repairing holes in door trim ?

[Fatty]

hey guys. i have a few little screw holes in my door trim from where the previous owner had installed a plastic pocket on the door. i removed it as i kept banging my leg against it on corners, and it generally made me feel really cramped.
i also want to patch up the big holes for the armrest. i just removed this today, and holy hell it makes such a difference to the feeling of spaciousness you get in the drivers seat! it feels like i'm back in the seat of my previous car, a '99 calais. i was sick of the bruises on my leg from hard cornering, so it had to go.
i must admit i got the idea of removing the armrest from matty kings' cardomain page, altho the implementation is a little different. that strap you see in the pic will probably be replaced with something a little nicer, maybe a shorter leather strap or something like that.

so, any idea on how to patch these holes? i have this fogggy vague memory of seeing ads on tv years ago when i was a kid, for this plastic goop that you could use to repair cracks or holes in leather and vinyl furniture. any idea what this product is called or where you can get it, or any other suggestions?

thanks

[Fatty]

thanks steve. i might just try that, glue some new vinyl over the top of the existing panel, is that what you mean?

i'm not sure that a strap is even needed. i can just use the door handle to pull the door shut, as long as i let go of the handle before it closes.

[Fatty]

hehe

here's hoping i get it right first time.

[Bevan]

If you're going to do it Fatty, do it properly! Here is a step by step guide on redoing your door trim. They are excellent instructions and show how to spruce it up a little bit as well. Good Luck and post some pics!

http://www.whyyoulittle.fsnet.co.uk/mx5/panel/

[Bevan]

I just read that page again and you should take special note of his tips at the bottom of the screen when he updated his interior again. He's put a little door pull in next to the door handle that looks really neat. Also a few other tips that he changed a little the second time around.

[Fatty]

thanks bevan, nice link.

yeah that door pull looks good but i think i would put it where i have the strap currently, at the other end of the door. but i don't know if i'll even bother with it.

i need a new door handle before i do this anyway, mine is broken, as you can in the picture.

[Fatty]

progress report.

got my supplies from spotlight, all up it was about $33 to do both doors. i got glue instead of staples, but otherwise pretty much just followed the instructions from the link bevan posted.
the only thing that isn't clear in that link is how to get the door handle surround off. but figured it out eventually. you lock the door, pull on the handle and then slide the surround out towards the front.

now, i was gonna go plain old black but they had this red vinyl that is a good match to my exterior, so i got that instead. might look a bit too flashy for me, not sure yet. but i think i like it. of course this means that i'll need to do BOTH doors instead of just the drivers side, but it's pretty easy.

i can't fit the door yet as i need to replace my busted handle (i got a second hand one, but he gave me the passenger side handle , so i need to go back and swap it)

[Philip Lee]

looks excellent.

i wanted to do this for a long time but i fail to find any vinyl in the colour i like. will have to check out spotlights soon.

[Fatty]

well i got the last bit of it at spotlight in box hill, so they are out of stock at the moment. other locations should have it tho. *edit - i see you are in brissy, so this shouldn;t be a problem for you anyway

anyway i am off now to get my door handle swapped over. will post a pic of it finished off later this arvo.

[Fatty]

ok, new door handle in and it all goes back together.

with the way it matches my paint and steering wheel, you'd swear it came from the factory this way. i'm really happy wiith the result.
you can't see it in these shots but my leather gearshift boot has a red trim bit thru the middle as well. so it all ties together really nicely, and adds a bit of colour to an otherwise very dark, drab interior.

[Philip Lee]

so u're doing without a door pull??

[Boags]

I like it! Nice work.

BTW everyone, note the ping pong table which I beat Fatty on in the background...

Boags

[Fatty]

hahahaha ya bloody smartass boags!!

yes philip, i'm going to live without the door pull for a while and see how i go, but i might end up putting something on there.

as i have been driving around for a few days without the trim on, i have just been using the door handle or grabbing the front glass frame bit ( i 've forgotten the right name for it.) as i usually have the window wound down a bit. so yeah, i was planning on putting something on there but then found i don't really need it.

[Benny]

Looks great Fatty.
Now you're an auto upholsterer!

I just hope the glue holds, as usually, it will only last a year or so before it will start coming off.
That's why the factory uses staples.

[Fatty]

thanks benny.

my original black vinyl was glued tho, and it seems to have lasted ok.

but yeah if it starts to come loose i will staple it.