Just another Garage fabbed Door Panel thread ........

[protour73]

Sometimes you just need to push the fear of trying something new aside. So I dove into auto upholstery, head first. I figured if I screw something up, I'll just do it over. I kept my design simple, so the actual application would not be so difficult. Knowing my amateur status could only take me so far, I had a local auto upholstery shop (Riggs Brothers in Naperville, IL) do the armrests, they were able to incorporate the 2 major choices of material that I used and ran a stitch down the side of the armrest for a nice finished look.



I had gotten tired of the look of the stock '73 door panels in the car and they just didn't fit the overall protouring feeling that the rest of car was exhibiting. The upper door panels were covered with a product from 3M called Di-NOC. It has a faux Carbon Fiber look to it. It's not just a printed design, the surface actually has a texture to it. It works well with the faux black Carbon Fiber marine grade vinyl I used on the perimeter of the panel, the large insert is a black faux leather with a really nice texture to it. The small insert is the identical material as the black around the perimeter but in a yellow closely matching the cars paint.

The window cranks are billet aluminum by Lokar, anodized black from their "Midnight" series. I still have to install the interior door handles, but I am waiting for the escutcheon to come back from my friend Tom ( feathercarbon.com ) who is doing them in real Carbon Fiber.

The overall fit and finish turned out pretty well, not perfect.....but hey, it's my first time. I will post up a complete build thread, as I took pictures through the whole fabrication process.

[carbuff]

Very nice!

[DarkoNova]

Those look wicked!

[garys 68]

Sweet, love the look.

[HotRod47]

congrats on a job well done! That looks really nice.

[Trevon]

...I need door panels :D

[mplecha]

very nice work!!!

[newmexicosaint]

VERY NICE!! How was the 3M vinyl to work with? Either you are a baddass at laying vinyl or it is pretty easy to use!! Working a bit with vinyl myself I will have to go with door number one, you are a baddass. What did you do for a panel base? Masonite? Sure would like you to share some details with us or build me a set for my Camaro!! Do you have any pics of the process? Tools used? Don't hold out brother.

BTW if/when you decide to do your rear panels (and I bet you do) Please post on that too, man.

LONG LIVE THE 2nd Gens!!

[protour73]

Thanks for all of the nice words on the panels everyone!!

Gene, The 3M vinyl definitely takes some practice!! As far as a badass laying vinyl? I just took my time.....LOTS of time. This project took a good month of weekends. The panel base is 1/8" ABS plastic. I do have about 80 pics of the build process and will create a build thread and post it this week...I promise.

and YES, I am going to cover ALL of the remaining plastic panels on the car at the end of this season.

[newmexicosaint]

Thanks Scott!! :Your post has me pumped to do mine. I am kind of a planner. Have to see the route before I jump in. Your build thread would go a long way for me, thanks man.

[72camarors]

Looks Awsome!!!

[dropit69]

um yeah those are sick !!!!! but would look better on my car,,lol

[John Wright]

So.....that's where you've been. Cool stuff Scottie. Are you ready for a couple more 70 camaro door panels?

[Vicinity]

Those panels are SICK.

I might have to wrap my panels with a little CF and see how they turn out.

[Yelcamino]

I'm impressed! Very nice work!

[vidguy]

Wow.. I think those look absolutely outstanding. I would use them for sure! You must of had fun. Please do post pictures and sources for materials.

[nvmyss]

Looks good!
Yours turned out better than my CF vinyl I used on the 67 upper pannels. I had glue seperation issues.

[fordsbyjay]

To be honest that looks a lot better then some of the "pro" jobs I have seen. Nice work!

[78formula]

Those door panels looks absolutely awesome!

[kustom71]

That looks great!!