Custom Interior Doors
heating it would help you stretch it more yes. but required no. i didn't heat my fabric at all. it stretches one way( like left-right but not up-down or vice versa). would have been really nice if it stretched both ways but i managed to get it on without any wrinkles
Originally Posted by lkailburn
heating it would help you stretch it more yes. but required no. i didn't heat my fabric at all. it stretches one way( like left-right but not up-down or vice versa). would have been really nice if it stretched both ways but i managed to get it on without any wrinkles
What did you guys use to reattach the backing to the door panel. I know that the backing is held on by plastic "rivets". If you melt them, then wouldn't it render them useless? So what did you guys use in place of it to reattach the backing to the door panel. I'd like to do my door panels myself, but am stumped at what to use for reattachment.
Originally Posted by randomtask77
What did you guys use to reattach the backing to the door panel. I know that the backing is held on by plastic "rivets". If you melt them, then wouldn't it render them useless? So what did you guys use in place of it to reattach the backing to the door panel. I'd like to do my door panels myself, but am stumped at what to use for reattachment.
first i used my dremel and cutting drill bit(sharp all the way up the drill bit) and cleaned out the insides of the plastic cylinders left behind which you earlier cut the tops off. then i used a running tap and a bottoming tap(actually was a running tap which was broke so i cut the end flat) and taped the inside of each hole. both tap's were 1/4" 20(width, thread pitch). then i already had a ton of tiny 1/4" flat head bolts lying around. they are probably only 1/4" long. on a few of the plastic cylinders i had to use washers as a spacer because the cylinder was alredy soo short!
i hope tihs makes sense to everyone. it is probably the BEST way to do this. because you can simply unscrew and rescrew the panels back together because you've threaded the plastic. no need for using self tapping junk which will ruin itself after one use
-Luke
My door panels looked absolutely crappy. I was gonna re-fabric them but discovered another much easier, cheaper, and faster approach.
Take door panel off, and take it completely apart (handles, swithces, etc.).
Remove door fabric and if you have it, the "carpet" covering the lower door "pockets".
Use lacquer thinner to clean door pieces (EXCEPT WINDOW SWITCHES, AND LOCK SWITCH, THEY ARE BLACK AND WILL LOOK FADED IF YOU CLEAN THEM WITH THE LACQER THINNER). Rub nice and hard to remove all ground in dirt. Mine were tan and I could never get them clean before, the lacquer thinner will remove the topmost surface of the plastic, leaving them new looking and ready for a thourough soaking in your choice of plastic dressing (Armor All etc). This is especially true of the handle on the Teg just rearward of the electric window switches.
Remove the adhesive residue from the carpet on the lower door pockets with the lacquer thinner, it will melt easily without any damage to the plastic. Wipe clean until smooth.
Where the fabric was on the door is a plastic surface identical to the rest of the door. It will have a residue of adhesive on it as well. This will only come off by scrubbing with lacquer thinner and a 3M WHITE SCRUBBER PAD (not green which is too aggressive). This takes some patience.
Remove the speaker grills and peel off the fabric covering. No residue this time, just a cool looking pattern.
Liberally coat everything in plastic dressing, and allow to penetrate.
Re-assemble door panel.
When you are done you should have a door that looks brand new! It will clean very easily, and not get damaged like fabrics (also 100% waterproof).
Sorry no pics.
Take door panel off, and take it completely apart (handles, swithces, etc.).
Remove door fabric and if you have it, the "carpet" covering the lower door "pockets".
Use lacquer thinner to clean door pieces (EXCEPT WINDOW SWITCHES, AND LOCK SWITCH, THEY ARE BLACK AND WILL LOOK FADED IF YOU CLEAN THEM WITH THE LACQER THINNER). Rub nice and hard to remove all ground in dirt. Mine were tan and I could never get them clean before, the lacquer thinner will remove the topmost surface of the plastic, leaving them new looking and ready for a thourough soaking in your choice of plastic dressing (Armor All etc). This is especially true of the handle on the Teg just rearward of the electric window switches.
Remove the adhesive residue from the carpet on the lower door pockets with the lacquer thinner, it will melt easily without any damage to the plastic. Wipe clean until smooth.
Where the fabric was on the door is a plastic surface identical to the rest of the door. It will have a residue of adhesive on it as well. This will only come off by scrubbing with lacquer thinner and a 3M WHITE SCRUBBER PAD (not green which is too aggressive). This takes some patience.
Remove the speaker grills and peel off the fabric covering. No residue this time, just a cool looking pattern.
Liberally coat everything in plastic dressing, and allow to penetrate.
Re-assemble door panel.
When you are done you should have a door that looks brand new! It will clean very easily, and not get damaged like fabrics (also 100% waterproof).
Sorry no pics.


