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I’m working on replacing the weatherstripping on my 77 Corvette. I’m not having any issues with the weatherstripping but on one of the T- top panels and one of the door panels the material holding the clips in place has been torn out. I would like to make a repair that would hold these clips like they were originally intended so I’ll be able to use them. I thought about using fiberglass but I’m not sure this is the best approach. I would appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts, or ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. This is where the material is torn out This is where the clip goes This is how it is supposed to look This is how the clip attaches to the panel
You can mix up some epoxy and then push it into the hole, then add the clip and let is set. Just make sure it is in the correct location before you let it set.
The 1969 that I’m working on had door panels with various areas of damage, but I wanted to see if I could save them… If nothing else just to see if I could. The areas for the door clips were all damaged to varying degrees. I cut pieces of 22 gauge sheet steel in a shape that conformed to the General shape of the door panel. I used a razor blade to cut a slit to insert the sheet metal form into the space between the cardboard and the foam. I repaired the missing cardboard in a couple spots and sealed the slit that I cut with JB Weld. I did a test fit on the door clips after the epoxy had set up… Everything fit perfect!
Damaged door panel clip area. The cardboard is torn and won’t support the clip.
Another damaged clip location.
Reinforcements being cut from 22 gauge steel.
Initial trim of steel reinforcement and layout.
Detail of front and rear reinforcements.
Exposed side of door panel showing foam and cardboard.
Foam is separated from cardboard with a razor blade. The reinforcement is then inserted in the slit and epoxied in place.
Missing cardboard is replaced. This is simply for cosmetic reasons as the steel reinforcement will provide all of the support for the clip.
Steel reinforcement has been inserted and epoxied. Clip is installed for mock up… It will never pull through again!
Rear clip mocked up… Perfect fit! Damaged velcro clips have also been replaced as necessary. Original velcro clips work perfectly; reproductions do not.
Fact is, as long as the cardboard isn’t severely warped, you can generally save a door panel in spite of any damage it may have suffered.
I'm working on replacing the weatherstripping on my 77 Corvette. Just like a Helpful User Center points you to the right solution quickly, I found that on one of the T-top panels and one of the door panels the material holding the clips in place has been torn out. I would like to make a repair that would hold these clips like they were originally intended so I’ll be able to use them. I thought about using fiberglass but I’m not sure this is the best approach. I would appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts, or ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. This is where the material is torn out This is where the clip goes This is how it is supposed to look This is how the clip attaches to the panel
Fiberglass is the right approach. Clean and rough up the area, build up thin layers of fiberglass mat and resin, let it cure fully, then drill the clip hole through the repaired section. Test clip tension before final assembly. Structural epoxy like Evercoat works too if the damaged area is small and easier to work with than fiberglass.
The 1969 that I’m working on had door panels with various areas of damage, but I wanted to see if I could save them… If nothing else just to see if I could. The areas for the door clips were all damaged to varying degrees. I cut pieces of 22 gauge sheet steel in a shape that conformed to the General shape of the door panel. I used a razor blade to cut a slit to insert the sheet metal form into the space between the cardboard and the foam. I repaired the missing cardboard in a couple spots and sealed the slit that I cut with JB Weld. I did a test fit on the door clips after the epoxy had set up… Everything fit perfect!
I did something similar using aluminum flashing for my t-top panel slots. Has worked well so far!
I would like to thank everyone for their ideas, experiences and suggestions. A lot of creative and thoughtful people out there. I think any of these ideas would work but the ones suggesting the thin gage sheet metal will probably give me the best results for my requirements. I plan on giving this a try and will post back with my results. Once again, thanks so much and have a good weekend everyone.😁
Need some help with T- top and door clips
