Graemeinvette

My door panels are in good general condition, except that they are warped. The centers are bowed in such that the window winder and door lock are loose and the outside edges are bowed out so that you can see behind them. Is there any way of fixing this? I have thought about applying heat to the inside etc but worry about the material on the exposed side.

Any Ideas? :confused: :confused: :cheers:

71-LS5

It sounds like the plastic clips on the back of the door panels are not holding. Did you try to remove the panels to see if the clips are still there or are broken? If you have original door [anels, I believe they were made out of a fiber board material so I don't think heating would work. Newer or repro panels will have an abs or similar backing that may respond to heating. THe problem is too much heat and you can damage the face of the door panel. Good luck.

Graemeinvette

Thanks for that, I did have the panels off and was unaware of any plastic clips, so I can take it they are missing. That could help!! :cheers:

Edzred72

If the clips don't hold the panel from warping, try a heat gun on the back side. Keep the gun moving back and forth untill you think it's hot enough to straighten the panel. Hold it in place for a while till it cools. What have you got to loose? If they are that bad, your going to replace them anyway.
Eddie

Graemeinvette

Thats kind of what I was planning, before I knew about the clips.

Thanks :cheers: :cheers:

NHvette

The "plastic clips" - are these the ones that look like velcro on steroids ?

My door panels have the same issue - warped pressboard. Maybe some
moisture to loosen them up - hold in place and let 'em dry up with a little
"reverse" warp. I don't know - long way from this problem.

Hi Graeme - greetings to Edinburg - My great great Grandfather was from Edinburg.

-Dave McClure

paintdaddy

Yep !!Most of the time I have noticed ,these clips do not hold very well or they have realeased from the door panel completely.I have also noticed that most of the C3s out there are missing the metal clips that attach around the edges of the door panel ,I guess over years people lost them or broke them but never replaced them .If you have those clips on ,they should force the panel straight. :cheers:

vettfixr

I'm with paintdaddy on this. I think the metal clips will do more to straighten the panels than the plastic and they won't pop when you close the door because they are held in shear by the screw going in the door.

Graemeinvette

I have the metal clips and they are OK so I guess that I try the plastic ones. My panels are aftermarket so maybe the heat gun treatment plus plastic clips is the way forward.

Thanks guys for all the help

Graemeinvette

Dave,
Thanks for the info. Edinburgh is a great place to live, unfortunately I dont spend enough time there. I commute between The Hague in Holland and Edinburgh each weekend. This and general domestics does not leave a lot of vette time!!

Graeme :cheers: :cheers: