The Upholstery Forum

I am looking for ideas to clean up or update the look of some Cessna door panels. For those who have had experience with SEM Color Coat; is it durable enough to be used on a interior door panel?
The current color is white and I plan to change to tan.


I also have the interior panels to do.

Follow instructions, and it works great. Used it on motorcycle seats and car seats with now problems. I repeat, follow instructions.

Thanks, I sent to SEM asking a few questions about repairs to thin plastic panels. The more I look at these panels I am trying to visualize putting a sidewall fabric or carpet on the lower part where the rectangles are, this area gets kicked and scuffed up when people climb in and out. I could fabricate aluminum trim pieces to tie it in visually.

I would put the carpet on the door panels. No matter what that paint will scratch and look like hell over time and it wont take long.

Just make sure what ever you use is approved for use in planes.

I looked into this field a little and was unaware of this requirement prior.

BigRig wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 2:23 pm I would put the carpet on the door panels. No matter what that paint will scratch and look like hell over time and it wont take long.

I have a lightweight carpet sample from Douglas that I think will work perfect for that.

WILD BILL wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 2:30 pm Just make sure what ever you use is approved for use in planes.

I looked into this field a little and was unaware of this requirement prior.

The regulations are confusing. The main terms are "self-extinguishing", "flash resistant" and "flame-resistant". It depends on what Federal reg the aircraft was certified under and how the aircraft is used. Under CAR 3 certification (older aircraft) the materials can't support the spread of flame (fire resistant). Most materials used in modern automotive use meet this requirement. I looked at the testing procedures under FAR 25 and FMVSS 302 and there didn't seem to be much difference.
The regs are poorly written and things get worse when you want to cover the interior of a firewall or near it.
I am an aircraft mechanic and deal with the regs daily, but the interior materials requirements are a headache to sort out. Most people just give up and go with FAR 25 materials.
I recently discovered that there are a few types of KYDEX that are FAR 25 compliant so I am going to try to incorporate them into my own plane.