VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 31 4door Sedan inner door panels

Hi together,

I have to work at may door latches in the winter time.
That should not be so difficult.
But before I damege something I wnat to ask the experte about the inner panels.
How can I remove this. I can't see any fixation.
Are the panels nailed to the wooden door frame?
If it is like this I cant see them.


Thanks for your support.

Frank

Hi Frank,
Yes the panels are nailed on. If the panels are original then there is a metal trim on the edges that has nails welded to it. It needs to be carefully pried up but may not come off intact. Id the interior has been worked on then maybe just nails through the cardboard panel.

Thanks for the Information,

the pannels and seats were repaced some years ago before I bought the car.
It looks yery professional.

Frank,
The replacement panels are mostly just good stiff quality cardboard. The nailing that hold them in is "blind nailing". It is done from the front side. The nail heads are gently driven down until it is pressing against the wool mohair fabric. Then, using a large sharp sewing needle, the fabric is worked over the top of the nail head.

You should be able to pry the cardboard off. Use a very thin paring knife to slid behind the board along the edges until you locate a nail. Pry up the nail area with a small flat blade screwdriver.

I would advise you to cut the nails off flush on the back sides of the boards. You cannot re-use these nails as they will ruin the wool mohair.

Happy Motoring!

The panels are an automotive grade treated cardboard material. Lebarron Bonney used to sell but they are kaput. Not sure who else sells the material. Check with local upholstery shops to see if they know a supplier.

The material used for panels is not really cardboard but a material called chip board. There is water proof and standard material available but only the waterproof type should be used as even the slightest absorption of moisture in the standard material could allow it to swell or fasteners to pull through. Here is a place that has it offered I quickly found on the net. They even offer an embossed panel which is great for the lower cowl kick panels.

https://www.perfectfit.com/15347/Chipboard--Auto-Panel-Board-for-Upholstery.html