Plastic door panel repair
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Auto Body Forum
Forum Description: Discussion of anything related to body, paint and metal work/restoration
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=17388
Printed Date: 19-April-2024 at 1:59AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Plastic door panel repair
Posted By: Notmikeb
Subject: Plastic door panel repair
Date Posted: 25-August-2018 at 4:32PM
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I’ve got some somewhat nasty looking door panels on my 73 GTS. The tops of the panels are crumbling and have several holes already developing which is like to repair. I’m trying to think of ways to fill and smooth it out but I’m fairly sure Bondo won’t adhere well to the plastic. I believe it’s HDPE but someone please correct me if I’m mistaken. I was thinking about doing a fiberglass repair putty perhaps with a reinforcement fabric on the backside of the panel, then sand it smooth and paint. On that note, does anyone make a factory ford “blue” vinyl/plastic paint that matches the 73 interior blue? ------------- -1973 Gran Torino Sport 351C 2V -2013 F150 XLT Ecoboost -2014 Flex SEL |
Replies:
Posted By: lynchster
Date Posted: 25-August-2018 at 6:53PM
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They do make repair materials for all kinds of plastics. The trick is finding the right material to match what is being repaired. I know one test involves whether or not the plastic floats. Not an ideal test for a door panel. If they are that deteriorated you may wish to dye better replacements if you can find them. If not stop by a jobber (auto body supply store) with the car or panel in question and they should be able to advise you on the correct material. From there it can get a little pricey. The dual mix cartridges run about $50 but there is also an applicator gun involved and mixing tips. I'm cheap and I rarely use the mixing tips. They waste too much material for me. I usually squeeze it out on a box an mix it like filler. Another option to get away from using a gun is to self meter. I had to do this once when using a 3M cartridge but having an incompatible SEM gun. I wound up using an extension and a socket that fit into the cartridge. One side at a time and you're eyeballing the mix. That's all I got for you. ------------- Chuck 72 Gran Torino Sport 13 Taurus SHO "Mr Pig" |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 25-August-2018 at 6:58PM
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there's a topic on here somewhere about doing that can't remember who did it??? and something about using a heat gun to reflow the sun faded part but sounds like yours are beyond that? yes those are HDPE  FWIW the "A" pillar moldings,dash and consoles are ABS and the white dash cluster housings that crumble are PVC i believe ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 26-August-2018 at 12:52AM
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Sal wrote something up about fixing the door panels. Its over in the how-to section: http://forum.grantorinosport.org/sport-door-panel-restoration-refinish_topic17064.html" rel="nofollow - http://forum.grantorinosport.org/sport-door-panel-restoration-refinish_topic17064.html ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: Notmikeb
Date Posted: 26-August-2018 at 2:11AM
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I saw that post before. Mine are beyond sanding as I have actual holes that would need filling. I know fiberglass won’t bond to hdpe but I was thinking I could basically “skim coat” the surface with a layer of fiberglass and then have a layer of fiberglass underneath with the holes acting like rivets. Alternatively, I could use the top portion to make a mold and completely replace the top portion with fiberglass. Or I could just stop being cheap and try to find some good condition panels. ------------- -1973 Gran Torino Sport 351C 2V -2013 F150 XLT Ecoboost -2014 Flex SEL |
Posted By: MrSmog
Date Posted: 26-August-2018 at 2:31AM
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scott drake sells interior dyes that are a perfect match. I have used the med blue metallic dye with great results. |
Posted By: changinlatitudes
Date Posted: 26-August-2018 at 2:51AM
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Yeah, the heat gun trick that John mentioned works like a charm. If nothing else, I see the Sport panels come up for sale from time to time on fb. ------------- Matt 1969 Mercury Marauder 390 1972 Montego MX 2003 Mercury Marauder 300A 1994 F-150 5.8 2016 Ford Fusion Titanium |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 26-August-2018 at 7:24AM
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there are a set of black panels for sale on FB i think he may be a member here??? i think he has them on ebay as well... they are black with white inserts ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: Notmikeb
Date Posted: 26-August-2018 at 11:56PM
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Are the Ranchero GT panels the same as the GTS? They look similar in pics but I can’t tell for sure without having a set in hand. ------------- -1973 Gran Torino Sport 351C 2V -2013 F150 XLT Ecoboost -2014 Flex SEL |
Posted By: changinlatitudes
Date Posted: 27-August-2018 at 1:49AM
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Yep! Same thing. They'll fit Ranchero, Montego, Gran Torino...... ------------- Matt 1969 Mercury Marauder 390 1972 Montego MX 2003 Mercury Marauder 300A 1994 F-150 5.8 2016 Ford Fusion Titanium |
Posted By: gentrysgarage
Date Posted: 27-August-2018 at 4:58AM
This ought to be made a sticky...looking at the SEM line to get the right glue for console/dash and pillar repair! Thanks Johnny! |
californiajohnny wrote:Posted By: Notmikeb
Date Posted: 27-August-2018 at 11:23AM
Pics to show the holes I’m speaking of.  ------------- -1973 Gran Torino Sport 351C 2V -2013 F150 XLT Ecoboost -2014 Flex SEL |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 27-August-2018 at 1:39PM
 yeah that's pretty sun rotted!
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |