The Upholstery Forum

Hey all, quick question... How do you deal with door panels that have non removable inserts? I mean, do you cut everything out (foam and material) and try to come up with a suitable looking piece to replace it? Or, do you try to recover the insert where it sits on the panel? Pics are of the door panels in question...

Just a couple more angles

I have yet to do a door panel , dread it somewhat. cause i know i will struggle. I have watched Johns video on door panels. I will rewatch it several times before i tackle it. Hope yours turns out well . good luck

Do you mean the ones where the door is held together with melted plastic pins?

If so I usually just unmelt the pin and reshape it then separate the pieces. Then afterward put it back together and melt the pins back down.

What's your method for remelting the "rivets" so they can be removed and reinstalled?

I use a torch.
I reshape the pins the same way I remove scratches from the front side of the door panel.
You affect only the surface of the plastic. If you affect the plastic in depth it will lose structure and you will make a mess.

This does not work for thermoset plastic, it only works for thermoplastic plastic.

Unfortunately I do not have picture of the back of the door panel showing the pins being reshaped. Maybe the next time a dealer ask my to fix the arm rest on a door panel I will try to remember to take pictures if it does not use screws to secure the armrest.

Here is the current inseparable assembly that I am working on for a dealer. The only inseparable assemble that I have run into that is truly inseparable are on BMWs they take inseparable assemblies serious.

use this link
https://мебельная-фабрика-массив.рф/
https://мебельная-фабрика-массив.рф/

Plastic stud weld I was referring to:


After unwelding:


Next step would be to pull the edges of the studs up so they do not catch when reassembled. Then reassemble and melt the 2 pieces back together.

Reassembled: