Painting door panels

[Project_tc07]

So I have been looking around and it seems everyone is refabricing their door panels. What I want to know is if anyone knows if under the fabric is the surface smooth or are there any clips or rivets that you would have to smooth out... The reason I ask is because I want to paint the sections like I did my dash pieces. Any help is great thanks

[THansenite]

Under the black fabric, there is a thin foam glued to the panel. This stuff is a pain to get off. I spent many hours sanding to get all of the foam and adhesive off to a point that I could glue down the leather.

This is what it looked like after I was done sanding it down (sorry its blurry):
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/THansenite/Door%20Panel/DSCN0677.jpg

With leather glued on:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/THansenite/Door%20Panel/DSCN0679.jpg

Finished Panel:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/THansenite/Door%20Panel/DSCN0686.jpg

Installed in the car:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/THansenite/Door%20Panel/DSCN0694-1.jpg

[Project_tc07]

Looks sick, nice job... In ur opinion if I got it off could a body shop smooth it out with bondo or filler so that it would take on a smooth finish... I work for a car dealer and the body shop we deal with is real good and did my waterfall and what nots.

[THansenite]

I don't think it would work. If you smooth it out with filler, it will crack putting it back in. You have to flex the piece a little bit to get it in and out and that would crack bondo. I would cover it in a fabric, leather, or vinyl instead. A material that has a little stretch to it.

[Project_tc07]

Aight well thanks for that info... Now if u dont mind, one more question, how do u get it out?

[THansenite]

To get the door panel off, you have to pop off the piece that goes over the grab handle. There are two bolts behind it that you have to remove. Then, behind the door pull to open the door, you have to pop the little tab open and remove the short screw. Once all three screws are out, put your hand under the door at the corner where it hinges. Grab the panel and give it a few good yanks to pull it off. Be careful though because there are wiring harnesses on both sides. Unhook those, then your door panel is free.

On the back of the panel, there are a bunch of little plastic welds holding the insert in place. I took a dremel with a sanding drum attachment and sanded all of them down so I could pop off the insert. After you get all of them sanded down (there are maybe 20-25), you should be able to pop the insert out.

To put the insert back in, I mounted it where the plastic welds were, then I took some small screws with washers and used those to hold the piece in place. The "columns" under the plastic welds are hollow so you can screw right into them with a small screw.

It is A LOT of work to make it look nice so good luck. :up:

[NOR*TEX]

yes you can use filler to smooth the panel out. if its done right you wont have any problems. it shouldnt crack unless ur bending it over ur knee or twistin the shit out of it. i say go for it. its not in a difficult place to put in and take out.

[Project_tc07]

Thanks for the input TEX... Actually once I got it taken apart and realized what I was dealing with I decided to do just that and the pieces go out to be painted monday morning... But I got a bit of a twist cuz I am doing the rear seat panels too... They were pretty easy to take apart just like the front so I am gonna get those done at the same time... As soon as I get them back in I will throw up some pics and get you all my input and u can let me know what u think!!!

[manjambles]

what kind of glue should i use to adhere the new fabric

[THansenite]

what kind of glue should i use to adhere the new fabric

It took me 3 tries to find a glue that would stick and stay stuck. I used some stuff called Sobo from the Wal-Mart craft department. Squeezed it out in a large zig-zag across the panel, then used a cheap foam brush to spread it across the panel. 8 months later, it is still holding strong. :up:

[Project_tc07]

ok so I just got my panels back earlier today, wow took forever ( 2 months and 3 days to be exact) but I got them... Gonna put it all back together tomorrow and I will throw some pics up tomorrow night.

[Project_tc07]

http://www.clubsciontc.com/media/car_pics/medium/9218.jpg

Rear panel in progress of reassembly

http://www.clubsciontc.com/media/car_pics/medium/9219.jpg

Rear panel on FINALLY

http://www.clubsciontc.com/media/car_pics/medium/9220.jpg

Both panels on passenger side installed, really bad lighting though, will try to get some better pics of them installed!

[20evlvntc09]

Thats looks sick.

[intylekt[ScikoNinja]tC]

What type of paint did you use?