71-76 Eldorado lower door panels

[Jeff Wilk]

Anybody with experience using the ABS molded replacement door panels on the early to mid '70s Eldorado?  I know the armrests are not padded and they only come black, but short of going to "Just  Dashes " for a true restoration for hundreds more what has everyone else done?

Thers always white duct tape.   

[76eldo]

Jeff,

I have a nice set of lowers from a 74.

Email me about them.

Brian

[TJ Hopland]

I just bought one from another member that he decided not to use it because he found a shop that could repair his existing one.  I have not really looked that close at it or tried to install it.  All I can say so far is I'm glad I didn't have to pay full price for it.   You just wonder why when someone apparently goes through a fair amount of effort to reproduce a part why they can't get a little closer to correct.  If your car is just a decent driver and your existing one is totally shot it looks like it would work.

If your car is not black I also wonder how well paint will hold up.   Seems like it would scratch fairly easily.  I even wonder about how it will hold up on the armrest from just normal 'arm resting'.   Thinking things like the metal seat belt end could scratch if it does not happen to hit the carpet area.     

[Thule]

i've bin thinking about purchasing the abs plastic ones from  opgi, but i always assumed that they would need to be upholstered.

[76eldo]

The repro ones are rigid ABS just like the bumper fillers and meant to be used as is after being painted to match your interior.

SEM interior spray paint holds up extremely well.
I have used it on vinyl and plastic with great results.

Brian

[TJ Hopland]

Ya it apparently comes as just a black hunk of plastic.   You have to paint it, add the carpet, and all the misc clips and other hardware.  That is where I bet it gets even more expensive for something that is not quite right.   

Mine is still in the box it came in and the car is still in storage, guessing that wont change for a couple more months.

[Thule]

somehow i cant imagine having the lower panels from plastic,  must look way cheaper than the upholstered originals

i guess i will try to fix the originals

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

somehow i cant imagine having the lower panels from plastic,  must look way cheaper than the upholstered originals

i guess i will try to fix the originals

Thule,
I assume you received the email & pics of the one I have?? This was awhile ago. I never got an answer from you. Please advise.
Thanks,Bob

[Jeff Moffo]

Is there any maintenance we could do to keep our originals from cracking?!

[joecaristo]

Don't rest your arm on them, and keep them out of the sun and extreme weather.
Joe

[Jeff Moffo]

That I know...but any conditioners, or creams, or protectants?!
Mine has a small...SMALL tear that I don't want to get worse....
Any suggestions for a small repair as such?

[76eldo]

Crazy glue it closed for starters.

Brian

[mgbeda]

The best thing for preserving survivor interior plastic is Lemon Pledge.  The furniture polish.  Apparently the oils in it actually soak into the plastic and replace some of the evaporated original oils (that's what makes the plastics shrink and crack).  I can't vouch for the chemical process, but I use it on my 40,000 mile LeSabre convertible and all the interior plastic still looks good.

-mB

[Jeff Moffo]

The tear is open a bit.  I am afraid to touch it too much.  I was hoping to put something behind it in order to glue it closed...but it is a delicate operation! A small tear looks a lot better than a large rip!
Pledge....?  That scares me.  I would think in today's market, a company who manufactures car care products would have something far superior than Pledge.

[Thule]

does anyone know about a picture of a door panel with the plastic lower end?