Interior panel restoration

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Apr 27, 2013 | 09:29 PM

beetle

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: sunny san diego

Interior panel restoration

After 28 years my plastic trim panels that cover the seat belt mechanisms were shot, they had holes rotted through and the color was faded. I removed them and repaired the holes from the inside using fiberglass matting and resin, this gives a strong and durable repair. I used bondo on the outside to fill the imperfections and spent many hours of sanding and priming. I had a pint of matching paint custom made and used my small detail gun. About $70 total for both panels, glad it's done, that was hard work.

Apr 27, 2013 | 09:35 PM

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

That looks good, beetle, congrats on a job well done!

I spent all of last summer doing stuff like that to my brother's Taurus.

Apr 28, 2013 | 12:23 AM

tempest411

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What did you use to allow the fiberglass resin and Bondo to stick to the plastic? Normally that stuff just cracks right off the minute the panel is flexed at all.

Apr 28, 2013 | 07:54 AM

beetle

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From: sunny san diego

Quote:

Originally Posted by tempest411

What did you use to allow the fiberglass resin and Bondo to stick to the plastic? Normally that stuff just cracks right off the minute the panel is flexed at all.

The fiberglass mat and resin is so strong that the repaired area cannot flex. I don't anticipate any problems.