71 door panel question

[CG]

I have the metal door panels on my 71 right now. I bought a set of repro vinyl covers to spruce up the interior a little bit. What are you guys using for door panel backer board? Also is using the metal panel for a pattern the way to go? It seems the obvious way to me but I figured I should ask just in case.

[71 super]

The new vinyl glues on top of the metal panel using 3m trim adhesive or similar. Some f the repops come with plastic panel to replace the original metal one, but if your metal are in good shape stuff, glue and play. You will have about 2 hours in the replacement time or less.

[CG]

My metal panels are ribbed. dont the vinyl style door panels require a flat mounting surface?

[cdowns]

i've used 1/8 plywood also have used masonite or go to local upholsteryshop and get the real stuff

[Longhorn Man]

the stock ones were applied over the ribbed steel door panles. Personally, i would use some sort of plastic. The vinal holds the water on the steel and they end up rusting.

[Tim Christian]

I alway put them over the metal panels like the factory did. The repo vinyl covers we sell has a brown thin backing on them so the ribs from the metal panels don't show.

[CG]

Thanks guys. I wasnt sure which way to go on these panels so I stripped the bench seat down to the bare frame today and decided to put the new foam and cover on it. Unfortunatly my new stuff wont work with the old stuff. I should have done the panels instead.

I think Im just going to go ahead and glue em to the metal panels and glue a thick piece of visquine (sp?) to the rear before I screw it all down.

[special-K]

The originals may have gotten rust on some in the rust belt over these decades on outside daily use trucks.But,I wouldn`t be concerned with it with the use most trucks are seeing,now.Even around the salty state of Maryland I don`t run into rusted door panels like some guys have.Let us see how these turn out.