just picked these bad boys up for $15 at the scrap yard, figured id restore and slightly customize them. Id like to go all black. My main 2 questions are how do i remove the cloth fabric and what would be the best way to go about repairing the type of damage in the second picture. thanx.

 

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You cannot remove the fabric easily... I've already tried. I got a good portion of it to separate from the vinyl and backing, but the rest just tears. It seems to be bonded to the vinyl and the backing as though it is a large sandwich of sorts with the fabric in the middle. As to repairing the fiberboard backing, I have no clue, but maybe if you tried to attach a new piece of thin fiberboard that would work. Someone on here has had our door panels recolored and reworked with leather... I hope he chimes in on this....

 

to fix the damage, i would lay down a little fiberglass matting. that's how we fixed a friends door panel on his vw. it worked like a charm.

 

Good project and a good buy! Would those fit my IROC? If not what would I have to mod?


Thanks,
Felix

 

theyd fit in a maro just the same, the only thing that would need to be changed would be the same thing i have to change. Thats the peice the armrest bolts to, standard door panels have armrests thathave blots diagonally mounted, these go straight in to the mounting plate, but thats no problem.

 

Did those panels come equipped with map pockets or did you already remove them? Mine definitely have to come off...

 

they came without, i wish i had them though but oh well. From my understanding they only came without in 87. They came from an 87 formula with an electric 85 mph speedo and an lg4, weird car.

 

Must have been different for the car you pulled the panels from. My '87 has the pockets, and like the ones you have, the fabric is peeling away from the padding underneath. Oh well... I'll have to try again sometime... pulling the pockets, that is.

 

dp

 

That was probably an option in 87 only. Mine are out of my 87 formy. I don't have too many problems with them aside from dust since they've been in my closet for roughly 3 years
I'd say the resin and glass matte or cloth would work pretty good. Just rough the surface a little with 80grit to assure the resin soaks into the doorpanel material.
The only thing those crappy pockets are good for is stuffing reciepts in or maybe.. 1 cd jewel case (2 slim lines..)..

 

How did you get your door panels to separate like that, or was it because of the weathering process?

 

I'm not sure who you are referring to but, if it's me, the picture I posted is of a complete panel. The opposite panel is behind it which does make it seem like I've seperated the exterior from the backing panel but, I haven't. Sorry for the unintentional 'trick image'.

 

I should have guessed. I just guess I am having a "stupid" month...