Help with unassembled rear door panels

dsolomon · December 5th, 2011, 07:31 PM

I am attempting to cover the rear panels for my 71 convertible Cutlass Supreme. I purchased the unassembled panels from PUI. I disassembled the originals leaving the back board and the fiberglass top that hangs the panel. I have laid the vinyl in place aligning the sides and bottom tacking it in place with adhesive. I am having trouble stretching the vinyl where it curves up above the rear seat. There are a few wrinkles where the two surfaces transition. Any tricks to tighten this up?

Allan R · December 5th, 2011, 07:44 PM

Use steam/heat to stretch it out, just like with a headliner.

70Post · December 5th, 2011, 09:01 PM

The vinyl needs to be pulled back...ie--the vinyl needs to move towards the back of the car. Try tugging a bit on the end of the vinyl on the panel and see if the wrinkles get smaller. Try this before resorting to a heat gun. Best to try and pull as many wrinkles tight first and then glue things in place.

Allan R · December 6th, 2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70Post

........ Try this before resorting to a heat gun. Best to try and pull as many wrinkles tight first and then glue things in place.

I was thinking more along the lines of a hair dryer Patton.

dsolomon · December 6th, 2011, 01:37 PM

Thanks guys. I will give some heat a try

Lady72nRob71 · December 6th, 2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan R

I was thinking more along the lines of a hair dryer Patton.

Amen... I have accidentally burned holes in too much stuff with heat guns...

dsolomon · January 1st, 2012, 05:22 PM

Thank you both. The hair dryer worked great. It softened the vinyl enough for me to be able to strech out the wrinkles. Thanks!

Allan R · January 1st, 2012, 06:01 PM

Glad it worked out for you Dan. C'mon now. You know the drill....post pics showing us how good it turned out!

dsolomon · January 1st, 2012, 06:22 PM

Only have the one done. The other has some serious issues with the fiberglass top panel. Just posted a want add, hope to find another donor.
Here are pics of the one that is done. Still a little bit of wrinkling but I think a day in the sun will help that.

Allan R · January 1st, 2012, 06:38 PM

That looks really good! I'm sure that as the material ages a little, you will also see the shrinkage you're looking for. There's one other thing you could consider doing.
*place a folded dishtowel over the material when you're ready to stretch it
*'borrow' your wifes steam iron and use steam to heat through the cloth to the vinyl. It should soften it up quite a bit and make the stretching easier.

I see you've test fitted it. are you going to take out the 1/4 glass so you can install the outer window fuzzies, or is there a trick to doing that with the glass still in?

dsolomon · January 1st, 2012, 06:48 PM

Thanks! I am pulling out the glass. I set it in there, snugged the bolts and then remembered the outer fuzzy. If there is one thing I am good at, its doing things twice... Engine, cam, heads and transmission on my Chevelle and already had to set the engine and pull it back out on the Cutlass once because of header interfearance. I'm used to it...

Lady72nRob71 · January 1st, 2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan R

I see you've test fitted it. are you going to take out the 1/4 glass so you can install the outer window fuzzies, or is there a trick to doing that with the glass still in?

Just drop the lower limit stop and lower the window below the fuzzy.

Allan R · January 1st, 2012, 07:03 PM

Who was your supplier for the fuzzies? I got mine from OPG a number of years ago. They have the proper round bead like the OEMs.
When you took out your 1/4 glass did you replace the teflon rollers or was everything tight on the regulators? I'm putting in power windows and tinted glass. The kit I have is OEM completely refurbed and all the parts are tight. Just don't know how easy/hard it will be for me to get my fat fingers in where they need to be.

Lady72nRob71 · January 1st, 2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan R

Who was your supplier for the fuzzies?

brothers...

They were "Repops" brand.
Here is the only issue I had with them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalb...57602930020786

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan R

When you took out your 1/4 glass did you replace the teflon rollers or was everything tight on the regulators?

I did replace the center main one, as it was cracked.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalb...57602930020786
Other side ones were shimmed...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalb...7602930020786/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan R

The kit I have is OEM completely refurbed and all the parts are tight.

Is this OEM or repro stuff?

Allan R · January 1st, 2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady72nRob71

brothers...

Is this OEM or repro stuff?

Looked at that link, it didn't fit well at all did it? Another satisfied BAP customer? Did you call them and ask for a remedy? If you did I'd almost bet they blew you off.

My entire PW setup is a combination of NOS and refurbed OEM. Guaranteed to fit. The motors are all NOS, as are the switches and relay. The harnesses were built from an OEM template. Regulators were refurbed. I think I know why you're asking. When it's time to rip out my crank regs and install the PW setups I believe I'm going to have to take the doors off to drill the boot holes, right? I know you had troubles with the regulators on your aftermarket install. I'll do the PDLs at the same time. They are also OEM but I'll refurb them myself.

December 5th, 2011, 09:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
70Post Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: austin, Texas Posts: 1,118	The vinyl needs to be pulled back...ie--the vinyl needs to move towards the back of the car. Try tugging a bit on the end of the vinyl on the panel and see if the wrinkles get smaller. Try this before resorting to a heat gun. Best to try and pull as many wrinkles tight first and then glue things in place. __________________ Patton Glade 70Post Restorations Austin, TX GM A-Body Gas Tank Pads/Insulators---click on link http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...tion-item.html

December 6th, 2011, 01:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
dsolomon Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fallston, MD Posts: 180	Thanks guys. I will give some heat a try __________________ Thanks, Dan 1971 Cutlass Convertible 1970 Chevelle www.freewebs.com/chevelles1970 I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call center in Pakistan, and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck?

January 1st, 2012, 05:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
dsolomon Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fallston, MD Posts: 180	Thank you both. The hair dryer worked great. It softened the vinyl enough for me to be able to strech out the wrinkles. Thanks! __________________ Thanks, Dan 1971 Cutlass Convertible 1970 Chevelle www.freewebs.com/chevelles1970 I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call center in Pakistan, and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck?

January 1st, 2012, 06:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
dsolomon Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fallston, MD Posts: 180	Thanks! I am pulling out the glass. I set it in there, snugged the bolts and then remembered the outer fuzzy. If there is one thing I am good at, its doing things twice... Engine, cam, heads and transmission on my Chevelle and already had to set the engine and pull it back out on the Cutlass once because of header interfearance. I'm used to it... __________________ Thanks, Dan 1971 Cutlass Convertible 1970 Chevelle www.freewebs.com/chevelles1970 I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call center in Pakistan, and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck?

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December 5th, 2011, 07:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Allan R Just an Olds Guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh" Posts: 12,755	Use steam/heat to stretch it out, just like with a headliner.

January 1st, 2012, 06:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
Allan R Just an Olds Guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh" Posts: 12,755	Glad it worked out for you Dan. C'mon now. You know the drill....post pics showing us how good it turned out!

January 1st, 2012, 06:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
Allan R Just an Olds Guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh" Posts: 12,755	That looks really good! I'm sure that as the material ages a little, you will also see the shrinkage you're looking for. There's one other thing you could consider doing. place a folded dishtowel over the material when you're ready to stretch it 'borrow' your wifes steam iron and use steam to heat through the cloth to the vinyl. It should soften it up quite a bit and make the stretching easier. I see you've test fitted it. are you going to take out the 1/4 glass so you can install the outer window fuzzies, or is there a trick to doing that with the glass still in?

January 1st, 2012, 07:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Allan R Just an Olds Guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh" Posts: 12,755	Who was your supplier for the fuzzies? I got mine from OPG a number of years ago. They have the proper round bead like the OEMs. When you took out your 1/4 glass did you replace the teflon rollers or was everything tight on the regulators? I'm putting in power windows and tinted glass. The kit I have is OEM completely refurbed and all the parts are tight. Just don't know how easy/hard it will be for me to get my fat fingers in where they need to be.

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