They are defiantly not OEM. Anyway, on the driver side top the vinyl has popped out of the trim strip as you can see from the pics. I have tried several different adhesives and used painters tape to hold the vinyl in place while they cured, but it continues to pull out. What is the best way to fix this other than buying a new panel?
Thanks!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tUvq4etfkp3ZzQ412
https://photos.app.goo.gl/lmXdsEs70cxrkDkd2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yc8eMvFvhZ1Y0Cgb2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yc8eMvFvhZ1Y0Cgb2
Thanks!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tUvq4etfkp3ZzQ412
https://photos.app.goo.gl/lmXdsEs70cxrkDkd2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yc8eMvFvhZ1Y0Cgb2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yc8eMvFvhZ1Y0Cgb2
Last edited by M Pete; Mar 6, 2018 at 09:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi MP,
If you decide to replace the panel the one that's there is going to have to come off.
SO, I'd give repairing the damaged panel a try first.
When the panel is off the door you'll be able to remove the 'inner seal' (the whisker strip).
When that's off you may have better success in pulling the vinyl back in place and getting it secured UNDER the strip....when you replace the strip.
I think the the chance of success depends on if the vinyl has in fact 'slipped', or if it has actually ripped.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan
If you decide to replace the panel the one that's there is going to have to come off.
SO, I'd give repairing the damaged panel a try first.
When the panel is off the door you'll be able to remove the 'inner seal' (the whisker strip).
When that's off you may have better success in pulling the vinyl back in place and getting it secured UNDER the strip....when you replace the strip.
I think the the chance of success depends on if the vinyl has in fact 'slipped', or if it has actually ripped.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
It looks like the foam underneath swelled-expanded and split the vinyl. Maybe separate seam from top of panel and sand-file-scrape the foam down and see it it'll reattach. But obviously not until you are ready to pull the trigger on a replacement.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 550
Likes: 58
From: Columbus Mississippi
You can not glue to that soft open cell foam....will not work. You could remove skin and add a scrap piece of vinyl to lengthen ( hiding the sew line under the window trim ) then glue the scrap to the hard board. That would be the cheapest.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,539
Likes: 1,972
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Door panel
I would remove the door panel and take it to an automotive upholstery shop. They will, most likely, steam a good portion of the vinyl upper panel and reattach it to the panel with contact cement and staples. If need be, they can trim the padding. I had this done on my 68 and it lasted for about 20 years. Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
Looks like a tear. In the upper left you can just make out that the vinyl has split with part of the vinyl still remaining attached to the chrome. If true the only hope is to disassemble it and try to add a reinforcing piece below. But being in a high stress area, I doubt the repair would last. If time is on your side (more than money), if it were me, I would try to repair it and see what happens. Ike
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 212
Likes: 18
From: Bucks County, PA
Thanks all! I like the idea or disassembly and adding another piece of vinyl and try to attach it back some how. Like mentioned, replacing one door would probably mean replacing both unfortunately so I'm going to try anything to get this back in.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 207
Likes: 53
I have bought some door panels from them also .The fitment is crap .I suspect you have same issue as I do .When I took off oem one it is flat on the inside facing door.The panels from corvette america have a plastic backing that actually is not flat and has a bow in them facing inward to door.When you try to screw them down in place it tries to bow the opposite way causing it to stretch the opposite way .I fear if I use them this will happen to me .
after paying up over 400 bucks for these and 5 emails in 2 months to them they have not responded 1 bit .
Now as I try to redo my interior I have major concerns buying anything from them again .POOR QUALITY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
after paying up over 400 bucks for these and 5 emails in 2 months to them they have not responded 1 bit .
Now as I try to redo my interior I have major concerns buying anything from them again .POOR QUALITY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
Last edited by IronMaidens2.0; Mar 7, 2018 at 06:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
My eyes see a tear , I honestly don't think you can fix it .
I have gotten door panels "fixed" by getting an upholsterer to add a whole new full length top section down to either a trim line /or ending with a stitched edge . Yes its not original but with both doors done its still cheaper (than buying matching new ones ) and better looking than it is now .
I have gotten door panels "fixed" by getting an upholsterer to add a whole new full length top section down to either a trim line /or ending with a stitched edge . Yes its not original but with both doors done its still cheaper (than buying matching new ones ) and better looking than it is now .
