Fleetwood Door Panel project

[6Fleetwood6]

I have been working on my Fleetwood door panels, they were a mess!  Lucky for an amature like me they are in great shape structure wise with no cracking or delaminating. 

The panel removal was familiar having replaced a window motor in the spring.  The chrome/felt strip was left in place and masked off  because I chickened out trying to remove it hearing little cracking sounds. 

For stripping I used a product called 2 Minute Remover_Advanced, a thicker stripper that will not roll off the surface.  Like it says it was ready to go in 2 minutes!  Careful scraping with a plastic knife removed each layer fairly easy.  I took my time and applied 3 coats, each coat cleaned up with steel wool and tack cloth.

For stain I used, American Walnut, it seems to have some red tones and I am sure it will mellow.  Two coats of stain were applied and cleaned up with steel wool.

At this point I took about an hour to even out and blend the stain on the two panels, then I finished off with Teak oil applied liberally and allowed to dry.  Final buff with rag to a nice satin finish.

It amazes me the build quality of the beauties, the grain in these panels is beautiful!

This project needs patience.  I have to pause and thank Ralph M. for his great post on this process and the products he used.  I read the entire post then read it again! 
Thanks Ralph!

Thanks for looking👀
Paul
           

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Very, very nice. I really enjoy seeing work like this, mainly as it makes your car, more "yours." You can point to the repair and say proudly, "I did that!" I am curious about the vinyl on the door panels. Were they "that good" or have you redone those as well? In any case, they look beautiful. Again, a job you can be proud of.

[Clewisiii]

I don't know if it is just me.  But did you link those photos from some old website or forum.  On my end the pictures upload as slow as dialup from the 90s.

[6Fleetwood6]

I am curious about the vinyl on the door panels. Were they "that good" or have you redone those as well?

Barry, I am a lucky man to find this gem.  The door cards cleaned up with soap & water.  The driver side has a small 1/2" crack all others are fine.

[6Fleetwood6]

I don't know if it is just me.  But did you link those photos from some old website or forum.  On my end the pictures upload as slow as dialup from the 90s.

Sorry, my rookie mistake.  I inserted and uploaded each file, I hope Barry will forgive me 

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Nothing to forgive. At my age, I just observe what's going on and sometimes point out real problems. The shots were beautiful. Can you do us all a favor and get some shots of the car where we can see all of her?

[scotth3886]

Sorry, my rookie mistake.  I inserted and uploaded each file, I hope Barry will forgive me 

I also have a 66 Fleetwood.  In my case, triple black.  I've been thinking of doing this as a winter project.

Can you post Ralph's link?  I saw Ralph's car at Mecum Kissimmee in 2019.

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Scott,

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0119-359591/1966-cadillac-fleetwood-60-special-brougham/

Ralph

[scotth3886]

Scott,

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0119-359591/1966-cadillac-fleetwood-60-special-brougham/

Ralph

Thanks.  Yes, I was there.

Someone mentioned that you posted a step by step on what you did with the wood panels.  Those looked fantastic.  Do you still have that link.

Thanks.

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Scott,

I did a long time ago. I'll try to search the Board for it.

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Scott,

I recall the write up but can't find it  The beautiful work that Paul  did here with a matte finish is authentic to factory production. BTW Paul, please post pics of your car. The panels in my car are high gloss, filled pores,  and slightly more red  tone. I chose to do it this way because the gray wool broadcloth has a matte finish and the warmer red tone looked better with the light gray. When I get a little time I will write up the process and post it again for anyone interested.

Ralph

[scotth3886]

Scott,

I recall the write up but can't find it  The beautiful work that Paul  did here with a matte finish is authentic to factory production. BTW Paul, please post pics of your car. The panels in my car are high gloss, filled pores,  and slightly more red  tone. I chose to do it this way because the gray wool broadcloth has a matte finish and the warmer red tone looked better with the light gray. When I get a little time I will write up the process and post it again for anyone interested.

Ralph

Thanks Ralph. 

I saw yours firsthand at Mecum Kissimmee.  It looked fantastic.  Since mine is triple black, I thought it would also make mine pop more than it does now.  Mine is a little too dark for a black interior.  Pics taken close to sunset make it look closer to color I want.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/s3cee5xbLcBjBHYg8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yi8FRhq1sh5ho6Zm8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tkgbj814AY8mZDiz8

[6Fleetwood6]

Thank you all for your kind words it is a labor I love!

  Ralph your Fleetwood is/was the benchmark example of where I hope to bring "Betty".  It is only with the help of others that any of this is possible.

I will post a complete set of pictures today.
Thank You
Paul & Betty
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[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Gentlemen,
 
I posted a summary of the methods and materials I use to refinish interior wood items in the "Restoration Corner" topics.

[scotth3886]

Gentlemen,
 
I posted a summary of the methods and materials I use to refinish interior wood items in the "Restoration Corner" topics.

Thank you, Ralph.  It reads like maybe I should have a pro do this.  I'm looking for a look just like yours without screwing it up.