Installing Door Panel Tips?

[Dave Z]

Received and installed new door panels for my '75. According to the instructions, I am suppsed to use an awl and poke holes to match the screw holes in the door itself. Is there a way to avoid having to do this? My old panels were cracked and split around these points and I have seen photos of other interiors where you can't see any screws on the panels. It seems a shame to purposely start a potential tear/split to drive an unsightly screw in the first place.

 

[GaryS]

Aren't there places where the door panel requires screws? Arm rest and things like that? How do you intend to attach those? Just curious.
Gary

 

[Dave Z]

Yes, I believe there are 4 places to drive screws (tops and sides). The arm rests are built in to the door panels, so there is no attachment for those required. Currently, I have them "hanging" firmly in place. There are still gaps were the screws are required.

 

[crause]

You might check with a local upholstry shop. I have seen the holes with a metal ring around them kind of like a washer to prevent the tearing. Not sure how they are installed but sounds like a good solution to your problem.

Andy

 

[Nick in OKC]

You might also look for an "auto trim" shop

We have one here that does upholstery, convertible tops, etc. They are the place to go for odd interior fasteners. Perhaps they would have a suggestion on how to attach it without screws. Perhaps a hook and loop fastener like Velcro could be used. I'm just thinking out loud. I've never done anything like this.

 

[Checklst]

To keep holes from tearing in plastic, vinyl, and nylon carpet ECT......You need to melt/seal the hole, I use a fine tipped solder iron. You can use the awl to angle the hole in the right place but then come back and use the hot iron tip to seal the edges.

Just a thought

 

[Dave Z]

All good thoughts. Thanks everybody. I am leaning toward the velcro solution. I like the gromet idea in conjunction with sealing the edges with heat. I was just hoping to have them in place without the screws showing. I also found the door panel fasteners in the Corvette America catalog. They require 5 per panel and are to be used with the screws.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I had to poke the holes in mine as well but the new door panels were molded plastic rather than press board like the old ones. The holes in the plastic had metal rings around them and I simply poked holes through the skin to match the holes in the plastic. I think they were made by Corvette America but bought through The Last Detail

 

[brusso]

I have never replaced the panels before, but maybe using a small drill bit that is smaller than the screw would work? A drill bit hat would be used as a tap drill for the same screw size in hole that was to be tap threaded would work. That way you don't have the material expanding while putting in the scew.