Can't take the door panels any longer.

[95Ethirty4]

Hey everyone, I have been working on my baby today and I just can't take the door panel cards any longer. The cards have pulled away, but the backing behind them has bubbled and pulled away too. Needless to say they are a mess. Luckily my door panels were a limited run for the '95 E34 only. So they are prety much unobtanium. I have talked to a couple of local upholestery shops and they don't want any part of it.
I don't know if I want to go with used door panels since they will eventually do the same thing. My leather seats and every other part of the interior is flawless. But the door panels look like hammered s&#t. What have you guys done to fix your door panels? Gluing won't work fo me since the panel the covering I am gluing to has pulled away from the panel underneath. I would like to have them re-upholestered but not at the price that the car is worth. Any help is appreciated.

[Analog]

This might not fix all your problems, but this was my restoration project.

I decided to revive the rear door panels. They were in terrible condition...

Fresh off the car: :eek:

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0274-1.jpg


I have never seen a door panel peel worse than that! Something had to be done..

I had a spare tan door panel in nice shape. I pulled the insert off to be used as a template for the cloth to be laid over. The door insert will then be bolted and glued to the door. No more peeling! :D

I began dying it, and the results were better than expected! :redspot

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0272-2.jpg


I'm going to swap a black door pull on so the high wear areas won't wear and show tan.

And here is where I am at for tonight. I'll update tomorrow.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0277.jpg

I finished painting the panel with Dupli color flat black.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0287.jpg


Then, I pulled the cover off the insert, drilled holes in it so it could be bolted to the door later.

I then covered it in "batting" which is a soft material so the door insert will have an OE plushness to it. I used 3M spray adhesive. Awesome stuff.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0288.jpg

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0289.jpg


I used two layers of batting, so it would hide the screw heads.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0295.jpg


Here comes the fun part...Using a liberal amount of spray adhesive, spray down the insert, and carefully lay down the fabric on top. Make sure everything lines up before applying pressure!

And remember to leave the bolts in the door insert while doing this.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0296.jpg


Once the covering is laid down, go steal your girlfriend's/wife's bobby pins and a few index cards. The index cards keep the bobby pin from leaving a mark on the covering. Make sure you use an ample amount of adhesive here, and let it set up for 10-15 minutes before moving to the next section.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0304.jpg

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0303.jpg

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0301.jpg


Once the insert is dry, spray the backside with plenty of adhesive.

Next, get your wife/girlfriend out of the kitchen for a helping hand to insert the bolts through the door panel. I used large washers on the back side for even distribution.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0308.jpg


Now it's time to admire your work and kick back for a few minutes while the glue sets up. Now is a great time to fix any other leather stretch areas on the door panel as well.

I'll have installed pics soon.

From trash:

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0307.jpg


To class :D

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0305.jpg

Installed:

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/loganturn724/DSC_0310.jpg

[Binjammin]

1995 model door panels typically hold up better than previous generations, if I were you I'd pull the panels off and inspect the doors to see why you're getting moisture in the door panels.

Second, all e34 door panels are interchangeable. Your 95 will accept any other year door panel with no problems other than they won't be gathered leather. 95 models are also by NO means rare, and if you hunt around here, ebay, and many other places you'll be able to source a set.

[nitrouso]

Dang, that's a real nice job of restoring them.

[T444E]

1995 model door panels typically hold up better than previous generations, if I were you I'd pull the panels off and inspect the doors to see why you're getting moisture in the door panels.

Second, all e34 door panels are interchangeable. Your 95 will accept any other year door panel with no problems other than they won't be gathered leather. 95 models are also by NO means rare, and if you hunt around here, ebay, and many other places you'll be able to source a set.

1995 Leather door panels do. I've seen those vinyl Value Package ones get seriously beat up like Pre-95 panels. OP May have a VP 525.

EDIT: He has leather seats so I can assume leather door panels.

[95Ethirty4]

Yeah I have the tan leather door panels, the value package ones. I have found a few here and there, but they are always in poor condition like mine. They actually look worse than the ones above, the rest of the interior is perfect. My problem is the vinyl behind the insert has come unglued and has shrunk. It is also peeling away around the edges of the door handles and such. So I will most likely need to source out a set and replace them.
Thanks for the info on repairing the inserts. When I find a set I may redo the inserts with masonite or something like that. I will have to investigate the moisture siuation. That is something that I will address when I remove the panels. Maybe I'll go ahead and invest in new window sweeps. I appreciate all of the help.
Awesome write-up by the way, that would be a great thread in the DIY forum.

[GIANUCCI E30]

Too bad your far and you have parchment. Found some goodies today right up your alley

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww200/gianucci/reddoor4.jpg?t=1304219108
http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww200/gianucci/reddoor2.jpg?t=1304219108
http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww200/gianucci/reddoor1.jpg?t=1304219108
http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww200/gianucci/reddoor4-1.jpg?t=1304219341

[GLTHFJ60]

Wanted to give some props to Analog for posting this up. That's an elegant solution and I intend to copy you in the near future.:cool