Removing Carpet Trim in door panel

[richardch]

Hello Loren,

I want to change the colour of my carpets in my lower main door panels, do I have to take out the whole door panel and what's the procedure please ?

Anybody know where I can get some red carpet lower door panel replacements ?

Richard

Edited August 26, 2006 by richardch

[richardch]

On reflection I can probably buy and cut the new carpet myself, so just need to know how to remove OEM carpet in door panels please ?

[smistry007]

I recently removed my door panel to fix a rattle...

there are about 3-4 torx screws in the door handle and near the door pull. the door pull needs to be popped in half to get to two of the screws. There is also another screw hiding behind the "airbag" medallion.

use a prybar to pry off the plastic "push rivets" at the lower margin of the door. Finally, slide the door panel backward and lift up.

Hope this helps.

Sameer

[djantlive]

can the carpet be dyed without removal?

[richardch]

thks Sameer, whats under the carpet onthe lower door panel just plastic ?

[djantlive]

Yes, it's carpet on plastic.

[richardch]

Ok you won't be replacing this carpet its very strongly glued to the plastic.

Using solvent it parts from the plastic but its a tough job, the carpet latex matting even came off on one side leaving all the individual tuffs.

Just got to decide what to do next leave it smooth black plastic etc, paint it chrome etc ??

[SoCalTurbo]

Ok you won't be replacing this carpet its very strongly glued to the plastic.

Using solvent it parts from the plastic but its a tough job, the carpet latex matting even came off on one side leaving all the individual tuffs.

Just got to decide what to do next leave it smooth black plastic etc, paint it chrome etc ??

i removed the carpet using a heat gun. i got the glue nice and warm and the carpet came right off. it even pulled through the seam between the top and bottom door panel sections, so i was able to feed the new carpet back through there for an OEM look.

that's the easy part of what i went through; rebuilding part of the door panel with abs plastic, fiberglass and body filler...fun but not recommended ;) but, yeah, the carpet is pretty easy to remove with a scraper, random orbit sander with 60 grit paper and a heat gun. just hack the carpet up, scrape it, sand what you can, then heat and pull out the rest...don't try and make the carpet removal a 'clean' project...go after it and you'll get it.

good luck. post pics when you're done!

[richardch]

good luck. post pics when you're done!

yes I will do, currently trying to find a solvent which is strong enough to remove the remaining glue residue and whatever I do here, I will not be taking the door full door panels off with the airbags etc its just too much work