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attaching new door panels

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=56120
Printed Date: October 31, 2024 at 6:36 PM


Topic: attaching new door panels

Posted By: mi_what
Subject: attaching new door panels
Date Posted: May 20, 2005 at 3:43 PM

I viewed the pages from the alpine demo vehicle and came across them reconstructing the door panels. I see how they made it and everything the only thing that gets me is does anybody know how they attached the thing back to the door? I stared at it for hours wondering how...I know that they completely remade the door panel so they didn't use old one in ANY sort of way (not cutting out the middle and using the outer portion to secure it). I just can't figure out how they attached teh fiberglass mold that they built to the door. Please help...I am interested in doing something like this in the near future but this is the only step that kicks my ***.



Replies:

Posted By: xxbgfalcon07xx
Date Posted: May 20, 2005 at 10:42 PM
I watched a showe where Steve Brown was doing a BMW show car for SEMA and it appeared to me that they built and attached a MDF frame to the inside of the door consisting of vertical and horizantal supports. They then strecthed fleece over the MDF frame and fiberglassed it.




Posted By: crzycreations
Date Posted: May 22, 2005 at 11:28 PM

I was also thinking of doing something like this in the future. I thought about it and i don't think doing a permanent installation would be the best thing for an every day driver. Just in case your power windows stop working or you need to replace a window, etc.

My idea was to put hidden screws that could be accesed through the speaker hole, in the inside door handle area, and several other not so noticeable places. Pretty much the same places that you'd find them on the stock door panels, accept mabye a few more for strength. I want to put an 8" sub in each of the back doors, so I would need to reinforce that a bit more than normal doors.



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-Don't buy it, Build it-




Posted By: vinspo
Date Posted: May 23, 2005 at 2:17 AM

Most factory door panels are secured with disposable panel retainers. You can purchase new ones through the dealership and use them in your new panels as long as you put them in the correct locations. They can be laminated into the panel or done similar to factory technique, just integrate them into the design. Otherwise you can use screws, its not as clean looking this way unless covered with a trim panel.





Posted By: Master Asylum
Date Posted: May 23, 2005 at 8:39 AM

Which demo vehicle are you referring to specifically? The RSX has like an installation to go along with it...

Really though, the cars they do the high intensity happen to be the ones that also have like a clip at the window area holding them up and plastic pop pieces for the bottom that would make a REALLY well concealed hold, though a few well hidden(possibly color matched/covered) screws would be a great idea or you'll end up cracking/breaking the fiberglass after so many open/closes of the door.



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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm




Posted By: mi_what
Date Posted: May 23, 2005 at 9:35 AM
I was thinking about going with an MDF cut out, stretched fleece over my design, and resin. I'm not putting subs in the door...but good idea though, I am adding a set of components (without passive crossover) and two TVs in each door. I already fiberglassed over the stock door panels but I just don't like the way they look at all (even stock) I wanted to create my own design. I took a look at the SI door panel creations on page 16 of the demo vehicles. They made a FG replica of the metal door skin, filled it with foam (where do you purchase that BTW), and then sanded it down to their liking, FG over it, then built the bottom for the screws to go into...but didn't explain any further. I appreciate all of your help.




Posted By: Master Asylum
Date Posted: May 23, 2005 at 10:27 AM

Hmmm, well they built the bottom for regular purposes. They made a cover piece to hide the screws going in there. As to how the HELL they attached that, not sure yet. This FG is like an eyesore to look at(way to freaking detailed). And christ their photographer SUCKS... 1 clean shot of the door, entirely missed the bottom of the door panel. Looks just kinda like an "out" panel... Though I have some ideas you could do something similar.

Method: Hook and Loop Tape(VELCRO) You can use a few pieces of this behind panels and if you want a good clean surface(no sign) just sand back enough for the areas where it will be applied and make a lip on the edge about like 1/8" or something that will firmly push against the touching surface and then the pressure of the velcro holding will keep it firmly there until you wish it removed. :) A little more work for an entirely hidden fix.

Method: Lipping. Take the Civic design. Make a mold similar to that but have it come up and over and nicely lip and go down. Make sure you do panel to your liking. Finish the panel(paint MIGHT not work as well here.) and then apply rubberized undercoating($3~ for a can at Walmart) to the inside covered part that no one will see, just a light coat. This will make it fit fairly nicely and provide a strong hold to the lip.

This is all theoretical, I haven't gotten to toying with it yet, but I'd try the lipping first.



-------------
1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm




Posted By: mi_what
Date Posted: May 23, 2005 at 11:21 AM
Both good ideas...Velcro, HAH! sounds pretty ghetto LOL. but none the less sounds like it will work. I think I am just going to bolt it down to the door...although attaching the nuts to the back of the bolts INSIDE the door might present a problem...You're right though, that SI was WAY to detailed, and alot of it was have ass explained. What I need is sheet metal self taping screws...get about 1 inch screws, screw into all four corners (maybe some more) through the door panel, and either paint or fabric over them...do you think that'll work...sounds good in my head.




Posted By: 318ti
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 6:57 PM
hi guys,
  I JUST got done handling this same exact problem.  I made some new door panels (which i will post pictures of soon)  each one holds an 8" a 5.25" and a tweeter, and the way i attached them was pretty simple.  what i used were some fancy little nuts i found at Lowe's.  they are actually metal clips with a nut welded on one side.  they are very small but work very well.  i will post a pic of the clips also, (if u want to see them)  YES i had to use bolts, But the bolt heads can only be seen when the door is opened, not a bid deal to me.  My first idea i had was to drill into the metal door, and then tap that hole so i could thread the bolt into that hole, but that was not strong enough for my panels. (they are kind of heavy) but i honestly think that either of these ideas would work well for you.    Just something for u to think about.




Posted By: mi_what
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 7:49 PM
Hey 318ti thanks! I originally thought about drilling tiny holes in the fiberglass mold that I am going to make (of the door) then trying to thread the orignal plastic door clips into those and cliping them in to it's original place. But, I think i'm going to just bolt it into place using like four bolts on the corners...hey could you please post pics of those clips with the nuts on them, and tell me what their product name is so I can look for them at the store? Thanks




Posted By: 318ti
Date Posted: May 25, 2005 at 9:11 PM
well, all i can tell you is the name of the nuts i used, and since all of my money goes into my car i cant afford a camera, so the pictures will have to wait untill i can borrow one.  anyways  the name on the package is A "U extended Speed nut"    if you go to Lowes and find someone who looks half way knowledge able   im sure they may know what it is.  i paid a buck a piece, but well worth it if u ask me. 




Posted By: mi_what
Date Posted: May 26, 2005 at 7:09 AM
You can borrow mine...posted_image Thanks for the information. I might just have to go look at these. The hardest part is going to be finding someone that is half way knowledgable.




Posted By: 318ti
Date Posted: May 26, 2005 at 5:19 PM
haha  ya no kidding.   the biggest hint i can give is only help ful if you have any experience in live sound.  What i mean is there is a company named SKB and they make poratable rack-mount boxes.  the clips i used look a lot like the clips they use to mount amplifiers and such to their rack-mouint rails  posted_image





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