TX67RT
Well-Known Member
I have some questions about the door panels and arm rest pads in my 67 R/T. I've attached a photo below for reference.
The door panels are original, and are in decent condition. My concerns are that they are age-yellowed a bit, and there is some puckering of the vinyl around the arm rest bases. When I was showing the car back in the late '80's, reproduction door panels weren't available. And, honestly, mine were pretty good, so I didn't have a big incentive to do anything with them.
Fast forward a couple of decades or so, and now there are so many more restoration/reproduction parts available. And, because of this, expectations have come up quite a bit. As I'm planning to get her back out this spring after quite a few years of covered storage, I want to attend to a few things that now bug me.
I'd like to keep the original door panels in the car since they're the ones the factory installed. But, I'd like to work out the wrinkles and have them re-dyed. My thinking is to remove the panels and use a heat gun to soften and straighted out the vinyl. I'd need a product to glue them back down to the backer boards (3M spray adhesive?). Anyone tried this, or have another prefered method of smoothing the vinyl?
I'm assuming I can purchase the correct pearl white dye that I can have the panels sprayed with. If so, what is the best source/brand? I'd have to find an upholstery shop who is competent to spray the panels, but that shouldn't be too hard in the DFW metro.
My arm rest pads are also worn through to the yellow. I assume these could also be dyed, but the grain is worn smooth in a few areas. What is the best source for reproductions? I'm assuming they'd come in black, and would also need to be dyed.
I appreciate any and all feedback from the members here. I've read completely through several restoration threads, so I know there's a lot of knowledge here.
Thanks in advance!
JD
The door panels are original, and are in decent condition. My concerns are that they are age-yellowed a bit, and there is some puckering of the vinyl around the arm rest bases. When I was showing the car back in the late '80's, reproduction door panels weren't available. And, honestly, mine were pretty good, so I didn't have a big incentive to do anything with them.
Fast forward a couple of decades or so, and now there are so many more restoration/reproduction parts available. And, because of this, expectations have come up quite a bit. As I'm planning to get her back out this spring after quite a few years of covered storage, I want to attend to a few things that now bug me.
I'd like to keep the original door panels in the car since they're the ones the factory installed. But, I'd like to work out the wrinkles and have them re-dyed. My thinking is to remove the panels and use a heat gun to soften and straighted out the vinyl. I'd need a product to glue them back down to the backer boards (3M spray adhesive?). Anyone tried this, or have another prefered method of smoothing the vinyl?
I'm assuming I can purchase the correct pearl white dye that I can have the panels sprayed with. If so, what is the best source/brand? I'd have to find an upholstery shop who is competent to spray the panels, but that shouldn't be too hard in the DFW metro.
My arm rest pads are also worn through to the yellow. I assume these could also be dyed, but the grain is worn smooth in a few areas. What is the best source for reproductions? I'm assuming they'd come in black, and would also need to be dyed.
I appreciate any and all feedback from the members here. I've read completely through several restoration threads, so I know there's a lot of knowledge here.
Thanks in advance!
JD
