I did it my way...

dougson
dougson Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I decided to make my own inside panels, rear right and left finished. Saved about $600. They aren't great but will do. ;)

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    dougson wrote:
    I decided to make my own inside panels, rear right and left finished. Saved about $600. They aren't great but will do. ;)
    A lot better than most shops and a lot less in money. Walt.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Must be a police car re-creation- no inside door handles on rear doors.:D



    They look good.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    Great job, now just think how much you will save when you do the seats !!! Richie.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Looks good. Lee
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    Mike (WA) wrote:
    Must be a police car re-creation- no inside door handles on rear doors.:D



    They look good.



    I think it's a coupe.





    Panels look great! Keep going and keep posting pictures. I'd like to see more of how you actually make the panels. How about showing us a "how to" of interior work?:)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Looks real nice to me !!!!
  • faustmb
    faustmb Senior Contributor
    Looks very good. I need to make a pair for my truck soon, any additonal pics and tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks for posting :)
  • Hudsonrules
    Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
    :)Looks great. I have been working on making new door panels for my '49. Super Sedan/ First attempt not good. Second time

    a big improvement/ Fit a tough paper on the door tape it in place, then with a razor knife trim the pattern of the door. Put the pattern on a sheet of hardboard, and using the knife again, begin cutting. Place the panel on the door and you will see how much you need to trim and where. do not use a saw, use a file and sand paper. I used Ford style plastic retainers to hold the finished panel on the door. Placed ready panel on door, drilled holes for the retaining clips, took off the panel, placed retainers in drilled holes, upholstered the panel and attached it to the door with a mallet/ Takes time, not proffessional but looks good, exspecially when on a tight budget/ Headliner and seat are more difficult, but we learn by hands on. I bought a " How to Upholster " book at borders. Have fun, Arnie in Nevada
  • coverton
    coverton Expert Adviser
    Arnie, Can't agree more !! I had to "go back to school" as my knowledge dated back to my High School days-50's. I am not ready to take on extra work, but have found that if you do it yourself then you see and know what you are getting

    My hats off to anybody willing to try and learn;)
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    Since some of you have asked I am posting some pictures of the process I used to build the panels. I've had no previous experience. The first pic is of an original panel that came with the car. The ash tray and arm rest were cleaned up and restored. Firts five pics here, next on next post.



    First I cut a cardboard form to get the general dimensions, then laid the cardboard over 1/8" ABS plastic board and cut. After fitting, I made a cut where the indent occurs and cut two pieces to glue in and complete the ident. I installed only five of the original clips in semicircular holes. The holes allowed adjustment. Anymore than five clips made alignment very difficult. Once trail fitted, and adjustment of the clips, I cut 1/8" foam strips to build a pad. Once padding was complete I covered the panel first with the grey-blue vinyl and then the dark blue. The covered indent wedge was attached using number 8 nylon screws and nuts. I was able to locate some decent trim strips and another ash tray and arm rest (thanks Lance!). After restoration and polishing they were installed. The strips can be a problem because fabric is crimped to the strip that is subsequently stapled to the backing (original cardboard) of the panel. I removed the deteriorated fabric and installed plastic 5/8" mounting pins (purchased at a hardware store) by lifting the crimp on each side a bit and inserting the pin head under the crimp. I recrimped to keep the pin stable. The strips were then pressed into predrilled holes and viola. ;)
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    Go to other post for description of panel build. These are the last pics. of the construction.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Pictures are worth a thousand word. Thanks for the before and after pictures and how you accomplished a good looking job. I love the color blue. What is the color called?
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Couple of quotes I've found helpful.



    "There are 3 kinds of people in the world.

    . Those who make things happen

    . Those who watch things happen

    . Those who wonder what happened"



    and



    "You never know what ya can do 'till ya try." Jim Cook
  • duncan
    duncan Expert Adviser
    Our nephew is doing the upolstery on our 54 Hornet Hollywood and he used clear plastic vapor barrier and lots of small strong magnets cut the plastic a bit larger than the panel that you are working on then place plastic in place and use lots of magnets. Aso he finished the back seat bottom and it turned out very nice . I sent swatches of the original brown cord cloth to SMS auto fabric in Portland Org. and had them reproduce the material. your panels look very nice as well. hudsonly duncan
  • duncan
    duncan Expert Adviser
    Sorry I forgot to finish after the plastic is in place use a felt marker and draw all nessecary holes and outline where you want to cut the panel .you can see through the plastic. cut plastic to proper size on felt mark then lay on material to be used for paneling and draw mark on paneling from plastic

    duncan:D
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