Finish on inside of door panel

Lew Ledyard · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 08:01 AM

On an aluminum bodied car, what is the best way to finish the interior door panel? Leave it bare, paint it black, cover it with vinyl, cover it with carpeting, paint it the color of the exterior? How were the original S/Cs finished? I will be painting the body rather than leaving it bare aluminum. Also, how were the undersides of the hoods finished on the originals? Was the entire underside painted or just the perimeter (like on a fibreglass car with an aluminum panel insert?

Thanks

computerworks · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 09:29 AM

If you paint your alum car "correctly".. there should be no way to tell that the body is metal.

The interior door panel of the S/C was covered in black vinyl, glued directly to the inner skin of the door, wrapped over the tubing. The door sill of the body has no trim strip like the street cars, and is painted the body color.

The underside of the hood and trunk are also thoroughly painted.

Remember that all S/C's were painted by SA in California; they were painted on demand, over a two year period... however the customer requested... so there should and could be variation in how details were handled... most have the hoops under the lids painted the body color, along with the inner surfaces.

Jamo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 11:38 AM

Lew

At David's recommendation, I went with carpet on the doors and I'm glad I did. Clean look, and added a bit of heft to the doors. Leather map pockets for the bottom half provided a nice finish.

Lew Ledyard · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 11:44 AM

Jamo:

That sounds pretty cool. Any pix?

Thanks

Jamo · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 11:50 AM

Hmmm...

Just went thru all of my stored pics--and notta one! Let me charge up the ol camera and I'll get some.

Lew Ledyard · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2003, 02:21 PM

Much appreciated.

ToyCollector · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 08:29 PM

Lew, I went with carpet on mine, per David's advice. Very nice look. On my old SPF, I had vinyl and it was scuffed by the previous owner/test drivers, and I may have added one or two as well while learning how to get into these things. I wouldn't even bother with map pockets if it was me, after all getting lost is what these things are all about, provided you are not on a race track or near a ghetto .

If I remember, I will try a pic this weekend.

ToyCollector · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 08:32 PM

P.S. I need to also fess up, I couldn't afford the map pockets, so I ruled them out right away.

Lew Ledyard · #9 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 07:10 PM

After I am done, I won't be able to afford the maps.

shaps · #10 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 04:49 AM

Map pockets? I didn't know we could get Map Pockets!!!
Where is David Ks phone number

LOL