Door Panel Armrests Delaminating, Creasing
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
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Door Panel Armrests Delaminating, Creasing
The material covering the armrests on both of my doors is delaminating and peaking up and away from the substrate. I figure this must be pretty common, so is there a guide to disassembling the door panels and fixing this with basic tools and common sense?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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From: Rio Rancho New Mexico
My pass side is doing the same thing, my GF rests her arm in it, so it wore.
My driver side is perfect as I don't rest my arm on it.
I'm sure there is a write up somewhere to address this.
But from the prices I've seen on line for used in better condition, I might just go that route instead of trying to fix the current panel.
My driver side is perfect as I don't rest my arm on it.
I'm sure there is a write up somewhere to address this.
But from the prices I've seen on line for used in better condition, I might just go that route instead of trying to fix the current panel.
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From: Neosho MO
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There really is not an easy fix to the delamination. There are good instructions on how to take the door panel off on the Vette Essentials web site - it is a fairly easy process. Obviously one way to fix it is to just get another door panel that has not delaminated - but most likely it would have to be a used one as I'm not sure GM has them available anymore. Another method would be to have a vendor like Double D Mods or APsis recover the panels in a nice leather.
You could also get a set of the aftermarket stick on armrests and that may cover the area.
I have attached one file that talks about that method and I have another file that is too large to attach that discusses a much more involved process. If you'd like that file, you'll have to PM me your e-mail address.
Good luck - hope something works out for you.
You could also get a set of the aftermarket stick on armrests and that may cover the area.
I have attached one file that talks about that method and I have another file that is too large to attach that discusses a much more involved process. If you'd like that file, you'll have to PM me your e-mail address.
Good luck - hope something works out for you.
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Some say it is caused by humidity and others say it's due to cheap vinyl dressings such as Armor All. However I think it's just the fact that due to the contours of the door design, the adhesive eventually breaks down and the vinyl pulls away. Gravity eventually wins.
If you catch it early, you may be able to cover it with arms rests, however you're basically putting a band-aid over an open wound and not really fixing it.
You can have the panels covered with leather (DD Mods, etc.) or you can have a local upholster recover the panels with new vinyl and better adhesive.