reupholstering E30 door cards

[Airmanship]

(Sorry about the bad quality images) Just redone E30 door cards in black, Unlike modern day door cards which can be broken into several panels when it comes to reupholstering make it easier. Whereas E30 is a one solid panel making it more tricky to wrap correctly.

So, all OEM door cards have been heat molded into place (Using some kind of hydrophilic stamping machine) making it impossible to replicate exactly. So I usual try different sewing methods to imitate the OEM look for the door cards.

Personally nothing is worse then a miss match of door cards and car seats in the cabin.

I just though I'd share a quick before and after images (And a bit in between).

[url]
So this was the original with standard leatherette and cloth combined (fairly aged).

|https://thumbsnap.com/AWTkBejd[/url][url]
Sanding the door panel down - Last thing you ever want is the adhesive to fail.

|https://thumbsnap.com/333ywgSA[/url][url]
So here is the horizontal lines which are on the OEM on some cars.

|https://thumbsnap.com/6hRheyTE[/url][url]
Stitched down on Scrim foam (re-foaming is essential).

|https://thumbsnap.com/L4wh8Dpt[/url][url]
Door card panel cut out of auto grade synthetic leather.

|https://thumbsnap.com/A7ZdotnH[/url][url]
Outline stitching.

|https://thumbsnap.com/vdzWQnHj[/url][url]
Wrapped door pocket.

|https://thumbsnap.com/AMqFm78S[/url]
Door card completed in black.

I did the rear too, but didn't want to bore you guys with to many pictures.
Let me know your thoughts on it.

[uk66fastback]

Great effort. You should be offering this service to others (maybe you do ... ).

Pics are always good.

[droopsnoot]

Yes, looks very good. I need to do some door cards and rear quarter cards for my project car soon, and while they're not quite like this, they are similar, so this is a useful reference.

[Chris32345]

Looks good




Allthrough most modern door cards are usually one piece and not separate pannels with the exception of switch's and doors handles maybe

[uk66fastback]

I just finished recolouring the white interior of my 240Z. White interiors (the official name although it's ivory in reality) are a pain but very rare.

Came out okay.

[Penelope Stopit]

Amazing, seeing is believing, have fondled many of those E30 panels but none of them as good as yours

Off topic

Have you checked the front door loom plugs in the A posts? Water gets in and corrodes the pins