Door panel resto- backyard style

[SirRobyn0]

The only problem I have had with my door panels is that they look great, so I had to replace the old torn up seat cover, now it looks great too. The dash pad has always been in great shape! So all of this combined now the carpet looks terrible, because everything else looks so great!

 

[Grit dog]

I wonder if I can use a nylon brush on a grinder (or something similar). If there are brush marks after brushing off the paint, maybe the heatgun could smooth them out?

Eh, I’d try it in an inconspicuous spot first.
The heat method won’t take out scratches I don’t think.
Maybe some heavy cut rubbing compound and a polisher but idk if that would get the nooks and crannies.
If the current paint isn’t peeling and just worn through in spots, think I’d be inclined to just spray them the color you want rather than removing the old color. Idk

 

[Grit dog]

The only problem I have had with my door panels is that they look great, so I had to replace the old torn up seat cover, now it looks great too. The dash pad has always been in great shape! So all of this combined now the carpet looks terrible, because everything else looks so great!

Always somethin eh? Good excuse to put a nice rubber floor liner in it?

 

[SirRobyn0]

Always somethin eh? Good excuse to put a nice rubber floor liner in it?

The carpet is kind of like the rear end I haven't done squat with it though I know I need to. Heater Cores and brakes end up being more important.

 

[scenic760]

This is what it’s all about IMO. Anyone can flex their Visa card to level 10 and buy ALL new everything.
But not everyone can pull a Diamond out of a goats ass!

Was my goal when we re-did the blue truck. Sure I spent more than some and less than others. But in the end, I feel it was a good mix of value for the effort. And I sorta like “original” looking.
I re-used or found used pieces for most all the cab and trim stuff. To be fair I paid what I thought was a bit of a premium for the truck, partly because there was a lot of little stuff in good condition and serviceable that would have been serious $ to buy new. Could have easily spent another $1000-2000 just on interior bits and other little stuff. Like mirrors. They are a little scratched and a ding in one of them. But no one has ever said or likely even thought, “nice truck but wtf, that ding in the mirror just kills it for me. Looks horrible”.

Like the door panels. Coulda shoulda maybe painted them, but they were decent enough and the oxidation on the tops cleaned up nice with a heat gun. I repainted the door cards and bottom carpet pieces.
Used SEM. It’s held up great on the velour and carpet pieces and as well on a few select plastic pieces.
I haven’t done any big panels of plastic but everyone I’ve seen done looks good and appears to be very durable.

It’s all about what you got, what you are willing to spend and how creative and what you can learn or be proud of doing. IMO.

I've had good success with SEM products...it's not cheap per se but it you take your time, FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AND PREP WELL, it doesn't fade and wears for years.

Flexing the Visa, too funny! And yeah if you start loading that cart up with interior pieces it'll start looking like a Mr. Olympia contest...I did pick up the ACC essex carpet kit that set me back $500 and I started looking at an ABS headliner and dashpad and said hold on turbo your about to drop $2k on a lot of plastic.. reality set in. I'm not restoring a concourse truck so do what makes sense, I bought 7 SEM cans for $80 and got to work...

I tried the heat gun but I didn't have any success... most likely operator error though. The oxidation on the tops was severe and chalky and SirRobyn0's razor blade method was the only thing that worked for me. That texture on the panels is a funny thing. It definitely appears as though from the factory the texture was applied after the panel was molded the way it just comes off?

I tried the SEM texture stuff, using superglue with a chip brush, etc...I bought a craft roller at Wally to try with some surfboard epoxy but kinda gave in when I realized it would never be perfect so either live with the imperfections or flex the visa...I'd rather spend the $$ elsewhere

Love this forum, the members, the ideas getting kicked around, the "learning experiences" and all the success stories...thanks again all!

 

[scenic760]

Quick update...

Here is the finished product...it's not factory correct nor a perfect restoration but much better than what was there! I changed the color to SEM Saddle Tan which almost matches the new upholstery perfectly.

On another note, I was missing one of the bottom retaining clips. I had some silicone mold casting stuff laying around from a hood ornament project and decided not to pay the $2 for the clip, $15 for shipping and wait for a week so I casted one up...once again not exactly a GM authorized reproduction and not perfect, but it's behind the door panel and should hold a screw!

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[Grit dog]

Quick update...

Here is the finished product...it's not factory correct nor a perfect restoration but much better than what was there! I changed the color to SEM Saddle Tan which almost matches the new upholstery perfectly.

On another note, I was missing one of the bottom retaining clips. I had some silicone mold casting stuff laying around from a hood ornament project and decided not to pay the $2 for the clip, $15 for shipping and wait for a week so I casted one up...once again not exactly a GM authorized reproduction and not perfect, but it's behind the door panel and should hold a screw!

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Looks awesome! I’m about to give the plastic inside the 77 a refresh. Got a few cans of SEM on order. Need to hokey rig some new plastic studs for the trim around the door handles and window switches. Or I was thinking magnets. Glue them and metal tabs on in the right spots.

 

[scenic760]

Looks awesome! I’m about to give the plastic inside the 77 a refresh. Got a few cans of SEM on order. Need to hokey rig some new plastic studs for the trim around the door handles and window switches. Or I was thinking magnets. Glue them and metal tabs on in the right spots.

I attached some stainless screw studs with JB weld on some of the door trim pieces that I always check after I slam the door shut, haha

I’m not sure if those are the same clips as the one I had but I’m done with the mold if you want to give it a shot

 

[Grit dog]

I attached some stainless screw studs with JB weld on some of the door trim pieces that I always check after I slam the door shut, haha

I’m not sure if those are the same clips as the one I had but I’m done with the mold if you want to give it a shot

Thank you, but All those clips are present and accounted for. But got some broken plastic studs on the upper door trim pieces. And likely to mess up a couple more during removal. But the panels themselves and the wood grain is like new so not dumping them for new ones.

 

[75 Chevy SWB 4x4]

That turned out great Chris! I'm going to need to get some SEM Saddle tan color for my door panels for my 75 K10.

 

[scenic760]

That turned out great Chris! I'm going to need to get some SEM Saddle tan color for my door panels for my 75 K10.

Much appreciated! I like the Saddle Tan color better than the previous one I did.. a lot "richer"

There used to be a Carquest close to me that carried a full line of SEM products and you could go buy a can to check it out in the real world..I can't find a local supplier anymore.

I think the first color I used I got from Eastwood and then the Saddle Tan I got a 6 pack from Amazon...both times I believe it was about $100.