recovering plastic panels with vinyl

[skierkaj]

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

[DSYenko]

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]

[skierkaj]

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]

[DSYenko]

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]

[Salvatore]

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]

[skierkaj]

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.

[Leigh]

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.

[72Heaven]

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!)