Door panel dilemma

[matthewlawe]

I've endeavored to keep the Reatta in the best condition as
possible replacing parts as needed with OEM or appropriate
new parts.

However, my driver's door panel came loose and I removed
it to see what the problem was. The three door pins that are
attached to plastic extionsion had all collapsed. It looks like
these three extensions collapsed due to the adhesive failure
as they all had been repaired. I had noticed the repair when
I had the panel off some years ago to replace the speaker and
install a new vapor barrier and took great pains to be careful
when I reinstalled it. When the door panel came loose there
as a noticeable gap along the bottom. Nothing was left of these
extension.

My door panel is in very good condition and I am not considering
another one at this time, if ever. I am wondering what I can do
short of putting screws thru the panel. Perhaps finding someone
to find a beat up panel (any color) and cutting out the three
extensions which I would install using, say, liquid nails.

Any help would be appreciated.

[steveskyhawk]

A hot glue gun makes quick work of reattaching the fastners.

[NCReatta]

Same with fiberglass resin. That's what I've used to reattach my door panel clips.

But in this case, if you are just going to fix the current clips, a hot glue gun may be the way to go.

[NEMO]

Is the surface where these clips are connected to is damaged ? Try using a larger piece of stiff plastic,lay the plastic on the door panel,mark the corners and where the clip will go. Then you will have a stronger hold to the door panel, so the nails will have a better chance to keep the panel secure.

[KDirk]

I'll concur with the above suggestions. I would not recommend trying to remove the broken pin holder and attach a good one from another door panel, as in addition to being glued on, there are also staples through the plastic into the pressboard. Removal of these pin holders will typically take a chunk out of the pressboard, making an even bigger problem. Lets just say I found this out the hard way.

KDirk

[Kitskaboodle]

This is a common problem in my opinion.
Mine has done the same thing as yours. The black plastic "U" brackets often
pull away from the fiberboard when the door panels are pulled off or simply from tension from being attached to the door.

I epoxied mine, although you have to "roughen up" the area. Epoxy doesnt like smooth, non-porous surfaces. Was thinking of trying Gorilla glue next time.
Yes, it is "expanding" but it wont show once you have the panel back in place.

A little advice.....
A) If your door panel is in good/excellent shape externally then it is worth fixing the internal fasteners/brackets.
B) When you're at a PickNPull try to get some spare fasteners/brackets from the back of the panels. You can use one of those disposable long blade box cutter knives or a chisel, etc...to get them off.
C) If you pull off interior panels off your Reatta be prepared to fix something!!

Kit

[matthewlawe]

Marck, Nemo, Kevin and Kit -

Gentlemen, thank you for your insight and advice. It is much appreciated.
Once I work through this, I will post the results.

Initially, with the first reply, I thought this was going to turn into a glue thread!

[steveskyhawk]

Matt and all,

If you look at the backside of your door panel you will see a rubbery root beer colored substance which is obviously an adhesive. That root beer colored adhesive is hot glue that the the factory applied when assembling the door panel. If you are unfamiliar with a hot glue gun you might want to get familiar. It is much quicker, cheaper and easier than epoxies etc. If it was good enough for GM then it is good enough for me.

[NEMO]

If this root beer colored substance has come loose from the door panel, using a larger surface to hold the clip, to the inner door panel,would be in order. Giving the clip a larger surface to hold, to the inner panel would give a less chance for failure as time goes on.

[Barney Eaton]

You could get by with a quick fix with hot melt glue, but if you plan on keeping the car, you might want to go for a better than factory fix.

Paint the area with fiberglass resin (make sure all the loose backing is removed)
Allow the resin to soak into the fiber. This gives a good base for reattachmet and it also waterproofs the area. Then attach the plastic holders to the resin with more resin.
A little fiberglass cloth around the edges of the holder will give you a strong, weatherproof bond that will probably last as long as you own the car.

[matthewlawe]

Thanks again Nemo and Barney. I expect to keep the Reatta until I am no longer
able to drive and will do as you suggest.