door panel material crinkling
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton
door panel material crinkling
the material is crinkling up. It is a 2016 C7 coupe, always garaged, usually with the windows down. I just noticed this the other day on the passenger door. It runs along the top of the door,front to back. The driver door has two small blemishes. Has anyone else seen this? I took it to a recommended upholstery shop and they said it would be cheaper to replace the side panel. GM parts is around $600 plus labor.
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Damn, have not seen that problem before. Maybe post a WTB ad here on the forum and see if someone has a mint door panel for sale.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Never seen this before. Ouch!
See if you find panels in your area to pick up. They should run about $300 or less each used.
What gets you is shipping if you chose to get them long distance.
I bought a complete 2LT set for a previous C7 I had that suffered some heat bubble and wrinkles in the panels.
Like new set I bought here on the forum were about $650 shipped. Buying a set from the same seller and having them shipped in the same box saved some scratch.
You'd save about $200 if you find them somewhat local.
See if you find panels in your area to pick up. They should run about $300 or less each used.
What gets you is shipping if you chose to get them long distance.
I bought a complete 2LT set for a previous C7 I had that suffered some heat bubble and wrinkles in the panels.
Like new set I bought here on the forum were about $650 shipped. Buying a set from the same seller and having them shipped in the same box saved some scratch.
You'd save about $200 if you find them somewhat local.
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
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Did you get the windows tinted? Wonder if they used hydrochloric acid instead of soap! I have not seen this one before.
As mentioned above I'd check the FS section for a new door panel. They come up fairly often. Best of luck.
As mentioned above I'd check the FS section for a new door panel. They come up fairly often. Best of luck.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 118
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That's what I'm wondering too. Windows tinted and they used too much soapy water. I've seen some videos of tinters just hosing the door panel down with soapy water. Maybe it soaked in to the foam under there and caused the adhesive to shrink or fail.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton
no tint on the windows and the window cleaner used is Armour All glass cleaner. Maybe I left glass cleaner residue on the affected area. Thanks for the comments, I'll do a search for a replacement panel. There is a good video about removing the panel.
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
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It's been a routine of mine to never use chemicals on the interior leather or glass.
I have always only used a damp microfiber towel. It works well.
Yeah, puling the panels off is no biggie once you know where all the bolts are and remove them.
A note though, once you go through this process, those panel pins don't let loose easy. They sound like you are breaking something when they come off. Just keep pulling. LOL.
I have always only used a damp microfiber towel. It works well.
Yeah, puling the panels off is no biggie once you know where all the bolts are and remove them.
A note though, once you go through this process, those panel pins don't let loose easy. They sound like you are breaking something when they come off. Just keep pulling. LOL.
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I agree... a chemically caused distortion, one a good upholsterer should be able to replace with a reasonable "look alike" vinyl for less than the cited OEM replacement panel (if you can find one). All the best. 
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I concur that some kind of chemical caused that damage, a new panel would be the best way to go
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 118
Likes: 42
no tint on the windows and the window cleaner used is Armour All glass cleaner. Maybe I left glass cleaner residue on the affected area. Thanks for the comments, I'll do a search for a replacement panel. There is a good video about removing the panel.
https://youtu.be/yduj4HAxzEA
https://youtu.be/yduj4HAxzEA