r repair---------
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Door Panels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
Door Panels
I have two original door panels for my 77 that have some cracks and a couple of holes from bubba screwing it to the door 
They are slightly warped, but I'm wondering if they can be saved by re-skinning them (about $150 to buy new skins) and heating them up to reshape. New panels will run at least $250 - $300 for replicas if not more.
Anyone ever re-skin door panels? Is it hard? Does it look right afterwards? Will heat straighten out the panels when re-installed?
Thanks guys!
They are slightly warped, but I'm wondering if they can be saved by re-skinning them (about $150 to buy new skins) and heating them up to reshape. New panels will run at least $250 - $300 for replicas if not more.
Anyone ever re-skin door panels? Is it hard? Does it look right afterwards? Will heat straighten out the panels when re-installed?
Thanks guys!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by USA SHARK
I have two original door panels for my 77 that have some cracks and a couple of holes from bubba screwing it to the door
They are slightly warped, but I'm wondering if they can be saved by re-skinning them (about $150 to buy new skins) and heating them up to reshape. New panels will run at least $250 - $300 for replicas if not more.
Anyone ever re-skin door panels? Is it hard? Does it look right afterwards? Will heat straighten out the panels when re-installed?
Thanks guys!
They are slightly warped, but I'm wondering if they can be saved by re-skinning them (about $150 to buy new skins) and heating them up to reshape. New panels will run at least $250 - $300 for replicas if not more.
Anyone ever re-skin door panels? Is it hard? Does it look right afterwards? Will heat straighten out the panels when re-installed?
Thanks guys!
I have a set of panels (black) that I will be pulling off in the next few months if you are interested. I already bought the new panels but have too many projects going on so I have not installed my new ones yet.
My old drivers side is probably about 10 years old but almost looks new no cracks or holes. The passenger side is probably original and has some cracks on the armrest but otherwise looks good. I believe the crack could be repaired by one those vinyl repair guys that go around car yards. When I get rid of them I will be after $120 shipped. let me know if you are interested. I probably won't have them off the car till early december.
Pete
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
Thanks for the offer, but it's not just a matter of saving a little money as it is using the original doors. I hear a lot about after market items not fitting properly, so if the originals could be saved, it might be worth it. If the after markets are equal to the originals, I'll probably just opt for the replacements.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 120,798
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte NC
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Can anyone recommend a source for new door skins? I've only found a driver's side skin from GM Restoration Parts & a company in Australia that makes both sides, but they're over $400 each! 
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
removed the windshield trim pieces ,map pocket ,dash pad, ordered can of paint/dye and can of leatherque crack filler(about $35.00)cleaned parts and removed foam backing from speaker areas that were cracked ,glued in plastic cards in back of holes and filed holes in with crack filler ,let dry re applied, sanded and painted, then clear coated-also repaired busted corners of map pocket also using plastic cards with j.b. weld---------filled in with leatherique,sanded ,painted,,started almost 2 weeeks ago and istarted re-installing today,while parts were drying i also worked on other areas of car,took my time so you might speed things up a bit
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
can of paint /dye(around $15.00) i ordered from corvette central(there supplier is ''corvette america'') and the leatherique crack filler is following web site---http://www.leatherique.com/--that was under $20.00-- then i used some sand paper,,old plastic credit cards(actually a old blue cross card)and a can of clear coat(sometimes the dye/paint will dry a little on the flat side--sometime it will have more gloss-so i just shot everything with clear -
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