Looks great, Drew!

 

I'm thinking about tackling mine based upon the inspirations I've gained here. One question though, once the panel is sprayed with two coats of the 3M adhesive, how much time do I have to work the cloth and smooth it into place? And, you smooth the cloth in place before pressing the pleats in place?

While I'm at it, I'd really like to replace the cloth but that complicates the job a bit and I need to find the fabric. Anyone found a source for it?

Yours sure look nice compared to mine.

 

SMS Auto Fabrics has the NOS fabric material for the 87's and likely other years. I've ordered a sample of the grey and should be getting pricing from them shortly.

I'll share the info when I get it from them.

 

Thanks! That'll keep all of us from deluging them with the same sample request. I'll be anxious to hear your results as I imagine others will be too. Now, I just to find another auto upholstery guy ... the guy I've used for years is now too old and seemingly winding down his business :-(

 

The 3M adhesive is a contact adhesive. You spray both surfaces, wait until it's at least tacky, and then when the two surfaces touch it's stuck RIGHT NOW FOREVER. There's really no repositioning, especially after applying any pressure. Read the instructions on the can, and it should give the upper time limit, but generally I'd worry more about sticking it too soon.

I worked the fabric where I wanted it as applied. Because again, once it's down, it's staying there.

 

Ahhh, good to know. I should have recalled that from using it years ago on a headliner job in a 1986 Buick Regal. Once I stick the fabric, then I'd press those "pleats" in place?

 

I swept the fabric down, and pressed each pleat as I came to them, being sure not to let the loose end contact the backing until it was exactly where I wanted it. Think of it like sticking a decal, start at the center and work out. Except in this case, I was starting near the front since the front was OK, and working to the back edge of the door panel.

That's why I used my cardboard spacer (folded and taped into a 3" tall triangle) to keep the surfaces apart until I was ready for them to be stuck.

 

Does anybody offer replacements yet? I just bought some for Hawks that were supposed to be a replacement, but they are CRAZY different. They don't even look close.

Here is my car and what they sent? I confirmed this is the closest offering they have for these. See below pictures. any help is appreciated.

 

Can you locate fabric similar to what was originally on the car? The indented lines are still below the fabric as the glue is all that failed. If you can locate similar fabric, you can recover your originals with fabric adhesives.

 

https://www.stockinteriors.com/doorpanels/12024