When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm thinking about replacing the driver's door panel for my 98 coupe (slight rip in leather) and I'm wondering if all the 97-04 door panels are the same. Coupe, convertibles, and fixed roof all the same? Thanks for your time
If it's only a "slight rip in leather," why not just look into getting it repaired? Might be much easier and cheaper to go that route than replacing the whole door panel. And someone who's good at leather repair can do it so you'd never know it was ripped to begin with.
A good custom automotive shop can reskin your door panels in either leather or high end vinyl. They literally strip off you old vinyl and install new skin of your choice.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
As far as I know the door panels are all the same. I would agree that you should look into getting the panel repaired first unless you run into a smoking deal on a replacement set of panels.
I'm thinking about replacing the driver's door panel for my 98 coupe (slight rip in leather) and I'm wondering if all the 97-04 door panels are the same. Coupe, convertibles, and fixed roof all the same? Thanks for your time
There was a another thread recently where the guy took a door panel with a tear in the vinyl (I don't think it's leather unless you had something aftermarket installed) down to his local uphosterer and they did a repair that was pretty good.
I bought outer trim/weatherstrip where the window joins the door (at the bottom) but I was told that the same piece on the inside is attached to the door panel -I looked for one at Carlisle but came up empty...
Thanks for the replies. I did go to a car interior shop and they didn't want to touch the door for repairs (though they did great work on my shifter boot). It got the tear from a 5 point seat harness buckle (before I purchased the car). It looks like this.
I don't think there were any production C5's with leather door panels. They were all vinyl and vinyl is tough if not impossible to repair properly. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone reskinning a door panel either except as a very expensive leather option. Door panels are all one piece - you can't buy just the upper or lower half. I'm not sure what I'd do but I think I'd try gluing the tear down and coloring the seam with show polish or die just to see how it looks.
Thanks for the replies. I did go to a car interior shop and they didn't want to touch the door for repairs (though they did great work on my shifter boot). It got the tear from a 5 point seat harness buckle (before I purchased the car). It looks like this.
I would think that would be repairable, but perhaps not invisibly so.
Slight thread hijack, based on your pic: I assume what appears to be delamination of the vinyl on the armrest is common? My Vette has it too. Is there any way to repair that?
I would try one of the leather/vinyl repair kits like the Permatex kit I see in auto parts stores.
From the comments above it doesn't sound like you have much to lose. If it works it is only about $10, if it doesn't you are looking at replacing it anyway.
I used that kit for a leather repair (on a damaged shift ****) and it worked well.
As torn as yours is, it looks like you would need to glue it back together to get some structure and then apply the vinyl repair to make it look normal.
I might have a spare door panel I can sell you. I have light oak interior but the vinyl is black. the PO of my ride had a buddy who converted his light oak to black and gave him the door panels and other interior trim. If interested PM me.
There was a another thread recently where the guy took a door panel with a tear in the vinyl (I don't think it's leather unless you had something aftermarket installed) down to his local uphosterer and they did a repair that was pretty good.
I believe this was me. Had some damage to the top of the driver side door panel. Local upholstery shop fixed for $60. I was very happy with the outcome
Door panels, are they all the same?
A good custom automotive shop can reskin your door panels in either leather or high end vinyl. They literally strip off you old vinyl and install new skin of your choice.
