interior door panel re-apolstering, How?

[crazi-85crx]

the vinyl part of my 85 crx interior door panels are ripped up. how can i re-apolster them? or should i just get a stupid vinyl patch kit?

[lxndr]

NOOOoooo! Vinyl patch kits don't work!

If you're talking about the upper half of the door panel, it's relatively easy. Take the door panel off the car and remove the screws that hold the upper half of the panel to the lower half. Once you have the upper half seperated you'll need to carefully peel off the old vinyl. This is where things start to get involved, since the vinyl is glued to the foam underneath. If you can pull the vinyl off without ripping the foam then you're in the clear, if you do rip the foam you'll either need to repair it or replace it. Another alternative is to glue the new vinyl over the top of the old vinyl. I don't recommend this method but it will be easier for a novice. The only problem with this method will be that you can see the tears in the old vinyl under the new vinyl.

You'll need hi-temp contact adhesive to glue the new vinyl on (and to repair the foam), DO NOT buy foam adhesive from the fabric store, it won't work! You will need to use DAP contact adhesive or 3M 90 spray adhesive, both of which can be found at any Home Depot. You will also need a heat gun (from Home Depot).

Measure the upper half of the door panel and cut the new vinyl several inches too big. Keep in mind that you will also be wraping the vinyl over the edges, and you can always cut of the excess.

Follow the directions on the can of adhesive EXACTLY! Spray or brush it onto both the vinyl and foam then wait until the glue starts to get tacky. Lay the new vinyl in position then use the heat gun to heat the areas where the vinyl has to go around sharp corners or curves. Work in small sections with the heat gun then lightly stretch the vinyl into position and press it into the adhesive with your hand. The heated vinyl will be very stretchy and will conform to just about any shape you want it to.

Once you have the front side done you will need to wrap it around the edges, cut off the excess, and screw it back together.

[crazi-85crx]

thanks, i'll have to find some nice black vinyl now. i suggested patches because the guy i bought it from used them, but they do look pretty bad. i'll have to post pics when i'm done.

[lxndr]

Hmmm,

I just remembered you have an '85, the door panels are a little different than those on my '86.

The vinyl has a pattern heat pressed into it and you won't be able to copy it without more advanced upholstery experience. I've never taken an '85 door panel apart, but I imagine that the vinyl has a foam backing behind it and another layer of material behind the foam, then the pattern is heat pressed together and the whole piece is glued to the door panel.

I would recommend recovering both door panels and gluing on some new foam under the vinyl. Open cell foam is easier to work with, but closed cell foam is better. With open cell foam you can just glue on a 1/4" piece and glue the new vinly right over it, but open cell foam is softer and won't last as long. Closed cell foam needs to be scuffed up on both sides with 80 grit sand paper before you can glue it in order to take the slick film off of it, but closed cell foam is firmer, thinner (1/8"), and will last longer.

[crazi-85crx]

oh okay, i try the ol' trial n error. i'm sure they'll turn out just fine.