Well, I guess it had to happen at some point...


The sponge behind the "pleather" door inserts has rotted away and now the inserts are sagging and pulling away from the panel.








Now the million dollar question:


What did you guys do to fix? I understand just gluing the "pleather" back on won't work.


I'm up for any and all suggestions! (cost-effective, of course!!!!!)

 

There's definitely a good thread on this somewhere. Some people use a 3M spray adhesive on both sides (back of the leather and on the door panel). A search should turn up the thread.

 

There's definitely a comprehensive thread on this somewhere. The proper fix is to have the "foam" scraped off, and 3M adhesive sprayed on both sides. But...

I used the 3M emblem adhesive (without scraping the foam off), and I have no regrets. It's held just fine for 2 years now. Just don't go too thick with it, or you'll be able to tell where you laid it down.

 

The supposedly best method. I used this, seemed to do ok. Pain in the *butt*, though.

Take door panel off. Tape off all areas that are NOT going to be glued. This is important, for the glue that'll be used will *melt the panel* if you touch it.

Peel back the insert panel. Scrape off every last bit of the foam from both the insert and the door panel where the insert goes. You'll have to sacrifice that 'semi-plush' feel that the foam 'provided' for this. If any is left, the insert will again separate, and you'll have a lumpy look to it. So get it as smooth as possible.

Once the foam is gone and you're down to clean insert and panel, you get *contact cement*. And a rather large tub of it. And a roller to roll it on with. Thinking you'll get by with only 4 oz is silly. 8 or 12 or such is going to be needed to fully cover. Yes, there'll be extra left over, but best to not have gotten enough on there. Oh, and wear a mask. Stuff is *nasty* and will get you messed up. Do it outdoors, and in the shade.

Roll the contact cement on the door panel. Not the insert. Although, sure, you can put it on the insert too, it's just harder. Wait the appropriate time as prescribed on the can. Now *slowly* work that insert back onto the panel, being sure to take your time, and not have bubbles/wrinkles, yet also ensure the insert is in fact going to get back into the same place it belongs(, Loretta.)

You'll need a sacrificial bit of plastic, such as an old credit card, to roll the insert into the edge around the insert. You may or may not need to put some sort of adhesive on there special. The edge is the harder part. Ford smacks that panel down, and then uses a cutter in that edge to make it clean. Good luck with that doing it manually now.

It'll stick. Or should. Take your time. And if you screw it up? Well... yeah, just don't.

Hope that helps!

 

I have done one as mentioned above that worked great and one that did not. Both about a year ago. On my own car, I let an upholsterer do both of them....$75 total for both with a lifetime guarantee....less than half a day for him having the car. It has been a few months with no problems. Old body parts (mine) makes for having someone else do the job.

 

I'm with Pete. Do it yourself if you want, sure. But if the upholstery shop messes up, I can make them fix it.

I've done both doors now, so I should be good (knocking on wood.)

 

If'n you're in the mood for sniffin' some glue:

http://mustangforums.com/forum/2005-...gging-fix.html

 

THAT IS THE METHOD I USED AND IT TURNED OUT LIKE FACTORY, EASY CHEESEY.

 

Ow, my ears...

 

Hi Houtex!


It sounds like this will be a serious PITA. LOL...


I am confused about putting the cement on the panel and not the insert??!?


NO idea what you mean...

 

It's not a PITA. It's just... irritating. You have to tape everything you don't want cement on, or you will regret it. Use *decent* tape. Good masking tape, not that blue stuff or whatever. It has to stick. The blue and green don't like the plastic. Ask me how I know this...

As far as the one sided cement thing... I'm also confused. You should put the contact cement on the panel and the insert. I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking there..

Although I do remember it being unfun to get it on the panel. Maybe that's it.

Stuff gets everywhere. Wear gloves that the cement can't eat. And replace them often. You get any on 'em? Take 'em off, get new ones.

/kinda wish I had... There's a teensy spot on my panel, but I ain't sayin' where...

 

sorry, did not mean to yell.

 

That happened to mine and I used a 3m spray glued the can was like $10.00 bucks but worth it

 

It doesn't hold. That glue isn't very good in the heat. About a year, tops. Unless you *never* drive the car and leave it outside with the windows up, that is.