Re-upholstering inner door panel (pics)

[rockymt21]

So I did the first door this morning, I probably should have started with a rear door but it's cool, I can always re-do it after. Im not going to lie, it was pretty much a nightmare the whole time. Getting the door panel off was fine, but then I realized the part that i wanted to re-upholster does not come off on its own, that pretty much ruined my entire plan and I had to think of an alternative procedure. I was under the impression that the carpeted piece comes off, in which case all I would do is cut out a piece of fabric, stretch it tight and staple it on the back side. But to my surprise, that piece did not come off. I contemplated bagging the whole idea, but decided to keep going with it. When I start to take the factory fabric off, the foam underneath began to rip, and once the fabric was all off, I had only about 50% of the foam on the door and 50% foam on the fabric. Instead of using a staple gun to do this now I went and bought some spray adhesive, Im not sure how well this will hold up, but time will tell. I just basically laid the 2 pieces out, sprayed and bonded using a rolling pin. Then once dried I sprayed the door and the finished product and bonded those 2 together. I stuff all of the excess into the seam with a tire iron from a bicycle. It seems to be holding up somewhat, but I will probably fix it in the future.

Cliffs:
re-upholstered 1st door
wasn't as expected
got it done
unsatisfied haha

I used black suede from wal-mart.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9015/0105091158ua7.jpg

Corner that I cut too short and doesn't seem to want to tuck in:

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9793/0105091158avh6.jpg

Anyone have any idea's or tips to make the rest of the doors easier?

[m3xicano4ever]

theres a better how to on gmfullsize.com

[rockymt21]

theres a better how to on gmfullsize.com

link please?

[jimmy_dong]

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141110

[rockymt21]

Hahaha

Man I wish I had seen that before doing this first one! Looks much easier! Well I guess I am going to finish it up tomorrow, hopefully with better luck!

[BOWTY]

The piece you are covering will come off the rest of the door panel. I have had mine off more than once and had it covered in tweed and now vinyl. After you remove the plasctic around the door handle if you pull on it, it will pop off the panel. There are some plastic nipples on the back of it that will probably come loose and have to be glued back on but it will make the job a lot easier. Don't use staples either. teh piece is too thin and the stapel will go through it. I used automotive 3M Spray adhesive and it worked great.

[kev2809]

hey, you live and you learn. that gmfullsize one is a nice write up, i even bookmarked it. :)