I don't know about you, but I can't afford to buy a set of nice new door panels to replace my old crappy ones. so My buddy mark and I decided to attempt to make a new set for my camaro, and his rustang. we're going to replace that factory carboard backing material with hardboard (aka masonite). has anyone on here done this and have any suggestions or advice on how to make the process easier?

Thanks-

Eric

 

Door panel prices are out of control. Last fall, I was going to order them from a national supplier that didn't have them in stock, they were on backorder. They didn't have a picture of them and they couldn't be returned. I went to an experinced auto trim and upholestry shop and they made mine for less than half of what the reproduction ones costs. The quality is outstanding, they feel solid: not like the reproduction ones. The POINT? Sometimes with a little searching and agreeing on price before work begins, you can spend less and have a better product. Good luck.

 

Oh, forgot to post the link. If you go to the bottom of the page you I have a few pictures of mine.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2458649/3

 

86TA355SR, you're car is looking good! I've been working on the body of my car alot, and it needs alot more work, but it's coming along.


I've started making my new door panels,

this was one of the original panels (better of the 2)



I bought a sheet of masonite from lowe's, a 4'x4' piece will do both doors (with a little to spare). I cut them down to 2'x4' pieces to make them easier to handle, then I took my factory panels, and removed all of the matierial covering them.




I then took the bare backer, and laid it on top of one of the 2x4 pieces of masonite and traced the outline onto the masonite.



lastly for the day, I cut out the masonite with a jigsaw, I haven't done the holes for the clips yet, I might use different fasteners, I'm not sure yet.


next step after I drill for the fasteners, will be padding and upolestry.

-Eric

 

^^^^NICE! Please do post up more pics as thats the same style and color mine are.

 

so far, it's been really easy, the main thing that going to be a pain, is covering them and making them look good. me and a friend both had the same problem with our door panels coming apart, so we decided to do somthing about it, and neither of us can justify spending $150++ for door panels made of the same garbage the factory used. I'm planning on using black vinyl to cover tham with some kind of foam between it and the backer for comfort. we'll see.

 

i did it! they turned out GREAT!!!!!!!

i also used Masonite.... i think.... i am pretty sure

i just used a little foam padding stuff, worked great, but trim it so it does not go where you plan on the glue holding down the fabric.

and what i did that really worked was put staples threw the board(inside of car to outside) then wrapped the vinyl/fabric around it, pulled tight and bend stapes on top of each other, it worked great and when i let them sit off the car, all the glue came loose, but the staples held the fabric on there!







also that board is thick, have fun attaching the top black piece back on there, maybe try sanding it thinner????????

 

Thank you.

The door panels everyone posted look really good. I'm glad to see people doing an original idea. Keep up the good work.

I'm hoping to get the car broken down for paint and body this winter. I haven't even had the Trans Am out this year because of other commitments. But, I have taken some time to write down what I want done with the paint, powder and chrome. I just can't seem to find time to get it started. I met with a excellent painter/restorer last weekend and we are throwing around a few ideas. I wanted to do the body work myself, but after thinking about it, I could pay him once, it is done right the first time and I would have the car finished to enjoy. Sounds worth the price of admission to me.

Take care,