Need ideas for my inside door panels

[Alan's Classic]

I need some inspiration for my door panels. I've got 3 different styles to choose from. I'm thinking of not using the factory arm rest and create my own. I just need some ideas and pics.

[jonzcustomshop]

paint them white-or whatever your seat color is,grey?- then paint the stripe body color-orange.
the center I would cut out a piece of fiber board,1/8 inch? and then upolster it with the same material/pattern as the seat.
1959-64 impalas have a neat stylized armrest, that might be neat.
if you could incorperate the door handle from those same cars (maybe by relocating the mechanism, or using one out of the same car as thearm rest), that might look cool as well.
this style armrest with the door handle, is in lots of the 59-64 gm's buick , caddy , pont., chevy, and olds.
there are all different lengths, depending if it is earlier, later, 2, or 4 door.

[protrash64]

Shag carpet, or maybe some Troll hair............

[jchav62]

I painted mine white and had my buddy pinstriped them for me...

[jonzcustomshop]

^ that looks cheap & easy!
I have seen several different factory patterns... some with just the stripe painted white, some with the center painted white, and some with the stripe and center painted white.
\/ \/ might be cool to put a cloth insert on the lower panel as well, and maybe repeat the stripe pattern...

[Alan's Classic]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll look around work for some more ideas as well.

[willyp]

Originally Posted by jchav62

I painted mine white and had my buddy pinstriped them for me...

man those are bad ass!

[vin63]

Here are the door panels for my '63. I found a pair of door panels that weren't in such good shape (to eventually cover). I carved the arm rests from wood and attached them in just about the same spot as where the originals would mount - a little closer to the rear of the panel. Then I covered the door panels in foam and then eventually the same leather as my bench seat.

[SlimPikins]

Originally Posted by vin63

Here are the door panels for my '63. I found a pair of door panels that weren't in such good shape (to eventually cover). I carved the arm rests from wood and attached them in just about the same spot as where the originals would mount - a little closer to the rear of the panel. Then I covered the door panels in foam and then eventually the same leather as my bench seat.

Those are totally cool!
I wish I had that kind of talent!

[Big Fenders]

VIN63 That is nice work...
Bob

[aboz]

That's the nicest '63 door panels I've ever seen! What thickness of foam did you use and do you have your original pattern that I can get for the leather skin? My idea was to powder coat my panels in a black wrinkle finish along with my dash but you've got me thinking otherwise. Where can I see pics of the rest of your ride?

[SIR]

we just went for a simple look......

[vin63]

Originally Posted by SlimPikins

Those are totally cool!
I wish I had that kind of talent!

Originally Posted by Big Fenders

VIN63 That is nice work...
Bob

Originally Posted by aboz

That's the nicest '63 door panels I've ever seen! What thickness of foam did you use and do you have your original pattern that I can get for the leather skin? My idea was to powder coat my panels in a black wrinkle finish along with my dash but you've got me thinking otherwise. Where can I see pics of the rest of your ride?

Thanks...my experiment turned out a lot better than I had planned. Much thanks to my mom-in-law for stitching the curved patterns I drew for the center section. I just used some leftover higher density headliner foam (1/2-inch I think - it's been about 6 years now) that was given to me. All I really did was follow the contour of the original door panel since I like the shape. I was just lucky with the spray glue gun that weekend.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by vin63

Here are the door panels for my '63. I found a pair of door panels that weren't in such good shape (to eventually cover). I carved the arm rests from wood and attached them in just about the same spot as where the originals would mount - a little closer to the rear of the panel. Then I covered the door panels in foam and then eventually the same leather as my bench seat.

Awesome ideas here. Vin those look great. I had thought about something like that. I have alot of patience, but I think I would run out of patience doing something like that. I guess I could paint them for now and once I get the truck done and the seats covered I could try something like that. But then again I want to do subtle changes. I know the dash is a big change, but most people will think it is factory.

[4dranch]

Originally Posted by willyp

man those are bad ass!

x2,,Joe

[jchav62]

Originally Posted by 4dranch

x2,,Joe

Thanks guys! Here's a couple pics of the panels installed...

[jason65]

Now I'm gonna have to do something with mine to. Those look cool.

[Joey~AP]

I used 3M Adhesive spray and squeegeed fabric on mine.

[slepysal]

Originally Posted by jchav62

Thanks guys! Here's a couple pics of the panels installed...

SWEET !!!
Hey Vin how about a "how to"?

[vin63]

Originally Posted by slepysal

SWEET !!!
Hey Vin how about a "how to"?

I think a person has to know what they're doing to write a how-to.

Here's kind of what I did: It was a total experiment on my part to see if I could cover the door panel in the same leather (leftover) from my seat. I used 2x4 lumber and carved mirror images of the arm rest shape that I thought would be functional. I wittled out the recess for the pull insert. I bolted the arm rests to the panels and used some old sheets I was using a drop cloths to make my patterns. My mother-in-law stitched the a two-piece pattern for the arm rest bulge and then I trimmed the sheet for the overall pattern and marked the decorative stitch patterns. I then started to trim the foam around the existing shapes of the panel, leaving gaps to accentuate the center embossed pattern. Then I proceeded to get a buzz from the fumes of the spray adhesive.

[ElkyRacer]

SIR, looks good, more pix of the interior? Looks like you have a good looking combo going in there.

[slepysal]

Originally Posted by vin63

I think a person has to know what they're doing to write a how-to.

Here's kind of what I did: It was a total experiment on my part to see if I could cover the door panel in the same leather (leftover) from my seat. I used 2x4 lumber and carved mirror images of the arm rest shape that I thought would be functional. I wittled out the recess for the pull insert. I bolted the arm rests to the panels and used some old sheets I was using a drop cloths to make my patterns. My mother-in-law stitched the a two-piece pattern for the arm rest bulge and then I trimmed the sheet for the overall pattern and marked the decorative stitch patterns. I then started to trim the foam around the existing shapes of the panel, leaving gaps to accentuate the center embossed pattern. Then I proceeded to get a buzz from the fumes of the spray adhesive.

Well looks like I have another project !!

[dieselarmy13]

Originally Posted by jchav62

Thanks guys! Here's a couple pics of the panels installed...

Man-o-man, those are B A D !