What to use for door panels?

[T42]

I need to make some door panels for my 51 Chevy. Anyone have any suggestions for making panels to put upholstery on for my doors. I thought of masonite, but I think it would be to stiff. I know they use a heavy cardboard like backing stock, but dont know where to find any. Wadda you guys use??

[Matt167]

www.nationalchevyassoc.com has original type backing panals pre cut and cut out ( for handles ), I think it's like $55 for a 2dr kit...

[35WINDOW]

Matt167 has a good source, but if you want to make some Custom Panels, I would start with this:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/var...ookie%5Ftest=1

You can heat it, and bend it, it will keep it's shape-then, if you want to make a pattern (or shape) in it, use this:

http://www.foambymail.com/Volara.html

I have purchased this Book by Ron Mangus-lots of info:

http://www.ronmangusinteriors.com/pr...products_id=28 init-

Hope this helps-

[Ken Thurm]

I use 18 gage steel, you can form them to any contours that the door might have and you don't have to worry if it gets wet.
Ken

[Big Tracks]

I made a set for a big ugly '70 Dodge 3/4 ton crew cab I owned.

I used tempered masonite. It can be had in thinner sheets than the 1/4 inch stuff you usually see and isn't stiff as a hoe handle like the quarter inch.

It worked fine.


Jim

[hotroddaddy]

If you want to go real cheap you can get a close measurement and go to the pull it yard and find some older panels in good shape and cut the to fit. Vans are good for finding the real thin interior plywood, plus in the nice convertion vans you get tons of interior fabric to reuse.

[T42]

I made a set for a big ugly '70 Dodge 3/4 ton crew cab I owned.

I used tempered masonite. It can be had in thinner sheets than the 1/4 inch stuff you usually see and isn't stiff as a hoe handle like the quarter inch.

It worked fine.


Jim

Thanks for the input guys. All great ideas! Where did you get your tempered masonite Big Tracks?

[Big Tracks]

Oh, man, T42 .......

I can't say exactly where I did get the stuff. All I can remember is that We lived in Amarillo at the time. Our son was born there and he'll turn 29 in a few days, so it has been a while!

My guess is that it was a locally owned building materials company which has since gone kaput. That doesn't do you a bit of good.

I do recall that what I used was 1/8 inch.

You might try googling "tempered masonite" or "tempered hardboard" or something of the sort.

I don't think it was very expensive because I was just a broke then as I am now.

Good luck! I hope you can sniff some out.


Jim

[brianrupnow]

Like the man said, use doorskins. (1/8" luan mahogany.) Give it a coat of Thompsons waterseal before covering. It holds staples well, takes glue well, is virtually waterproof. The only thing it doesn't work well on is curved surfaces.---Brian

[HWORRELL]

Our local Ace Hardware has the tempered masonite.Might check yours if theres one around there.

[jerry clayton]

RodDoors
Chico,Ca

WWW.roddoors.com
800-428-7114

[Flipper_1938]

Like the man said, use doorskins. (1/8" luan mahogany.) Give it a coat of Thompsons waterseal before covering. It holds staples well, takes glue well, is virtually waterproof. The only thing it doesn't work well on is curved surfaces.---Brian

Sorry to sidetrack this post, but what is the angled piece in the door opening?

[rspears]

Around here any of the home supply places (Lowes, Home Depot) and larger hardware stores have 1/8" tempered masonite. I tend to agree that 1/4" Luan ply will hold staples better, glue better (if applicable), etc, provided you can handle the double thickness on your application. With a closed car tempered masonite should serve well, as you will not have much if any exposure to moisture. For a roadster or convertible I would side with Ken (metal) or Brian (Luan + Thompsons) but would lean more to metal.

[hotroddaddy]

Around here any of the home supply places (Lowes, Home Depot) and larger hardware stores have 1/8" tempered masonite. I tend to agree that 1/4" Luan ply will hold staples better, glue better (if applicable), etc, provided you can handle the double thickness on your application. With a closed car tempered masonite should serve well, as you will not have much if any exposure to moisture. For a roadster or convertible I would side with Ken (metal) or Brian (Luan + Thompsons) but would lean more to metal.

That`s why i said look for junk custom vans cause they have the luan panels that are thinner than 1/4" that you cant findat the home stores.

[Flipper_1938]

That`s why i said look for junk custom vans cause they have the luan panels that are thinner than 1/4" that you cant findat the home stores.

Youren't looking in the right spot. Most big boxes carry the thinner stuff for skinning interior doors.