Backing Board for inyterior door panels

[eddiecross]

Hi,
1967 FHC
Thinking of swapping door panel backing boards as the fit is not too great (they are replacement parts) Is the choice between 3mm MDF and hardboard? Mine needs the bend around the front of the door so not sure if MDF would be suitable.

Any thoughts or better solutions? Alternative is to buy Aldridge replacement door panels for £100. Is the fit spot on if I just buy my way out of trouble?

Regards
Eddie Cross

[kingzetts]

Eddie,
I made my own backing boards from thin marine plywood -3mm if I recall correctly, but it was the thInnest available I could find. More robust than hardboard, less rigid than MDF. I made a frame and used steam from a domestic kettle and some g-clamps to put the bend in the card (3.8OTC), with a line scored through the first layer of the ply to ensure the bend took in the right place. Then a thin coat of varnish for ultimate waterproofing.

[eddiecross]

Thanks John. Great answer- use something better!

Cheers
Eddie

[mgcjag]

Hi Eddie...just for interest when i made my door panels i cut 4mm off the bottom.....i was concerned that a lot of cars you look at have the cards cutting in to the cill cover......also 4mm staples are good to use and a hand operated stapler.....even with 3mm board the staples did not stick out through the vinyl becaus from the rear you staple vinyl/card..... Steve

[eddiecross]

Thanks Steve. Good idea on trimming the height when I do this and thanks for the advice on gun and staple size.

For some reason the newish door panels on the car (from the States) have a 2nd angle in the top front of door corner which means that they miss the lip of the chrome trim for the last 3"+ . Other than that they are a good fit!

Eddie

[64etype]

I had to reshape one of the cards for my '64 FHC and contacted the original supplier (from 1985) for a replacement. OSJI in Muncie Indiana made a replacement from my template at no charge. The new card was from a rubberized cardboard type material that should stand up to moisture very well over the long run. Black in color. Easy to trim (my template wasn't perfect). Much better than the original type of card material. FWIW.