Severely warped door cards.

ubercrap · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:55 am Post subject: Severely warped door cards.

Anyone have luck straightening? I need some for my coupe- when I got it, entire interior was gutted except for dash and rear panels, which are black, so I guess I'll match them (though it came with some brown front seats). I actually can't remember what configuration my identical other coupe in storage has- brown seats and carpet, but door/side panels color???
Anyway, I dug these out from a car I parted, but they're really warped! I've read people have straightened this type of card (many older cars are similar) by wetting the backs and sandwiching between something flat and heavy. Obviously the map pockets can and would be taken off(I have sets of arm rests and doodads to trim out), how about the clips? I haven't studied them to see if they'll come out very easily, though, oddly, the car came with a whole stash of loose ones?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Ok, update: the clips come out pretty easily. I'm considering seeing if new backing panels can be made. I think the vinyl would come off.
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

Pepperbilly · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

I have exactly the same black cards. Mine are in wonderful shape. Water warps them and water will fix them. Do this in warm weather or a heated garage for starters. I use a steamer and gently rebend by hand. Also helps to sandwich the bent area between two flat surfaces while steaming even more. Be patient and gentle. You may have to do this several times. Works for me.
Bill

ubercrap · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 10:34 am Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

I realized I have an arrow straight set of these on some extra doors, but alas, some jackanape painted them white- the whole interior was done up like this on the car I parted. I may try to vinyl paint them back to black.
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

Pepperbilly · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

I have used vinyl paint in the past with really wonderful results on my ‘66 Squareback. I did use the same color though...black. Never attempted to change colors but you could give it a shot. Back then it was a product called MarHyde. Worked really well to make the seats look new. Still that way today and this was applied 45 years ago. Take a look...
Bill

ubercrap · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

Looks fantastic! I think that looking around on the net, many are swearing by SEM products (given meticulous prep, using their whole system), but not sure how that would work OVER already painted panels. Confused

BTW, did you really mean 45 years ago?
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

Pepperbilly · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

Yep. The seats were sprayed in 1975 when I was building this Squareback. Time flies... it’s hard to believe, really.
Bill

Pepperbilly · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2020 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

Hi ubercrap,
I am looking for one of those plastic/chrome strips on the front door map pocket. Mine lost it’s finish and you said you have extra door cards. Maybe you have an extra trim/strip?
Bill

ubercrap · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:13 am Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

I'll check- Private message me.
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

ubercrap · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2022 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

Forgot to update, I got one straightened and cleaned up- they can be saved! Will post pics soon.
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

whobba · Samba Member Joined: March 19, 2002 Posts: 871

Super easy to fix the warpage; use a wet sponge and moisten the hardboard over and over, enough that it gets saturated. Wait a bit, then place a 2x4 or other flat wood over the warpage area, place some weights on the wood, wait a day or two - then do it again if there's still warpage. Worked perfectly for my old door cards this summer!
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ubercrap · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

Mike Fisher · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2022 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

I laid my door cards on the lawn and pressed them flat with plywood & cinder blocks.
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ubercrap · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2022 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

Yes, one of mine is straightened now, I wetted and sandwiched and it's 97% better - good enough to use for now!
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

raygreenwood · Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2022 8:38 am Post subject: Re: Severely warped door cards.

Once you get them really straight, dry them repeatedly clamped flat at low temperature. Don't get them too hot.

Once they are as straight as you like them, spray them with a very light coat of urethane. Really several light coats, letting them dry completely.

This helps to seal them up so the warping does not happen again. Ray


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