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How To Rebuild Your Door Panels

Don't Cover It With Sheetmetal, Learn The Correct Way To Rebuild Your Door Panels.

By Jefferson Bryant, Photography by Jefferson Bryant

Once completed, the door panel reinstalls just like the original. We installed new push clips in place of the original rusted pins. OPG also offers replacement cups for the door, which are sometimes missing or broken. The entire operation including front and rear panels took about a day to complete. Our Judge is back to cruising the strip in style, and now, no more mildew scent!

Description Part Number Source Price
Door panels GP910BK OPG $119.95
Rear panels GP913BK OPG 63.95
Armrest bases front DP6230 OPG 46.95
Armrest bases rear CH24775 OPG 144.95
Armrest pads front ARP0008,9 OPG 42.95
Armrest pads rear ARP0025,6 OPG 39.95
Mounting clips CH25223 OPG 12.85
Windlace 68AWLBK OPG 28.30
Spray adhesive, pint   Local shop 10.00
  • Auto Upholstery Repair Grinding Off Staples
    The original window felts were stapled on; these needed to be removed to complete the installation. A die-grinder and cutoff wheel made quick work of the staples.
    Auto Upholstery Repair Grinding Off Staples
    The original window felts were stapled on; these needed to be removed to complete the inst
  • Auto Upholstery Repair Uniform Surface
    Again using the die-grinder, the original star-punch holes were ground off leaving a flat, uniform surface to mount the new panel. We also hit the metal with a Scotch-Brite Roloc pad on a die-grinder to clean up the surface rust and residual adhesive.
    Auto Upholstery Repair Uniform Surface
    Again using the die-grinder, the original star-punch holes were ground off leaving a flat,
  • Auto Upholstery Repair New Panel
    The new panel was laid up against the backing plate along the line we marked earlier. A couple of clamps held it in place while the backing board and metal support were drilled approximately every 6 inches.
    Auto Upholstery Repair New Panel
    The new panel was laid up against the backing plate along the line we marked earlier. A co
  • Auto Upholstery Repair Pop Rivet Gun
    Using a generic pop-rivet gun, the two pieces were joined together. This was much easier and more secure than trying to reuse the original punched holes.
    Auto Upholstery Repair Pop Rivet Gun
    Using a generic pop-rivet gun, the two pieces were joined together. This was much easier a
  • Auto Upholstery Repair Flattening Rivets
    The backside of the rivets needed to be knocked down so the panel would sit flush against the body. A 2x4 block and a hammer flattened them nicely.
    Auto Upholstery Repair Flattening Rivets
    The backside of the rivets needed to be knocked down so the panel would sit flush against
  • Auto Upholstery Repair Spray Adhesive
    While rattle-can spray glue is OK, much better results will be obtained by using high-quality spray adhesive and a cheap paint gun. The glue is available from most any upholstery shop. The glue was sprayed on the metal backing plate.
    Auto Upholstery Repair Spray Adhesive
    While rattle-can spray glue is OK, much better results will be obtained by using high-qual
By Jefferson Bryant
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