our DIY door panels

[nbpro]

Please be easy on us, for we have no experience in upholstery to amount to anything. The year or so I worked at an upholstery shop really didn't contribute to much, but here it goes. The total cost of these was $27.



2x4's = $0 (got from my brother's job)
Padding and batting = free (taken from the arms of a couch that was thrown away. Also recycled the leather to make fendor covers when workin on them. No pics of those, don't remember where I put them.)
Material 3 yards = $19 (had some left over to do the console)
Paint and supplies = $8

Now I know these don't look as well as some bought ones, but these are something my nephew can look at from years to come and remember that he and his dad and uncle made that. That it wasn't bought in a store. Every Saturday is set aside to work on the truck. We usually plan, if we have any plans, we adjust them so they don't interfere with that. So here's a picture of the door panels. Go easy. Sorry for rambling.

[CaliDude76]

Now that's what I call "Origi-NAAAAL" Right on!

[Stitch]

Looks pretty good to me and I do upholstery for a living. I like the design and the thought that went behind the design of the door panels. How exactly did you get 2x4s to stain like that. And also what exactly is the material you used and how is the panel attached to the door?

[nbpro]

There is no stain. It's duplicolor metalcast. Smoke for the skulls, then red over that. Then 3 coats of clear. The material was bought at Walmart. My brother had a couple of old metal yard sticks that we cut and screwed to the back to fit down where the old panels weather stripping and such fit. The long rod and chain is a piece of 2 inch pvc cut in half with the ends returned cut.

And two screws in the bottom to hold it in place. Fat Hoe, I really appreciate it. I consider you one of the more knowledgable on here.
Some of the darker spots on the material is just where it was raining outside when we were putting them on, like the top right corner.

[Stitch]

The spots on the material was why I was asking what kind of material but I see why they're there now. And I appreciate the comments on being knowledgeable. I just write good lol . Also don't take the stain question the wrong way, I'm on my iPhone and I couldn't see they were skulls. I do like the door panels alot. I can definitely tell that even though they might have not cost alot, they probably took a while to build. And you're right about your nephew being able to look back on them later on. I'm doing custom door panels on my diesel and I'll have a write up about how I did them with pictures so maybe that'll give you some ideas for the next set.

[nbpro]

kool i'll look and see

[BigBlocksRule]

Take the chains off, wrap 'em around a curve that you like and spot weld the links together, that'll keep 'em from rattling and banging around...

[nbpro]

We're probably going to do something a little different with that area anyways. They're not compltetely completed yet. Just wanted to get some opinions on how they look. But I don't think I could spot weld that chain. Maybe saulder it. The material is el cheapo.

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

Not too shabby. Have you thought of painting the door handle surround and window crank? I feel like the contrast takes away from the over all design. I would probably leave the handle chrome. Jay

[nbpro]

funny you say that i have them painted these are 1 of the old ones lol

[STOCKISH]

Originally Posted by nbpro

Fat Hoe, I really appreciate it. I consider you one of the more knowledgable on here.

Sorry, just kidding! CHuck is the man to ask when it comes to trimming. Just had to mess with him a bit!

[nbpro]

lol thats what its all about Laughter is day, and sobriety is night; a smile is the twilight that hovers gently between both, more bewitching than either.

Henry Ward Beecher