Softening Door Panel Vinyl? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

custom10nut · 03-17-2022, 07:29 AM

The vinyl at the bottom of my door panels is dried out and brittle.
Is there a way to safely soften it up, so I can get it to lay flat and glued down again?
My 70 is by no means a “Show Queen”, but these are the original panels.
I’d just like to get them to look a little nicer.
Thanks in advance

**Grumpy old man** · 03-17-2022, 09:27 AM

usually if they are dried out and brittle it's time to replace them , But if you want to try to save them you can try this old school fix . Vinyl is a petroleum product .
1 ) Clean the affected area with NON ethanol reg gas on a rag .

2 ) once dry use a hair dryer on low heat to soften the area using light pressure try to smooth/ stretch the area flat then apply Vaseline Original Unscented Petroleum Jelly using a dry rag . let sit for awhile then reapply heat and vaseline again if it stretches out and flat enough use contact cement to reglue it . it's a process and if your project is just too dried out your looking at replacement .

Tip : when heating the affected area keep your fingers in the air flow , If the heat is too hot for your fingers it's too hot for the vinyl .

Good luck !

custom10nut · 03-17-2022, 09:56 AM

This is great guidance.
I agree with you that it’s probably time to replace them, but I’m an “Old School Original Parts Guy”, and want to keep the original stuff if at all possible

**MidLifer** · 03-17-2022, 09:14 PM

I bow to GOM and his advice, so this is by no means a challenge to it. What came to my mind when I read your post was ArmorAll. Have you tried something along those lines?

CG · 03-17-2022, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidLifer

I bow to GOM and his advice, so this is by no means a challenge to it. What came to my mind when I read your post was ArmorAll. Have you tried something along those lines?

Be prepared for all the Armorall haters lol (I personally dont get it). I use a product called 303 protectant, cleans and "lubes"

I have a thread here on the board for it somewhere.

Here it is .... https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...&highlight=303

**MidLifer** · 03-17-2022, 09:34 PM

One thing I love about this community vs. Facebook groups and other online places is how much respect members give each other. I've been here 11 years and the only times I've gotten heat is when I've deserved it.

Nonetheless, I will restate the above as "ArmorAll or another vinyl conditioner".

03-17-2022, 07:29 AM	#1
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,867	Softening Door Panel Vinyl? The vinyl at the bottom of my door panels is dried out and brittle. Is there a way to safely soften it up, so I can get it to lay flat and glued down again? My 70 is by no means a “Show Queen”, but these are the original panels. I’d just like to get them to look a little nicer. Thanks in advance

03-17-2022, 09:27 AM	#2
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Softening Door Panel Vinyl? usually if they are dried out and brittle it's time to replace them , But if you want to try to save them you can try this old school fix . Vinyl is a petroleum product . 1 ) Clean the affected area with NON ethanol reg gas on a rag . 2 ) once dry use a hair dryer on low heat to soften the area using light pressure try to smooth/ stretch the area flat then apply Vaseline Original Unscented Petroleum Jelly using a dry rag . let sit for awhile then reapply heat and vaseline again if it stretches out and flat enough use contact cement to reglue it . it's a process and if your project is just too dried out your looking at replacement . Tip : when heating the affected area keep your fingers in the air flow , If the heat is too hot for your fingers it's too hot for the vinyl . Good luck ! __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

03-17-2022, 09:56 AM	#3
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,867	Re: Softening Door Panel Vinyl? This is great guidance. I agree with you that it’s probably time to replace them, but I’m an “Old School Original Parts Guy”, and want to keep the original stuff if at all possible

03-17-2022, 09:14 PM	#4
MidLifer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South NJ Posts: 1,264	Re: Softening Door Panel Vinyl? I bow to GOM and his advice, so this is by no means a challenge to it. What came to my mind when I read your post was ArmorAll. Have you tried something along those lines?

03-17-2022, 09:34 PM	#6
MidLifer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South NJ Posts: 1,264	Re: Softening Door Panel Vinyl? One thing I love about this community vs. Facebook groups and other online places is how much respect members give each other. I've been here 11 years and the only times I've gotten heat is when I've deserved it. Nonetheless, I will restate the above as "ArmorAll or another vinyl conditioner".



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