- Automotive Vinyl. This is different than sign vinyl. Automotive vinyl has a fabric backing and is usually textured. Mine cost me $10 for half of a yard that was 54" wide. I still have quite a bit left over, which I may use on the panels under the rear quarter windows. I purchased the vinyl from a local store in Des Moines, Iowa. Here is their website.
- Phillips Screw Driver
- Flat screwdriver, or door panel removal tool.
- 9/32" socket with rachet/driver
- Regular office stapler
- X-acto knife & Scissors
Step 1
Step 2
Now that you have the door panel removed, take it to a comfortable place to work. Flip it over and pry up the tabs holding the fabric piece in using a flat screwdriver.
Step 3
You should now have a nice piece to work with that looks like this.
Step 4
Remove the Z24 emblem (if equipt) by cutting the 3 plastic rivets on the back with a x-acto knife, then pry the piece off.
Step 5
Now, lay the piece face down on the back of your vinyl. Use it as a pattern to trace onto the vinyl, leaving an inch or so border, so you will have plenty left to wrap around the edges. Once you have the pattern traced, cut it out with some sharp scissors (those cheapos from grade school just aren't gona cut it anymore)
Step 6
Now for the fun part. Place the piece back on the vinyl and starting with one of the flat edges (not a rounded corner), wrap the vinyl around and secure it using the stapler. Lay the stapler flat on the vinyl about a half inch from the edge, and hit it really hard with the palm of you hand. If the staple doesn't go all the way in, or it bends, pull it out and try again.
Step 7
Work your way all the way along one edge in this manor, spacing the stables out about an inch. Once one edge is complete, start with the opposite side. Pull it taunt around the front and staple all the way along this edge. You should now be left with some funky stuff going on at the corners.
Step 8
The corners are kinda tricky. You have to cut little wedges in the vinyl and slowly work your way around the corner, making sure to pull everything really tight. Take your time, you don't want to get sloppy now.
Step 9
Once you get the corners done, you are almost home free! It should looks something like this.
Step 10
Now you just need to put your new creation back in the door panel. Align the metal tabs with the holes in the door panel and stick them all back through. Bend the tabs back over towards the center to secure it back down.
Step 11
Your door panel is now complete. You just need to reinstall the door panel in the car, and you will be all set! Of course, there are 2 doors, so have fun with the other side :)
