smooth, painted door panels

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 1:51 am

so, i want to smooth out the doors and paint them. i was wondering if just sanding them a bit, spraying some high build primer, sanding, and painting?

or would it be better to mix up a batch of FG resin, spread it, let it cure, then spread some more, toss some chopped mat on it, let it cure, sand/prime/paint?

i'm open to ideas. i just want to do something that will occupy my time, be fun and end up looking good.

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:25 pm

guess everyone had something to do last night...can anyone help me out?

excon · Post by **excon** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:03 pm

you're talking about the interior door handles? why do you want to paint those alone? I'm sure if you color matched them (and some other interior trim pieces) to your car it would look nicer.

Sand/scuff first.

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 1:57 pm

the whole door panel

SOKADAO954 · Post by **SOKADAO954** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:10 pm

pm cornhoolio or how ever u spell his nick, his the best in this section. im sure he will give u good info.

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:29 pm

cool thanks

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:20 pm

*pokes head in* Who's naked??!?!?

I am assuming this is the look you are going for?

There is more than one way to do this. But this is my way and imo the correct way.

I first started out by using my DA sander with 80 grit to get out as much of the factory texture as possible. Then DA with 120. Then with 220. then I put a coat of primer filler on. Sanded with 240. If there were still some shitty spots another 2 coats of primer and sand with my finishing DA with a soft pad with 320. Then I used a black sealer. Then color and clear.

Without the proper tools(da sander, the right paper, etc) doing it this way is next to impossible. You could glass it. Would make your panels ridged though.

Do not just keep putting more and more primer on and sanding it. That will just shrink with time and look like shit. We call that a good ol hack job.

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:23 pm

well that seems a lot easier than glassing. thanks bro

theTeejmiester · Post by **theTeejmiester** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:50 pm

yeah and it should be quite a bit tougher than the fiberglass if done right,by the way dan you panels loojk sick

<<<< oh and 1000 posts wooot!!!!

SOKADAO954 · Post by **SOKADAO954** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:09 pm

kornholio788 wrote:*pokes head in* Who's naked??!?!?

I am assuming this is the look you are going for?

There is more than one way to do this. But this is my way and imo the correct way.

I first started out by using my DA sander with 80 grit to get out as much of the factory texture as possible. Then DA with 120. Then with 220. then I put a coat of primer filler on. Sanded with 240. If there were still some shitty spots another 2 coats of primer and sand with my finishing DA with a soft pad with 320. Then I used a black sealer. Then color and clear.

Without the proper tools(da sander, the right paper, etc) doing it this way is next to impossible. You could glass it. Would make your panels ridged though.

Do not just keep putting more and more primer on and sanding it. That will just shrink with time and look like shit. We call that a good ol hack job.

^^ those are sick.

fearingdark:
told you he was the guy to talk to.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:41 pm

What happens when you want to roll down the windows?

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:44 pm

i would assume he would take the handles that would be re-installed and rotates them swiftly to achieve the desired results

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:45 pm

fearingdark wrote:i would assume he would take the handles that would be re-installed and rotates them swiftly to achieve the desired results

It's possible.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:12 pm

On topic in a sense.

how the hell do you remove the interior door trim for the front doors. I got a new exterior door handle that I want to put in.

The service manual isn't too specific on how to take it out. I took all 3 screws out then it tells me to release the locking tabs? So basically just pull it out? I feel like I need to pry it off in some places but of course I don't want to break these "tabs" Any advice? Thanks.

Themaggots · Post by **Themaggots** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:24 pm

Pull it out. I start with the place where the mirrors are, I think it is easier. But before pulling it out, take a flat head screwdriver and gently remove the plastic piece where the Electric Window switch is. Then disconnect it. Next have a pair of long nose plyers near, remove the actual panel and remove the lock and handle rod.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:29 pm

start at the mirror cover, pry it up and release that tab. work your way around and release all the plastic clips around the perimeter. pop the panel with the buttons on it out and unplug the switches. you will then need to take the two metal rods off the door handles. I used a flat head screwdriver to rotate the plastic retainer tab off the rod then either pull the rod up, or push down depending which rod it is and then the door panel is free. It's pretty easy. Just had mine off to do the suede inserts

EDIT: above post beat me to it

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:36 pm

sidepipe87 wrote:start at the mirror cover, pry it up and release that tab. work your way around and release all the plastic clips around the perimeter. pop the panel with the buttons on it out and unplug the switches. you will then need to take the two metal rods off the door handles. I used a flat head screwdriver to rotate the plastic retainer tab off the rod then either pull the rod up, or push down depending which rod it is and then the door panel is free. It's pretty easy. Just had mine off to do the suede inserts

EDIT: above post beat me to it

What the hell is the mirror cover? So basically just start prying around the perimeter of the door trim and these tabs will pop out?

But before pulling it out, take a flat head screwdriver and gently remove the plastic piece where the Electric Window switch is. Then disconnect it.

The bezel around the interior handle?

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:58 pm

when I say mirror cover I mean the triangular shape that covers the bolts for the side mirror at the front of the door panel. There is a clip under it and it's easiest to start there. The other guy said the same thing

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:16 pm

oh gotcha

Themaggots · Post by **Themaggots** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:43 pm

But before pulling it out, take a flat head screwdriver and gently remove the plastic piece where the Electric Window switch is. Then disconnect it.

The bezel around the interior handle?[/quote]

I find it easier to remove and replace the plugs that way.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:53 pm

Themaggots wrote:
But before pulling it out, take a flat head screwdriver and gently remove the plastic piece where the Electric Window switch is. Then disconnect it.
The bezel around the interior handle?

I find it easier to remove and replace the plugs that way.

Plugs?

Themaggots · Post by **Themaggots** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:14 pm

Connectors.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:49 am

Well its on the pass. side. So I probably only have one plug. I will mess with it tomorrow.

NEON PARABOLA · Post by **NEON PARABOLA** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:33 pm

omg thats sick! im drooling!

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 4:56 pm

Themaggots wrote:
But before pulling it out, take a flat head screwdriver and gently remove the plastic piece where the Electric Window switch is. Then disconnect it.
The bezel around the interior handle?

I find it easier to remove and replace the plugs that way.[/quote]
I think that was the plug that seemed impossible to unplug. I tried pressing as hard as I could on the tab while pressing down in the center section with a flat head. No luck. Put it all back together. But I believe it was a plug going to the door lock.

Didn't realize there was going to be another sheet of metal there and a clear plastic sheet thing too. Was an expierence but failed on changing out the door handle. Might ahve to tackle it some other time.