FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi all,
Can anyone tell me if the board/card/leatherboard is still available for making new internal door panels. If not what is used by members these days. I am about to have a full leather retrim done in both our cars and the original door panels are rather distorted and I would like to have a good base for a good finish

regards
Weddo

I use 3mm MDF panels from Bunnings, 900x600 will do one door card.
A tip is to line up the top of the old trim with a straight edge and cut the others, if you cut the top edge there is a risk that it will be a little wavy with a jigsaw and more noticable being the top edge.

Restorers Paradise on the goldcoast list reproduction cards on ebay from time to time, contacting them through ebay wouldn't be hard as they list many other items as well.

                Cheers
                     Frank

Guys,
I don't like the original cardboard backing, or current glue based mdf board etc, because the moment they get wet or moist they alway buckle.
With my restoration I used a 2mm plastic sheet (don't have the name with me at the moment, but it was not a rock hard plastic).  I cut it with a solid stanley knife, and my upholster then glued on an upholstery foam backing (again not effected by water like old wadding) and after fitting the trim, he used a stapler on the back to hold everything.
Athough I fitted door backing water sealing trims as per the manual, in a heavy rain storm water got past it and dripped onto the floor.
Because of the plastic backing, door linings did not buckle.
Geoff_K

Like Geoff I was concerned about moisture, so I made mine out of Luan Ply wood sheet (very thin, about 3mm) & painted it with marine varnish.

It has lasted well, 20 years, although the car has seen rain, it is not a daily driver.

Gary

Im in the process of making some new ones myself Bill.

I will be using 2mm mdf and also doing a couple of layers of glass over top to add some support and also help with the moisture issues.

I had a look at the ones on EBay and i would save your money, what they wanted for postage will get you the materials locally and im pretty sure you should be able to find the right tools down there someone in that shed of yours ;D

I've just finished making a mould for the armrests but im not happy how this one turned out so will be doing another one to make sure its up to my standards.  I looked at a few different ways of making the armrests and figured this would be the easiest option for me and also the least time consuming.

Its also easier to punch out more when needed than making them from scratch if i was to use wood or other materials 8)

Look forward to seeing the new interior once its completed, hopefully give me a few more ideas as well.

Cheers Ben

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the advice. I have now sourced some 2.5mm marine ply that should do the job

regards
weddo

Guys,

I went to alot of trouble to cut and make boards.  The trimmer basically looked at them.. said he would throw them out and he got 4 new boards made up for $25 each.

There is a guy who goes around just doing this and they fit perfectly (however not weather proof as mentioned)

I can try track down the number, but it sounds like youve got it well thought anyhow.

Ben, Are you making FC armrests??  I cheated for FE rests and used Gemini ones.. similar size and the look is accpetable for a modified IMO. 

Cheers

Ed

 :)
Hi all,

 I got my door panels from John Dennis Motor Trimmers at $25 each. He advertises in Sideplate.

 Cheers Rusty

Yeah making FC armrests but not happy with the first effort so will be doing another one.

I had a look at a couple of different options and i figured for the small amount of time and effort i may as well keep it original rather than sticking an armrest out of another car.

Im still contemplating doing some airbrushing on the door skins but time will tell on that one ???