cracked door panels ?

**OBX TA** · 05-25-2010, 03:45 AM

My '01 vert w/68K is just starting to show a hairline crack in the drivers side door. I am ever so careful about closing that door until I can get to the repairs. Pass door panel seems ok at this time. I do appreciate the detailed steps outlined earlier, thank you.

BTW: The car is parked in the garage thus usually doesn't experience the extreme temperature changes.

**INMY01TA** · 07-31-2010, 07:16 PM

Mine has no cracks on either side but a slight hump. I'll be removing those staples soon. The 1st write up here recommended using a nut and bolt instead while the 2nd write up just said remove the staples. Are the nuts and bolts necesary?

**PontiacFan** · 07-31-2010, 08:50 PM

If you just remove the staples, ..., How will it be held on?!?
Your answer to this question, will answer your question.
Unless you have some other manner of 'holding it together'.

**INMY01TA** · 07-31-2010, 10:00 PM

Beats me, I've never had the panel off to even look at it.

**NinjaVenom** · 08-03-2010, 08:05 PM

Not only do I have the cracks, but I have some fading of the grey colored plastic to a lighter grey (Just below the felt, about an inch or so tall and as wide as the entire door panel). Do they have some kind of GM plastic paint for the panels as well?

**99bluetransam** · 08-04-2010, 08:59 PM

This is a problem on all trans am's, including mine. Some camaros have cloth covering these spots.

**NinjaVenom** · 08-05-2010, 06:46 AM

This kind of stuff never happened on my 1995 Trans Am. Why did they change things for the worse?

**99bluetransam** · 08-05-2010, 07:07 AM

I just think it is wierd that almost all of the newer T/A's have them.

**NinjaVenom** · 08-05-2010, 09:10 AM

I just got off the phone with a Camaro and Trans Am specialist here in Florida. They run a junk yard just for these 2 cars only and sell new & used parts. In late 98, they changed the plastic formula and it is lighter (probably to save money) and all 98+ models have it. 97 models are the most sought after for their door panels. Releaving the stress from the back of the panels help, but it is the heating up and cooling down that gets em' eventually. I am curious to try the epoxy fix, but I still have fading and would like someone to suggest a dye and a process if they are familiar with it.

**NinjaVenom** · 08-05-2010, 07:13 PM

This looks like it should work for the door panels. Anyone have experience with this stuff?

http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/vht-vinyl-dye.html

**Blue2KTA** · 10-16-2010, 12:09 PM

Has anyone been able to find Devcon Plastic Welder locally ?
Walmart stopped selling it.

Thanks

**justinmc978** · 10-16-2010, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Blue2KTA

Has anyone been able to find Devcon Plastic Welder locally ?
Walmart stopped selling it.

Thanks

epoxy/gorrilla glue works just as well

**Blue2KTA** · 10-17-2010, 06:32 AM

Gorrilla glue is good for gluing 2 pieces together but i don't think it will work well in this situation. It also expands alot after it drys, may come through the crack.

**nichoLaS1** · 10-17-2010, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Blue2KTA

Has anyone been able to find Devcon Plastic Welder locally ?
Walmart stopped selling it.

Thanks

I got it at Autozone.. Did my driver door a couple weeks ago. Planning on doing the passenger door today. Took a little longer to set up than the label said, but it may have been the slightly colder weather. Worked good though, just make sure you sand the surface a little. I also recommend using drilling new holes in the weather strip and using wire/ twist ties as opposed to nuts and bolts.. The nuts and bolts kind of seems like a step backwards for me as this wont allow the panels to flex either

maybe I'm wrong though. just my .02

**Blue2KTA** · 10-17-2010, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by nichoLaS1

I got it at Autozone.. Did my driver door a couple weeks ago. Planning on doing the passenger door today. Took a little longer to set up than the label said, but it may have been the slightly colder weather. Worked good though, just make sure you sand the surface a little. I also recommend using drilling new holes in the weather strip and using wire/ twist ties as opposed to nuts and bolts.. The nuts and bolts kind of seems like a step backwards for me as this wont allow the panels to flex either

maybe I'm wrong though. just my .02

I'll go to Autozone today, hopefully they will have it. I have to do both doors. Thanks for the twist ties tip too !

**nichoLaS1** · 10-17-2010, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Blue2KTA

I'll go to Autozone today, hopefully they will have it. I have to do both doors. Thanks for the twist ties tip too !

I used thin (22 gage) wire but same idea..

btw removing the staples is by far the hardest part of the fix..

**nichoLaS1** · 10-17-2010, 03:27 PM

well I tired my hardest today to fix the passenger side panel that was completely cracked.. Actually came out a little better than I expected. I think with some dye/ vinyl repair kit, it could almost look perfect..

Before...

After...

**INMY01TA** · 10-17-2010, 05:18 PM

That does look better.

**speedyWS6** · 10-18-2010, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by nichoLaS1

The nuts and bolts kind of seems like a step backwards for me as this wont allow the panels to flex either

maybe I'm wrong though. just my .02

Mmmm.. Initially an idea that does not make sense...but i did this repair very successfully and i drilled and used 3mm nylock nuts where needed which means you can fasten them up until they just start to hold things adequately and then stop as the nylon will hold them securely and still allow the necessary "slight movement"

)

Trev...

)

**nichoLaS1** · 10-18-2010, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by speedyWS6

Mmmm.. Initially an idea that does not make sense...but i did this repair very successfully and i drilled and used 3mm nylock nuts where needed which means you can fasten them up until they just start to hold things adequately and then stop as the nylon will hold them securely and still allow the necessary "slight movement"

)

Trev...

)

Good idea.. Yeah I was just heistant to use the metal hardware that I some people (HP pontiac magazine etc.) used.. Glad it worked out for you though