Arm rests

[936cbpminor]

Continuing on with the new door cards, I come to the back. On a 2 door were there always arm rests fitted? I have recreated the millboard panels complete with the armrest and about to cover it in new vinyl. It is held in posion with a number of screws into the body which, compared to the front, looks naff.
I am tempted to either make new panels in ply and cover them with no arm rest or make a seperate armrest and attach to the panel. Fixings would be clips like the front. Wonder what others have done. Photos would be handy

[charlie_morris_minor]

take your time, this is mine
i am happy to talk you through what you need to do..
[frame][/frame]

[936cbpminor]

Nice finish charlie_morris_minor. notice you kept the screws showing. i was going to try and punch out the card and use spring clips. i remade the cards and the 'shelf' is 20mm marine ply. i'll pm what i have done thus far. thanks

[charlie_morris_minor]

thank you

the holes in the body work are only big enough for screws so you will need to increase the size of the holes there to match.

20mm marine ply seems thick for door panels and the side panels as you wil need to cut a slit in the side panel and bend the panel either side of the arm rest.

[936cbpminor]

sorry, bad explanation by me! panel is millboard but the part you rest your arm on is ply. i have curved the card. nailed endgrain on side nearest centre of cabin and riveted to a metal strip on outside. it is now all per original (couldn't faff about making a card shelf) i'll get some photos up i think!

[charlie_morris_minor]

you might want to check that the millboard is strong enough to allow you to pull the spring clips out of the holes without ripping the millboard. The spring clips can rip through hardboard if the holes are too close to the edge.

[936cbpminor]

Again, thank you charlie_morris_minor. looking at how close the holes are I think I will stick with the screws in the millboard although I may make some reinforcing strips so it doesnt pull through. shame the fixing couldn't be invisible like the front but have to live with that one! got to now ensure that there is sufficient spray adhesive on the face to fit the vinyl as I dont want this peeling off. edges will fold over and be stapled on the rear!

[charlie_morris_minor]

make sure your staples are short or they will poke out through the front.. obvious i know but i did it

[perkinsp3]

Hi Guys
My two rear door cards have been stored out of the car (not by me) for about 30 years and are a bit squashed but not completely flat. Any suggestions how I could "re-shape" them? Or do I just buy new?
Any advice welcome
Thanks
Pete

[panky]

You could try steaming them, it worked on the mill board rear side bin liners in my Mini It was one of those hand steamers that looks like a little penguin, I used it to clean the fabric seats up with amazing results too

[charlie_morris_minor]

not sure if you are talking 4 door or 2 door.

The rear panels (as in the photos above) on the two doors are not flat, obviously depends on the amount of bend you have, have you trial fitted them?

but yes try a bit of steam as suggested by panky.. what have you got to lose?

after that you will either need to get good second hand or new..

[perkinsp3]

Thanks Panky & CharlieMM. It's a two door. They definitely won't fit but the steam idea sounds good. We do have one of those penguin type gizmos and as you say what have I got to lose.
Thanks for the useful suggestion

[ASL642]

After steaming lie them somewhere flat weighted down by something heavy (books) This usually does the trick.

[perkinsp3]

Good suggestion, thanks ASL642