Re-gluing door panels?

[m3f_qslim]

I've never had good luck with anything that drys super hard (read: brittle). You want something that remains pliable since the door is constantly slammed shut.


My latest trick is premium exterior constrution adhesive from HD/Lowes. This shit bonds anything (I use it constantly for home projects), is ultra tough and remains pliable. That said, I don't think you'll ever get the two panels apart again without completely destroying them. Probably what we want, though.


You hit the nail on the head. I used Loctite PL construction adhesive. I reguled the panels on the M3 and another old car I have, haven't had a problem since. PL is nice too because it isn't stringy and tough to work with. It comes out of the tube like the consistence of thick oatmeal. Also very little VOC with PL, so your car won't reek for days of adhesive.


I also used it to put capstones on a retaining wall I built in the backyard, so there's that.

[m3f_tectonic_b6c14c3391]

Awesome, wasn't expecting so many responses. I stopped by Home Depot yesterday and bought a tube of Loctite polyurethane construction adhesive. $4 and some change. Probably the best deal out there with what you pay and how much you get. Plus I can use it around the home.

[m3f_John Fires_314302721f]

Did you pick this one (http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/pl_ca_prem/technical-data/Loctite-PL-Premium-Polyurethane-Construction-Adhesive.htm)? I like that choice.


The Technical Data Sheet on that page gives some helpful information. Per the TDS, you may want to lightly mist a little water on the adhesive.

[m3f_EricSMG_87c5092dff]

Bingo^^

[m3f_tectonic_b6c14c3391]

Yep, thats the one. Although I didn't use any water. Its holding well 20hrs after applying it. I'll let it cure for another day or two.

[m3f_BMWhat?]

3M VHB double-sided tape. It has been holding well, took very little prep (even over the PO's failed repairs), and was clean and easy to apply. Sticks like crazy and the foam layer provides a little give. Plus I had some laying around

[m3f_Z Driver_38bb5042f3]

Another vote for Gorilla Glue. I used it about 6 years ago and it has held up fine. I think I've even had the door panels off a couple times since then without any issues. I would test it out on something other than your car if you've never used it before. If I remember correctly, it expands as it hardens and you don't want it oozing out of seems.

[m3f_crqflier_f0b38c48a1]

What are people using successfully for delam vinyl in the arm rest/handle area?

[m3f_enderw88_23d4b6eb24]

What are people using successfully for delam vinyl in the arm rest/handle area?



Buying new cards as far as I can tell. I spent a lot of time thinking how to fix my drivers side but happened upon a decent condition driver side and bought it.

[m3f_Magic M3_88afc92f23]

The problem with repairing delaminating vinyl is that usually to do it right you need to remove the vinyl from the insert. To do that, the insert needs to be separated from the door card. At that point, I have found that the vinyl usually falls apart as it is removed from the insert. At this point, I completely recovered the insert with Alcantara. Like this....

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa418/pserrahn/A6DCE578-65A6-4843-ADD4-3711A33E1583-688-00000099465CAC0E_zpse04518ef.jpg (http://s1196.photobucket.com/user/pserrahn/media/A6DCE578-65A6-4843-ADD4-3711A33E1583-688-00000099465CAC0E_zpse04518ef.jpg.html)

I have then rebuilt the attaching hardware and used Gorilla Glue to reattach the broken plastic mounts on the back side of the door card. I used 3M Super 90 contact adhesive for attaching the Alcantara. And used something called E6000 I think for the inserts to the door cards.


Here is a shot of the front and rear cards

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa418/pserrahn/1EC7CD0A-314A-4E93-ACDC-FBB3CA7EDBD8-688-0000009957A0E444_zps1a688d66.jpg (http://s1196.photobucket.com/user/pserrahn/media/1EC7CD0A-314A-4E93-ACDC-FBB3CA7EDBD8-688-0000009957A0E444_zps1a688d66.jpg.html)

[m3f_crqflier_f0b38c48a1]

Nice work.


I've avoided dealing with it because I can imagine screwing up the door card and mounting tabs when taking it off to recover. I took it to a high end upholstery shop to have them recover with leather but they declined because the risk of screwing up the card.

[m3f_Magic M3_88afc92f23]

Same thing happened to me, I was turned down by the local auto upholstery shop. It pissed me off so much that I decided to do it myself.