recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

I was thinking of redoing the plastic panels by covering them with some white vinyl. How do u guys think that would look? The panels don't like to hold paint, and I know that it's probably just an issue with the prep job before-hand, but I just don't like the plastic. How would you go about fastening the vinyl to the plastic? I know to use a super-duty adhesive, and use a heat gun to slightly heat the vinyl to form to the panel, but what kind of fasteners could I use from the back side, without them poking through the front? I know yearone sells the vinyl (i might be able to get it cheaper than their price), and I have some Super-Strength 3M adhesive, and a heat gun, just need a method of fastening the vinyl from the backside. Opinions?

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

If I were you, I would re-do the vinyl paint correctly. It is just a matter of good prep work. Surface must be cleaned very well. Armour All is hard to remove. Take your time because the vinyl will look better than a cover IMO. Sam

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

If you would like I could paint them for you but it will cost $630.00 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img] Rich.

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

Ha! you're a funny guy! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

Well, it's just that some of the panels are worn so much, they have become brittle, and are literally crumbling away. I hate how this looks, and want it to look really good, not all crumbly and scratched. The worst peices are the headliner trim, where it meets the A-pillar.

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

I am sure you can get another set in Hemmings Motor News or after market. Maybe a junk yard will have a set that you can re-dye. I am sure they are out there. I do like the way the original looks. I would try to replace or repair an original set. Sam

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

I'm not going to pay $150 a panel, and all the junkyards around my area don't have any cars that old, they crushed em already! I've made up my mind, and they're getting vinyl.

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

Make sure you pull everything tight! It will almost look original if you take your time. Sam

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

Only the best for my baby!

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

Skerkij...do you know a guy named Phil Chicarillo ?

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

The name doesn't ring a bell, maybe if I had some more info. . . .

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

If you really mean (only the best for my baby) forget the vinyl !!!Keep your eyes open as you get around and ask people you know if they have any idea where you can pick up those parts.The vinyl will never bend and fold nice on the ends and it will look way out of place when put next to the other plastic.Used plastic for those cars should be .05 and a .10 just my .02 worth!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

I've already seen this done to numerous cars, and if you do it correctly with a heat gun, you can get it to bend in any direction you want. I've already made up my mind, and I don't think you can change it. Regardless of what most people say, I'm probably not going to find any panels for my car that are in good condition for a cheap price. It's really pathetic how companies can charge so much for the parts, just because they carry the GM logo. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img]

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

What im trying to say is if you bend it over the edge, the part will not sit flush (level) with the next part.And you can't just hack it off at the end of the plastic you are covering because we all know what that looks like.
My experience is that I was never happy with the cheap and easy way out of anything,, keep looking for plastic.Go over to the camaro site and list a want add for the parts you want and you'll be suprised.But hey if you want vinyl,, vinyl it is!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

Yenko Man is right Kid! Just take your time and find some good replacements. They are out there. Don't do a hurry up job. Have patience my son! Sam [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

I don't really plan on doing this anytime soon, but when I do end up doing something to the car, I'll be sure to post the end results here. As for the not sitting flush part, you're never going to see the edges, as one panel covers the other, and all of the edges will be bent over to the backside of the panel. The number of complex edges where issues would occur are very minimal. Either way I go, I'll be sure to take my time and do it right. If I find some good quality panels, I'll go with panels. If not, It'll be vinyl.

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

Hello,
If you have a dashboard refurbishing company handy to your location, you might see if they can apply the vinyl to your part the same way they re-skin dash pads....heated vinyl drawn over the part by vacuum. It would mold instantly to the exact shape of your part. I'm going to see if my local guy can do a couple of Trans Am seat back panels that are a touch "second hand" so wouldn't look the best even if re-dyed.

Re: recovering plastic panels with vinyl
 

I'm going to assume this is for your 1976(?) Camaro right? I'm a huge 2nd gen freak.... These panels aren't hard to find esp the '75-81 ones ('70-74 upper sails are getting difficult). Donor cars include all Camaros built '75-81 and all Firebirds (& T/As) '75-81 also (that's ALOT of cars!). I've never seen any that were recovered successfully with vinyl. You can clean them with laquer thinner and use a quality (check your local paint suppiler rather than Wal-Mart) vinyl dye. You can have it tinted to any color you'd like...

The problem with covering them with vinyl is that unless you use a VERY thin vinyl they tend to sit too far forward (the extra material pulls the assembly forward (this can be fixed by trimming the "lip" at the front of the door but do you really want to butcher the car for the panels?). Also the upper sail sits inside the lower panel (two or three plastic clips) unless you cover them as a unit there'll be a bulge. (and again there is the leading edge problem).... Anyway, my point is unless someone is really familar with your car and what it takes to make it right, it won't look "right" And getting it right will cost more than getting some good used panels. Check out www.nastyz28.com in the swapmeet there's always someone parting something...and of course E-bay is out there... but I'd hardly ever pay more than $40-$50 for both sides! ($150 is highway robbery unless it's NOS!)