Side panels, what did you cover your's with? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71swb4x4 · 08-07-2005, 03:20 PM

I am going to recover my sidepanels. I have a nice set that has no upholstery. My thought is to use vinyl or carpet. What are you using? Pictures would be great.

bouncytruck · 08-07-2005, 04:26 PM

I don't have any side panels, but I'd think that the vinyl would be more practial - You can wipe it clean easier.

71RestoRod · 08-07-2005, 05:59 PM

I'm making a set right now... This week I picked up some 1/8" hardboard, some thin padding and a bunch of walrus grain black vinal. Of course, I bought all of the stuff before dragging the ratty, warped, moldy originals down from the rafters. Now that I have them out, I see that the original cardboard backing had a couple of tight bends in the top front corners. I'm thinking some of that thin indoor/outdoor carpet would have been much easier.

I still plan on going for the vinal covered hardboard, but I'm going to have to try and steam the bends into the hardboard or do some kind of relief cuts to make it fit right. It's either that or find something a little more flexable for the panel backings. I'll let you know how it works out.

MikeS · 08-07-2005, 08:57 PM

I got a piece of cheap 1/8" panelling, cut them, and took it to the local auto upholstry shop. The guy covered them with padded vinyl and put some horizontal pleats in them. They came out great and the colored even matched the original blue seat covers. I'll get some pictures later in the week if you're interested. I think he charged my like $100 for both.

bouncytruck · 08-07-2005, 11:53 PM

I like the added interior light idea!

2wdBlazer · 08-08-2005, 10:18 AM

Black carpet on the 2wd. No panels on the 4wd as this truck gets wet.

**Tom Vogel** · 08-08-2005, 11:00 AM

Hmmm, now mine is a 72 GMC with the Cheyane package. Ive taken the originals out, but I dont recall any bends... got a picture?

71RestoRod · 08-12-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Hmmm, now mine is a 72 GMC with the Cheyane package. Ive taken the originals out, but I dont recall any bends... got a picture?

I didn't remember the bends either but it's been a very long time! The originals "bend" around the top of the B-pillars. They sit flush in the back, tuck under the chrome trim piece and then continue forward around the B-pillars all the way to the rubber weather stripping at the door. There is a joggle at the B-pillar.

If you make your own panels and stop them short of the B-pillar in the front, then they don't have to bend. I want mine to have more of an "original" look, but don't want any scroll pattern... so re-pops are out.

I ended up ditching the hardboard / chipboard idea as it was too brittle and does not take to well to moisture. I found a local specialty automotive supply store that sells waterproof "panelboard" made just for this type of application. The only drag is that the largest dimension I could find is 60" so I had to make a splice which really was no big deal.

I hope to get them done this weekend and will post pics if I do.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 08-12-2005, 08:28 AM

I have not gotten that far as of yet I did make some new pannel's outta chip board and was gonna have them covered in marine vinayl(sp)

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-07-2005, 09:30 PM

I have a set of repo's if ya want me to take some pic's for ya

**jamie72** · 08-07-2005, 10:28 PM

hey mike how about a pic??

jhow66 · 08-07-2005, 10:30 PM

Here how my son did his -(thin paneling,foam padding and vinyl).

71swb4x4 · 08-07-2005, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhow66

Here how my son did his -(thin paneling,foam padding and vinyl).

That's what got me started on it. I saw that his looked nice, and thought it wouldn't be too tough to do. I am sure mine won't turn out that nice, but it'll be better than nothing.

orangeuavol · 08-09-2005, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

That's what got me started on it. I saw that his looked nice, and thought it wouldn't be too tough to do. I am sure mine won't turn out that nice, but it'll be better than nothing.

That was my first ever attemp at upholstery. I've only got about 30 bucks in both panels tops. It only took a day to do. I went to a surplus fabric shop and found the vinyl and foam, got the 1/4" paneling at Lowes. All you need is some cardbord for a template, a razor knife, scissors, some 3M spray can upholstery glue, and a staple gun. Give it a try, I'll bet you'll be amazed at what you can do.

08-07-2005, 03:20 PM	#1
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Side panels, what did you cover your's with? I am going to recover my sidepanels. I have a nice set that has no upholstery. My thought is to use vinyl or carpet. What are you using? Pictures would be great. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

08-07-2005, 04:26 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I don't have any side panels, but I'd think that the vinyl would be more practial - You can wipe it clean easier. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

08-07-2005, 05:59 PM	#3
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 494	I'm making a set right now... This week I picked up some 1/8" hardboard, some thin padding and a bunch of walrus grain black vinal. Of course, I bought all of the stuff before dragging the ratty, warped, moldy originals down from the rafters. Now that I have them out, I see that the original cardboard backing had a couple of tight bends in the top front corners. I'm thinking some of that thin indoor/outdoor carpet would have been much easier. I still plan on going for the vinal covered hardboard, but I'm going to have to try and steam the bends into the hardboard or do some kind of relief cuts to make it fit right. It's either that or find something a little more flexable for the panel backings. I'll let you know how it works out. __________________ 71 Blazer / GMPP ZZ383 / MPFI / 700R4 / 4-Wheel Disk / Ground-up frame off almost completed resto-mod

08-07-2005, 08:57 PM	#4
MikeS Active Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 197	I got a piece of cheap 1/8" panelling, cut them, and took it to the local auto upholstry shop. The guy covered them with padded vinyl and put some horizontal pleats in them. They came out great and the colored even matched the original blue seat covers. I'll get some pictures later in the week if you're interested. I think he charged my like $100 for both. __________________ The rides: '72 Blazer 350/4spd/Tuned Port Injection '69 Firebird 400/4 speed 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport 4X4/4.7L V8/5 spd/Headers/Jet Chip, etc. Daily Driver 2002 Airborne Zeppelin (roadbike) Titanium frame/Campy Chorus 2004 Filippi Italia S (rowing shell)

08-07-2005, 11:53 PM	#5
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I like the added interior light idea! __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

08-08-2005, 10:18 AM	#6
2wdBlazer The Blazer King Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Valrico, Fl (Tampa) Posts: 1,213	Black carpet on the 2wd. No panels on the 4wd as this truck gets wet. __________________ 72 2wd Blazer. Its the superbichinest, megacoolinest, superflowinest.

08-08-2005, 11:00 AM	#7
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,565	Bends? Hmmm, now mine is a 72 GMC with the Cheyane package. Ive taken the originals out, but I dont recall any bends... got a picture?

08-12-2005, 08:28 AM	#9
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	I have not gotten that far as of yet I did make some new pannel's outta chip board and was gonna have them covered in marine vinayl(sp) __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

08-07-2005, 09:30 PM	#10
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,484	I have a set of repo's if ya want me to take some pic's for ya __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

08-07-2005, 10:28 PM	#11
jamie72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: madison indiana Posts: 3,839	hey mike how about a pic?? __________________ jamie72 72 BB cheyenne -- Restoration getting started.. member #807 http://www.myspace.com/whitetailobsession www.antlertalk.com

08-07-2005, 10:30 PM	#12
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Here how my son did his -(thin paneling,foam padding and vinyl). Attached Images __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer



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