LMC 72 door panel quality.

[muddpile]

As much as LMC is frowned upon on this board, it appears as if they are the only ones out there that have grey door panels and arm rests in the 1972 style. It says they paint them with a "UV resistant paint", but how does it hold up to having an arm resting on it or the odd mild abrasion? I will either be doing my interior in grey to match my 90's chev buckets, or reupholstering the buckets in parchment vinyl with plaid inserts to match the stock pieces I have. The seats are in REALLY nice shape, so I figure going with a grey interior would be a nice cheap solution, but if the new grey parts aren't any good, I might have to go with something else. Anyone have a pair of these panels in their truck? Thanks!

[kingsolver72]

Give em try and let us know what you think.(I bet there are as many people that like them as that don't).LMC is not as frown upon as much as you would think.This board is very limited.LMC has been around a lot longer than most if not all other venders.Try to keep an open mind.

[krue]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=169470 Might be another option.

[see ten]

I really don't think you want any aftermarket door panels for your 72. There is a reason not many people carry them, the fit and quality is very low. I tried a set of aftermarket panels a few years ago and I was disgusted with them. They aren't molded the same as the originals. They aren't even the same dimensions, they are molded to fit into the recess of the door instead of having the lip that just rolls out on to the flat part of the door. That might not make sense to you but if you had them in your hand you could see the difference. If you have the stainless trim or woodgrain on your factory ones it will not swap over to the aftermarket ones. The recessed area for the trim is not anywhere near the same size. the factory panels are molded as one piece, while the others have a seperate piece bonded or glued on for each mounting clip. Of course these parts cracked and broke off every time I tried to remove the door panels. I personaly feel you will be much happier if you find a good original set and have them repainted. I took my original parchment panels and had them lightly sandblasted. Then I dropped them off at a reputable (key word here) body shop that painted them with paint designed for interior panels.

[special-K]

I was going to suggest what see ten did.LMC "creates" alot of replacement parts that are not necessarily the same as what they are intended to replace.This is my biggest beef with them.They do not make this clear and with their "mass-marketing" approach,there are many unknowledgable buyiers that don`t even know this.That is what is so great about a message board like this.It`s info,not bashing.And,in my book,LMC is a "new kid on the block" as a vendor of truck parts.Only jumping on the bandwagon when they saw the huge potential business once it was begun by the smaller,less known,higher quality vendor/enthusiasts.They have probably put some hurtin` on these other guys,like HomeDepot has on smaller local building supply/hardware stores.

[mocwon]

"Then I dropped them off at a reputable (key word here) body shop that painted them with paint designed for interior panels."

Here's the best option. If an original set is properly prepped (takes a special plastic prep liquid and a lot of elbow grease fro 30+ year old plastic door panels) and painted you won't even be able to scratch the paint off.

[Derrickbwg]

I'm changing a set of '82 corvette buckets that are garnet red to black. All the corvette companies sell a product they call "Vinyl Dye". It is said to be good for the hard plastic seat pans and backs, dash, door panels and pulls. I prepped and tested a small section on the bottom, it comes in a can and paint like in it's application(maybe it is just paint with a flex agent or something). Once it dried I could not get it to flake off even by scratching it with a screwdriver, it just gouged it a little. If you want to take the time to clean and prep them well, this might work for you. Can be found at ecklers, mid america motorsports, even a guy on ebay sells it. Google for "vinyl dye" or "corvette interior dye".

[special-K]

You can go to a PPG or other quality automotive paint supplier with a peice of interior you want tomatch and they`ll mix you up a spray can of vinyl paint/dye.They sell the prep,too.I doubt it will cost you $30.

[tattoo]

dont chince out on the vinyl dye or any dyes, cheap stuff will stain your skin and clothes when you sweat, especially on hot sticky days,

[truckdude239]

here try this site they have alot of new and used parts for our trucks http://www.manestruckparts.com/

[Derrickbwg]

Tatoo, the vinyl"dye" I'm Talking about is not a dye like RIT. It is manufactured by DUPLIKOLOR and is applied just like rattle can paint. If DupliKOLOR makes it I'm fairly certain it is paint and won't have the properties that you mentioned. If you want to change the color of your carpet, then RIT dye is the way to go but you do risk the problems you mentioned.

[special-K]

The LMC stuff isn`t molded in color,it`s painted/dyed.The big thing is that it is a poor imitation.

[muddpile]

Thanks for the help guys! Looks like I'll be on the lookout for a set of door panels that are not warped or broken. My drivers side one is broken where the screw is, and both are warped a bit. Maybe new clips would straighten them on the door, I'm not too sure. Mine have that scroll pattern on them with the stainless trim around the edge. I've seen the odd set without the scrollwork at the top, but where could I score a set of originals like that? Did they come in a certain model of truck or something?

Derrickbwg, now that you mention that corvette vinyl dye, I remember when I restored my 84 vette two years ago I used a can of that on the console sides! It took a LOT of coats, but it turned it from black to red, and its still on there and it takes lot of abuse from the seat belts and such! I think it was made by a company called performance choice, which I got from Mid America. I know vettes came with grey interiors, so I may have to order some next time I talk to them. What about grey sunvisors? Anyone done anything about those?

[HeavyD]

I have seen the ones without the scroll in base model trucks. I would think putting a wanted post on here would turn up a set pretty quick.

[muddpile]

Yeah, I think I'll put up a wanted post and see what I can come up with. I don't mind the scroll pattern as it matches the stock bench very well, but I am running new buckets. The scroll is also very detailed and hard to keep dirt out of, not to mention its probably hard to get spray dye in. Thanks for the help everyone!

EDIT: I tried to post up a wanted on the parts board, but it said I didn't have permission to use that part of the forum. I know to sell stuff I need to be a site donator, but to buy stuff do I need to be to? Also, how do I go about being a donator etc.

[franko72]

LMC arm rest are poor quality also. I purchased some blue ones for my 72 doors, the paint is already flaking on them a year later. the color match was disapointing also. The only good thing that I see about their parts is that they are cheaper . I guess thats why some of us poor folks wish that we were getting a good deal.

[FormerMember]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=139629

Supporting the board...

[cableguy0]

the 72 style door panels are junk aftermarket only one company makes them and they suck. www.gmcpauls.com refuses to carry them because there is no quality and he wont sell junk. he stands behind what he sells and just cant stand behind those door panels