NEED IDEAS to fix LS door panel insert!
NEED IDEAS to fix LS door panel insert!
The fabric insert in my driver's-side door panel has pulled away several different times. I removed the staples and have tried a number of adhesives but, to no avail.I'm sure this has happened to someone else who, in turn, came-up with a novel idea for how to fix it once and for all.Please share your brilliant idea...I will be most grateful!!! :help I'm desperate for a solution. I try to keep my '93 240SX convertible in ship shape and this has become a nusance and an eyesore.This is the first time I've used this forum...hope I've done it right.I may be e-mailed at [email protected]. Thank you!
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guyaverage
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:48 am
- Car: Nissan 240SX Convertible
My vert had the exact same problem when I bought it. As a matter of fact, while looking for a vert to buy EVERY single one I looked at had this problem.
You will need to remove the whole door panel(s) and remove the insert(s)... (I had to do the front and back, all four were falling out). Clean all the dust and junk off the backs really well (off the inserts AND door panels). Remove all of those worthless staples.
Get yourself about a billion sheet metal screws, no longer than 3/8's inch or so (that look like the ones shown here: screws .... From the backside of the door panel, in the flange where the door panel and fabric insert overlap, drill small (1/16 inch or so) pilot holes about an inch or 2 apart, about a 1/4 inch (or a smidge more) or so from the edge. Go around the panel, you will end up with about 30-40 (or whatever) holes. All of these are for the screws that are now going to hold the fabric panel to the door panel, instead of the staples. Find a way to hold the fabric panel TIGHTLY to the door panel good and flush, get a healthy screwdriver, and have at it. ( I sat in a chair, with the door panel held between my legs, using my left hand to hold the fabric panel against the door panel, and used my right hand for the screwdriver. It was kind of awkward). The screws take some force to thread into the fabric panel plastic, but they will go in. After you do 3-4, check to make sure they havent threaded too far and poked thru the fabric. If so, get shorter ones. For the best finish, try to keep the fabric panel against the door panel as tight as you can while you turn the screws. After you are done, check the fabric panel to make sure it is flush with the door panel. Any areas that arent, you can loosen a few of the screws closest and push the panels together TIGHTLY, then rethread the screws. DONT overtighten them, the plastic will tear and strip. You have a bunch of screws holding the panel on, they dont need to be over tight to work well. After all the screws are in, I sealed the joint (from the backside, of course) with silicone as a backup to the screws.
I did this to all 4 of my panels (doors and back seat panels) and they are absolutely tight as drums now, like brand new. It took a few hours to do all the removing and everything, but it is WAY worth the time.
You will need to remove the whole door panel(s) and remove the insert(s)... (I had to do the front and back, all four were falling out). Clean all the dust and junk off the backs really well (off the inserts AND door panels). Remove all of those worthless staples.
Get yourself about a billion sheet metal screws, no longer than 3/8's inch or so (that look like the ones shown here: screws .... From the backside of the door panel, in the flange where the door panel and fabric insert overlap, drill small (1/16 inch or so) pilot holes about an inch or 2 apart, about a 1/4 inch (or a smidge more) or so from the edge. Go around the panel, you will end up with about 30-40 (or whatever) holes. All of these are for the screws that are now going to hold the fabric panel to the door panel, instead of the staples. Find a way to hold the fabric panel TIGHTLY to the door panel good and flush, get a healthy screwdriver, and have at it. ( I sat in a chair, with the door panel held between my legs, using my left hand to hold the fabric panel against the door panel, and used my right hand for the screwdriver. It was kind of awkward). The screws take some force to thread into the fabric panel plastic, but they will go in. After you do 3-4, check to make sure they havent threaded too far and poked thru the fabric. If so, get shorter ones. For the best finish, try to keep the fabric panel against the door panel as tight as you can while you turn the screws. After you are done, check the fabric panel to make sure it is flush with the door panel. Any areas that arent, you can loosen a few of the screws closest and push the panels together TIGHTLY, then rethread the screws. DONT overtighten them, the plastic will tear and strip. You have a bunch of screws holding the panel on, they dont need to be over tight to work well. After all the screws are in, I sealed the joint (from the backside, of course) with silicone as a backup to the screws.
I did this to all 4 of my panels (doors and back seat panels) and they are absolutely tight as drums now, like brand new. It took a few hours to do all the removing and everything, but it is WAY worth the time.
Thank you, guyaverage, for your prompt reply. Your resolve had been a consideration in the past but I had not proceeded because of a concern that I would completely destroy the panel and then be in pursuit of a replacement.It's assuring to know that you have already done it and that your efforts were successful.Before screwing the insert to the panel my prep is going to involve the tedious task of removing the build-up of adhesives used for past repair without damaging either part. Any suggestions ?By the way, having up-graded the rear speakers, I DID use screws to re-attach the panels but had to do it from the front. Naturally, they were visually disturbing, so I painted some screw caps grey and siliconed them on. They, actually, look fine and will be easy to remove if need be.For the doors I didn't want to do the same (these panels would be more permanent) so your input is greatly appreciated!Continue to enjoy your 'vert' as much as I do and...Thanks, again!!!
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guyaverage
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:48 am
- Car: Nissan 240SX Convertible
How to remove the adhesive is dependant on what kind it is. Ethyl alcohol will loosen silicone (what it will do to the plastic door panel is another story... I'm really not sure what it will do to plastic). Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol will safely disolve a lot of adhesives without hurting anything else. "Goo Gone" works well too but kind of leaves an oily residue that needs to be washed off. A little heat from a hair dryer (obviously be CAREFULL when heating the plastic!) will soften dried adesives, and some mild scotchbrite pads (and lots of patience) will work well too.
Whoever had my vert before me used small screws to hold the panels from the outside, but luckily they only used 4 on each panel, spaced them very evenly, and used really small ones that were painted a flat black. They actually looked almost like a factory job, so I left them there. They are barely even noticeable. Luck for me I guess!
Now if it would only warm up here.....
Whoever had my vert before me used small screws to hold the panels from the outside, but luckily they only used 4 on each panel, spaced them very evenly, and used really small ones that were painted a flat black. They actually looked almost like a factory job, so I left them there. They are barely even noticeable. Luck for me I guess!
Now if it would only warm up here.....
So quick with a response, guyaverage!!! Thank you!I'm not sure what the last adhesive was because it was used by the technicians who installed a stereo system. I have an idea I'm going to have to carefully experiment a bit. I asked the question hoping there was some kind of miracle solvent that I don't know about.I have a feeling that your statement "lots of patience" is, most definitely, going to apply to this task.On another note...you must live in the north?! I moved from MA to Clearwater, FL last July. Not the best time to arrive in this state but, I was so thankful this winter as I watched the extremes my home state experienced throughout the season...and, still is!Warm your spirits...spring is right around the corner!I have posted another thread...maybe you have a response to it.Since I purchased my car used about 6 years ago and I'm a perfectionist about having everything on it right and operating, I'll have several more questions before I'm done (i.e. lights for HVAC panel quit, cruise control quit, etc.)I'm grateful that I recently found this site...alot of good people willing to help one another!Until later, Barbara
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guyaverage
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:48 am
- Car: Nissan 240SX Convertible
