[lfedje]

In preparation for some body work, and to save a couple of bucks, I removed my door panels. Once removed I found the drivers door panel in horrible shape. It was broken in places, warped in the corners, and just simply didn't fit right. Also due to the condition of the damaged areas there was no way that I could get the vinyl to hold and look the way it should. In addition, when you pulled the lower tabs out, rather than the tabs staying with the panel, they would simply tear out and stay with the door.

So I decided to attempt to recreate duplicate panels.

Here is before:

His the new one:

If anyone attempts this, be warned that the panels must be shaped identical, and the holes for tabs at the bottom, and the metal clips that hold the curved top on must be very precisely positioned. I first cut the main panel simply by tracing the existing. I then overlaid the old and new panels together and clamped them giving me exacting positions for drilling and cutting.

I still have to finish off the vinyl wrapping plus glue and staples.

Loren

 

[ttnguyen23]

In preparation for some body work, and to save a couple of bucks, I removed my door panels. Once removed I found the drivers door panel in horrible shape. It was broken in places, warped in the corners, and just simply didn't fit right. Also due to the condition of the damaged areas there was no way that I could get the vinyl to hold and look the way it should. In addition, when you pulled the lower tabs out, rather than the tabs staying with the panel, they would simply tear out and stay with the door.

So I decided to attempt to recreate duplicate panels.

Here is before:

His the new one:Your new panel looks so good.
What kind of material do you use for the new one?

If anyone attempts this, be warned that the panels must be shaped identical, and the holes for tabs at the bottom, and the metal clips that hold the curved top on must be very precisely positioned. I first cut the main panel simply by tracing the existing. I then overlaid the old and new panels together and clamped them giving me exacting positions for drilling and cutting.

I still have to finish off the vinyl wrapping plus glue and staples.

Loren

Your new panel looks so good.
What kind of material do you use for the new one?

 

[nobby]

Hi check out German Auto Tops. They have brand new door boards, and they also have the door skins.

They also have a great salesman.

 

[dugald]

They also have a great salesman.

Cardinal rule of salesmanship: never knock your competitor's product.
Damn it with faint praise.

 

[lfedje]

MercedesInterior, I couldn't find the door panels there, but in any case these cost me nothing, and you can't beat that price.

ttnguyen23, I used 1/8" pressed board. Common at all lumber centers. I had a sheet at home, so that kind of made it easy form me.

Loren

 

[miked56]

... and you can't beat that price...
Loren

Yes you can. You could make sets for the rest of us and ship them to us as a gift to all BW107ers

Great job by the way.:bowdown:

 

[roncallo]

One thing you don't want to forget. See the right door in the attached photo. It has a plastic membrain that is glued in place. This protects the door panel from moisture damage. This part is one of the first things removed and discarded by most technicians who feel the the manufactures have nothing better to do that add useless parts for no reason.

This part is real cheap even from MB. If you need one right away because its holding up your job, I would recommend you at least cut one out of a garbage bag.

 

[lfedje]

Mike, Too funny! :big laugh:

John, good point, and very important. When the panel was removed there was a plastic barrier, but I think that at some point in the cars life there was probably a period of time that it was off, and that's why the deterioration.

LOren

 

[ussun]

I hope I don't, but I probly will have to do this stuff when I do my doors (Lambo). Cuz I'll be seeing the underside a lot and I can allready see some wear and tear.

 

[ttnguyen23]

MercedesInterior, I couldn't find the door panels there, but in any case these cost me nothing, and you can't beat that price.

ttnguyen23, I used 1/8" pressed board. Common at all lumber centers. I had a sheet at home, so that kind of made it easy form me.

Loren

That what I guess the material you use. Did you notice between panel and the door frame have some space for new speakers????

Like some one said in the forum. It is important to retain the weather insulation between the panel and the door frame.

If you have a chance send us a picture what is inside the door frame without the panel. Thanks

May be a time to clean up the dust on the door chanel and lube the window motor. D'ont you think a good idea?

 

[roncallo]

Door Interior Pictures. Last picture is my temporary assist spring repair. I say temporary but all four of my doors on my 2 560SL's have these. One car has them for 2 years the red car has them for the last year. They seem to be holding up better than the factory original stked in pot metal.

 

[lfedje]

ttnguyen23, the pictures that rancallo provided are very similar to what the 73 looks like, although they are of a 560. It would appear that there would be no room there for speakers.

oren

 

[ScottinSoCal]

Last picture is my temporary assist spring repair.

Yeah, and the third picture is my flashlight that I couldn't find this morning. I expect that to be returned to my garage when you're done with it.

 

[roncallo]

Yeah, and the third picture is my flashlight that I couldn't find this morning. I expect that to be returned to my garage when you're done with it.

Can I keep the Snap On deep sockets.

 

[ScottinSoCal]

Can I keep the Snap On deep sockets.

I don't know where you got those, they're out of my price range. But just because the flashlight was cheap doesn't mean I don't want it back.