Ford Door Panels
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Milltown, NJ
ctide2,
I've replaced both of mine. When deciding I looked at the old panels and found the panel material had deteriated so badly that "fixing" them was not an option.
The replacement job itself is not dificult or time consuming, but while you have those panels off it would be wise to grease up the workings and fix whatever needs fixing.
The panels are NOT cheap. About $160.00 each! OUCH!! I'm STILL walking bowlegged!
It was worth the effort especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for a while.
Good luck.
I've replaced both of mine. When deciding I looked at the old panels and found the panel material had deteriated so badly that "fixing" them was not an option.
The replacement job itself is not dificult or time consuming, but while you have those panels off it would be wise to grease up the workings and fix whatever needs fixing.
The panels are NOT cheap. About $160.00 each! OUCH!! I'm STILL walking bowlegged!
It was worth the effort especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for a while.Good luck.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 733
Likes: 2
dash pads are the same way, expect to drop about a c-note for the new pad. check ebay, LMC truck, and BOTP. a little bit of fiberglass can fix it up if you're patient. i've seen some trucks with vinyl or nogahyde stretched over the old, it can look nice if you take your time. all depends, do you want OE, or do you want something different, how much time do you want to invest.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: cedar rapids Ia
painting panels
these are out of my 80 they where pink from fadeing and look beyond repair
but if you watch show unique whips overhauling they paint these panels all the time
1: clean them with soap (dish soap) and water use a small scrub brush
2: get somewax and grease remover (auto parts store) go over very well maybe 2 times
3: get some duplicolor adhesion promoter (auto part store) 2 thin coats
4: dupli color vinyl & fabric paint 2 or 3 thin coats
I just did the inside of my truck and it looks new again
for under 50.00 and becouse it paint you can be creative on my wifes truck
she likes angels and we used vinyl gray and painted most of the panel
then put vinyl letters on that said angle and painted red let dry for about 20min the peeled off the vinyl letters and it looked awesom, we have a lot of people ask us how long will it last i have done some as long as 3 years and I keep them armoralled and they still look new
the trick is to not cheat follow all the steps and it will look new again
if your panels are not so great go to the junk yard and find some that are in good shape but fadded then follow these steps for under 100.00
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
one thing to check out is SEM paint, i havent used it but alot of people says its alittle better than duplicolour
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: cedar rapids Ia
there are a lot of differnt brands and prices, duplicolor is easy to find and easy to use they are the largest vinyl paint retailer in us they come in every oem color and beyond for about 5.00 a can, PPg 17.00 and it dont cover as good.. I use alot of this and would never recomened anything I have'nt used myself
the door panel above was pink and gray it took about 45min to get this way it looks as good a new both panels where under 20.00 and will last for a long time
the door panel above was pink and gray it took about 45min to get this way it looks as good a new both panels where under 20.00 and will last for a long time
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Milltown, NJ
Since you asked, I did my dash top also. Yeah, they're just as expensive as the doors. But not as expensive as the "official" Ford part. Man, it's something to see what they get for a moulded plastic sheet.
It also is pretty easy. Just prep the old one by cleaning and "roughing up" the areas where the glue will be applied. I used a few "spring" clamps to hold the unit tight while the glue dried overnight.
The paint process is cool if you can get by with it but my parts were really deteriated (the dash center speaker area was nothing but a large hole) and painting them would have been a waste of money.
It also is pretty easy. Just prep the old one by cleaning and "roughing up" the areas where the glue will be applied. I used a few "spring" clamps to hold the unit tight while the glue dried overnight.
The paint process is cool if you can get by with it but my parts were really deteriated (the dash center speaker area was nothing but a large hole) and painting them would have been a waste of money.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: cedar rapids Ia
Hi when I changed mine I got a donor dash cap from a junk yard and painted it along with all the plastic peaces, on the flat part of the dash above the glove compartment I painted the maroon and put f150 stickers on, then gray took off stickers it looks great.. the problem with puting new as I see it, is I drive my truck for everything and to put 600 to 700 hundred in my interior I would try to be so carefull but life happens
like paint if you want a show truck spend the money to get it done right if your going to drive it, it will get dents and dings if its 4x4 scratches interior is the same way
everything depends on what you want and what your budget allows
like paint if you want a show truck spend the money to get it done right if your going to drive it, it will get dents and dings if its 4x4 scratches interior is the same way
everything depends on what you want and what your budget allows
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Originally Posted by seemanproservices
Hi when I changed mine I got a donor dash cap from a junk yard and painted it along with all the plastic peaces, on the flat part of the dash above the glove compartment I painted the maroon and put f150 stickers on, then gray took off stickers it looks great.. the problem with puting new as I see it, is I drive my truck for everything and to put 600 to 700 hundred in my interior I would try to be so carefull but life happens
like paint if you want a show truck spend the money to get it done right if your going to drive it, it will get dents and dings if its 4x4 scratches interior is the same way
everything depends on what you want and what your budget allows
like paint if you want a show truck spend the money to get it done right if your going to drive it, it will get dents and dings if its 4x4 scratches interior is the same way
everything depends on what you want and what your budget allows
I have to agree with seemanproservices statements. It really all depends on how GREAT you need your ride to look. Lots of YOUR TIME and some careful hand work will bring super rewards and near professional results. Just take a look at the "Paint your truck for $50" posts. Loads of time, but patients and focus are key. My plan is to get just enough color on the underside of the hood and firewall to render them opaque, then clear coat spray them. I will follow the recommendations for the remainder of the body, except between the cab and bed which I will render the same as under the hood.
It is possible to duplicate the speaker diamond cutout by drilling a gazillion holes into a patch substrate, then refinish the dash pad. I opted for the $100 CoverLay cap for both my 80's trucks because I felt my time was better spent working on other things. I did refinish my original door panels and plastic moldings inside the cab. I also did mine two tone of contrasting colors in one truck, contrasting shades in another. The results are amazing, while the sky is the limit for creativity during restoration. Just have a plan BEFORE you start. You can always change your mind during the process. If you have a plan to begin with, you will be able to modify any affected items.
Last edited by 82F1507.5; Feb 15, 2007 at 07:14 AM.
