My '90 ZR-1 project update thread

[bdw18_123]

I also found another plastic mounting tab was broken off. This one looked to be a fairly important mounting tab, since it is the only thing within 5 inches or so of any other bolts holding the top, rear edge of the black armrest piece to the rest of the panel.




So I cut out another piece from the sheet aluminum, bent it to conform to the mounting area, drilled the holes, and re-mounted the broken off tab with small wood screws into the plastic.




Then, after all the cleaning and repairs were finished, I remounted the panel to the door.

[phrogs]

have you used Back to Black before??

[phrogs]

Originally Posted by phrogs

have you used Back to Black before??

Oh and if you ever need a heater core I have a used one but you checked yours if it does crap out on you let me know.

[bdw18_123]

Originally Posted by phrogs

have you used Back to Black before??

Before this project? Yes, I have used it on a lot of things before this. I love the stuff, it's amazing how nice it makes the plastic and vinyl look.

Originally Posted by phrogs

Oh and if you ever need a heater core I have a used one but you checked yours if it does crap out on you let me know.

Will do, thanks!

[tomtom72]

Now that is a restoration job very well done!


I may have to buy some of that Back to Black stuff just to try it out myself. I had no idea that it gave results as great as your stuff looks. I mostly never believe the performance claims of a lot of car care products....I guess I don't have faith!

That car is gonna be smookin'!

[bdw18_123]

Originally Posted by tomtom72

Now that is a restoration job very well done!


I may have to buy some of that Back to Black stuff just to try it out myself. I had no idea that it gave results as great as your stuff looks. I mostly never believe the performance claims of a lot of car care products....I guess I don't have faith!

That car is gonna be smookin'!=D>

Thanks for the kinds words, Tom! (and everyone else who has commented also!)

I don't usually ever believe performance claims either, because most times the product just doesn't do well what they say it is supposed to do. Back to Black does work really well, but if the plastic/vinyl is really badly brittle/oxidized/cracked/etc. it obviously won't fix that kind of stuff. But for plastic/vinyl that is decent condition but just flat/bland/dull looking, it will bring back that fresh, new look.

However, I have found that the "Mother's" brand line of car care products (that's who makes the Back to Black stuff) are very good and do well what they claim the product does. "Turtle Wax" is another good brand.

Sometimes you just have to try several different brands until you find something that works good.

[HIZNHRZ]

Originally Posted by bdw18_123

Man you do nice work!

[bdw18_123]

Passenger door panel is done.

It had a couple of issues that needed attention. One issue was that the edges of the vinyl part of the armrest were pulling away from the plastic (very common issue with C4 interiors).




So I pulled the edges of the vinyl back down, drilling pilot holes and installing small counter-sunk screws into the edge of the plastic. The edge of the plastic isn't very wide, so I had to be careful to keep the hole centered on the edge. I had to heat up some areas of the vinyl with a hairdryer to aid in pulling the edge back over the plastic.

Repairs like this won't win you any NCRS awards (), but they are perfect for a driver car that you don't want to buy a whole new panel for. And it does look lots better than it did.





The other issue was with the important mounting tab at the top, rear of the armrest (same area as the one I did on the driver's door). It too had broken off.

[bdw18_123]

So, I cut out another piece of sheet aluminum, bent it, smoothed the edges, drilled the holes and installed it with small screws.




Then I cleaned and detailed all the parts of the door panel (the one carpeted piece is not in this pic).




Door panel installed.

[tccrab]

Ben:

It's gonna look like a new car when you're done!

When can I bring over mine so you can give it the same treatment?


TomC
'Crabs