Automotive Upholstery - Making Custom Door Panels Part 1 - Patterns

Visit www.TheLuckyNee... for more videos and more "how to" upholstery information
In this upholstery tutorial I will show you how to make a pattern for door panels. We will do this using clear vinyl first and then chip board. This is a good skill to learn so that you can make perfect fitting panels in your hot rod interior. I hope you enjoy!
This is a clip from the Door Panel and Kick Panel Series available at www.TheLuckyNee...
WEBSITE: for more upholstery videos and resources www.TheLuckyNee...
UPHOLSTERY QUESTIONS? Go to www.TheUpholsteryForum.com. Here you will find a community of all levels of upholsters and trimmers with questions just like yours, and lots of answers! The Upholstery Forum will be your best and fastest resource to get all your upholstery questions answered by multiple experts! Make sure you are registered on The Upholstery Forum, so if you ever get stuck on a project, you'll have a community of answers at your fingertips!
SHOP LUCKY NEEDLE MERCHANDISE: the-lucky-need...

[@onewheelup]

wow longest video I've ever watched on youtube,thanks,that was very cool of you to share your knowledge dude.i have a old truck i mess around with.its a 95 gmc Z71,and the good thing is i already cut the whole bottom half off of the door panels and made sealed enclosures for some 8 inch mid bass drivers,speakers don't go inside the speaker hole in the metal door these have 1/4 MDF on the back with fiber glass resin,the metal part of the door is sealed with deadener so no water can get in,so all i would be making is just a half a panel for the tops,so hell,why not give it a try huh,its not my daily driver.i would like to make the inside look modern,so a lot of panels,dash,headliner all that,thanks again i will keep watching.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks! Glad you liked the videos. I hope your project comes out nicely!

[@408SPLKINGS]

Great video, audio, tutorial. 👍👍 Use straight edge to flatten & take out air bubbles & creases on vinyl & chipboard...😉 Viewers : charge cell or device, take a nap, use the restroom, & pack a lunch...😁 Tutorial is extremely thorough & that's being understated...😬 Definitely worth watching...😀

[@TiuTauTilhi]

Thanks for sharing this very detailed video! Good tip to use that clear vinyl for tracing - have an old car door project myself, with no original door panels to use for pattern. You've already helped a lot with all the tips. Will definitely watch the rest of the videos, too. Best of luck to you in your business!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks! great to hear that it was helpful.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

you are very good at the work and you convey your information very well. Also, I envy your nice bright work space with a large table top. I'm set up to watch the rest of the series.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thank You! I hope you enjoy them.

[@rjensen4896]

That clear vinyl can also help with older cars and the offset holes in the panel. If you keep the old panels you can line the vinyl patern up with the old panel and draw in where the offset holes are for the clips

[@j.m.1389]

I love the way that you are explaining things. This video is very inspiring.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks! Really glad you liked it!

[@Built2Fast]

This is awesome. I am doing rear panels for my EVO X and was looking around for inspiring ideas of how best to do it. Thanks for uploading your video.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Glad to you like it! Thanks for watching! Hope you send some pics when your finished.

[@Built2Fast]

I will try. Looking around it appears everyone just wraps the panels. Started buying the materials this evening after work. No shop or garage to work in so it'll be done on my deck and parking lot. Condo living at its best!

[@goldwolf0606]

Genius dude. I’ve never needed to do this but I’ve seen some cars with no panel and thought... I’m not buying that piece of crap 😂!!! Now I can buy it for low low price and build my own door panel!

[@dave5833]

Just found your channel and subscribed!! Thanks keep em coming???

[@sorrentorandle605]

Great job!!! I have a 1985 pontiac parisienne need door panels made?

[@54321snoopyman]

Great video xcellent. So patient guy. Th are good

[@canned__meat]

Bloody good idea! I've been watching people making door cards to get an idea how they go about it, you're to first one I've seen that uses the clear vinyl. It seems like a really obvious advantage but... I didn't even consider it before. I think you might have saved me HOURS of readjustment and trimming. Thanks heaps!!!

[@Theluckyneedle]

You are welcome! Glad I could help!

[@barnes29510]

Vinyl, like a clear shower curtain?

[@Icemanx18]

I have a question: I’m trying to make a door panel for my 74 nova but as I see here in you example at 11:57 you have a cap piece that goes on your door. I do not have a piece like this so how do I go about curving the door panel to meet where the window felt strip goes?

[@charleschidester6767]

that is brilliant thanks for the tip.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Glad you like it! Thanks!

[@paulalan3103]

Ingenious!

[@buckwild6552]

What would you charge me to make my door panels for a 94 Chevy 1500 Silverado. With 2 speaker pod in each door, glassed unpainted?

[@danjohnson5114]

what kind of spray glue is that? Is there a 3M designator like 88?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Its cheep spray adhesive from the upholstery store. Don't waste your money on the 3m stuff. I call it temp tac because it really is only good to hold things in place temporarily.

[@braleyshardwoodcustoms8584]

Ok where did u get the top trim piece

[@Theluckyneedle]

its part of the car

[@rockyjohnston1513]

I'm wanting to redo my door panels for my 1972 Mercury Marquis. But do not want to damage the ones I have because they are mint all original. How would I go about making the top of the door panel.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Umm I'm not quite sure what your trying to do. Can you send pictures?

[@rockyjohnston1513]

The Lucky Needle at the top of the door panel it curves back to the window and down. You have the metal cover on my door panels I don't. Mine is whole how can I make the curve

[@Theluckyneedle]

You could do it out of fiber glass but it will take a lot of time to do that. You would be better off buying some factory panels and using those.

[@EVAN-re2yo]

The Lucky Needle my door panel is just flat..its easy for to DIY it on my home..nice info..and sad for you rocky..may your car REST IN PEACE

[@quadflopper1012]

what kind of store sells clear vinyl like that and what is the thickness of the vinyl? live in small town, no local store where i live sells any vinyl like that so have to buy online or out of town

[@Theluckyneedle]

Any fabric store will sell clear vinyl. I get what ever is the cheapest. You want the thin stuff. 4 gauge clear vinyl works well.

[@caseytbss]

You can also buy clear shower curtain at dollar store or where ever.

[@middleagednmarvelous]

fabric stores

[@Oskins101]

Thats cardboard not chipboard

[@EVAN-re2yo]

Peter Mcfarlane indeed..

[@Lientz]

You definitely follow the most important rule of custom work, prep is everything, better prep = better results

[@Theluckyneedle]

Very true! Thanks!

[@sashuni1064]

Not only is this outstandingly informative/creative, I’m absolutely loving the somehow wholesome vibes. How is there only a 1% like rating????

[@djreminise1]

Thank you bro..I was looking on the web and couldn't find any info on this.. You came through like a champ 👍🏼

[@TheHDFatBoyGuys]

Enjoyed the video. Looking to redo the door panels for my 1773 Jensen Interceptor Mk III. The original panels are some sort of fiberboard that have warped very badly over 50 years. It does look like they are identical for left and right. The clear vinyl is a great idea.

[@Flyingdinosaur69]

Man I didn't read the desciption properly at first and thought that was your finished product door card, not just a pattern 🤣🤣😅

[@brianruffing8555]

Excellent video with no detail skipped. I never would have thought of using vinyl.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jwhrivnak]

Good info, thanks for the video

[@Brandon-we1bd]

I been looking at your dvds online. But I found you on KZbin. Are the dvds the same as KZbin or more hands on?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hello. We only have a select few of our videos here on KZbin. Our courses are much more extensive. For more info on what our courses cover visits our website www.theluckyneedle.com and if you have questions, use the contact us form to reach out! We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[@ecesarchavez]

Where do you get the plastic used in your pattern making? Can that be used for a weather / water shield barrier between the metal door and the actual door panel if you are using a cardboard door panel?

[@kimkaiser9426]

yu may be able to get a clear shower curtain,, they are pretty heavy gauge material

[@garykreutzer1239]

Many lumberyard/hardware stores carry it. It's made by a company called Yancy I believe.

[@diamondperformancefab5931]

25:30 TET FIST THE TEMPLATE lol

[@docthehillbillylobo8717]

Jesus Christ! I need to go shave again. lol

[@budakota]

All of your Automotive Upholstery Videos!!!.. Are Very, Very Informative, I love that you Give Step by Step Directions, as opposed to many , many other You Tube Auto Upholstery How To Videos , that seem to skip/race thru very important steps .......Just A Thought ,, that I'm not sure that your aware of ..but just by viewing this video alone .. It's not difficult for me to see Your A Pretty Smart Young Guy !!!...So ., as I said , Just A Thought ... You mentioned that You use ABS for your door panel base...Might I add a suggestion , Which I have used for many , many years now ...The PVC Board , that is readily available thru many Plastic, Lexan, Sports Orientated , & Art Supply Stores , this PVC Board is available in various thicknesses from 1/32" -1/8" -1/4"-1/2" -5/8"-3/4... it might be available in larger thicknesses as well , but these sizes I've stated are the ones I like to work with ... this PVC board is available in 4' x 4' sheets as well as 4' x 8' sheets depending on the supplier tho, As your well aware of ABS is prone to deform cracking , splitting ...especially if heat is used ...where as the PVC Board Can Withstand All Of Such, n' it's Water Resistant Too!!..the $$$$$ Advantage Feature is its Price as opposed to ABS ....the 1/8" PVC BOARD is what I Use For All Of My Door Panels I Have Fabricated ...on a further note .. I tend to use 1/2" thick PVC Board ..Upon Fabricating /Building Complete Console Designs , The PVC Board Can Bend /Formed to Many Curvatures .. just by applying heat from a heat gun on the medium setting . ..like I said Your Automotive Videos Are Very, Very Informative,. There Second To None , In My Opinion ...Usually it's the Older That Teaches The Younger New Tricks ...But In This Particular Case " Lucky Needle " ..The Younger Is Now Teaching The Older ..New Tricks!!:):).....

[@josephsecogesjr]

is this channel finished???

[@matthewmoilanen787]

If you had those new fangled things called power windows you wouldn't have to worry about those pesky crank handle shafts.

[@figgynestr7926]

The lucky needle- " I'm going to show you, MY WAY, OR THE HIGHWAY"...

[@deltajohnny]

Very instructional video with very good information. Thanks!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it. What project are you workin on?

[@deltajohnny]

I have recently purchased a Pfaff 1245 to make some leather seat covers for my car and future projects that I am sure that will come, so I'm watching as many upholstering videos as I can. This craft is really interesting! ;-)

[@Theluckyneedle]

Nice! That's a good machine. Ive got a lot more videos available on my website if you interested. Feel free to send and questions you have as your learning.

[@deltajohnny]

Thanks! I'll visit your website for sure. Keep up the good work!

[@dannylee5588]

Do you have any videos that might help me upholster my Subaru seats? They are leather and torn badly on the driver side. Thanks

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hello! We offer full courses on how to upholster your entire vehicle! Upholstery Seats can be found in our Seats: Original and Custom Course found here: theluckyneedle.com/products/seats/

[@Foco3018]

Great video. What was in the yellow can agaian?

[@brendasheehan5425]

Love your videos! Please keep making them.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks Brenda!

[@Ra-ml1it]

Use hard board one sheet does a door

[@nuclearbum9858]

can you get the radius bullnose piece for suburbans at the top of the door

[@Theluckyneedle]

Im not sure if anyone sells those

[@jackangel168]

Ready to cut what

[@pzavada1]

Won't the door pattern work for the right side too?

[@Theluckyneedle]

It might but your would be surprised how different cars can be from left to right. If you want a perfect fit its best to pattern both sides.

[@matthewsteverson943]

wtf is chip board and why don't they make it any wider?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Its a type of card board that is really for patterns. They probably do make it bigger but this is just the common size.

[@Mallbia]

Could you do a video on custom headliner boards? It's easy to re upholster an existing board, but I don't have one.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks for the suggestion Kat! I will try to film that next time I do one.

[@michaelstaack4514]

What Kind of chipboard you are useing ?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hi Michael Its just chip board you get at the upholstery store. Nothing special. All stores will carry it.

[@georgetorres8834]

Glad I came across your channel. I have a 73 Riviera and this tutorial gave me hope cause I don't have a clue where to start till now. I don't even have the door panel rails so any other episodes that you think could help me please let me know. I have the entire interior to do and starting with door panels. Thank you again!!!!!!

[@nikog4071]

where u get the plastic from ..it looks like same thinkness of a see through shower curtain

[@Theluckyneedle]

Its just thin clear vinyl. You can buy it at most upholstery supply stores

[@nikog4071]

ok cool thanks for the information

[@berniecruz8405]

Dude, you could of made these videos shorter and in to just one video is if you would fast forward all the obvious steps, like adjusting the vynlil or scoring the other material and even cutting the material.. All this time showing the obvious was just a waste of time. Also , you can cut down on the explanations so much.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks for the helpful tips Bernie

[@grouchousrex]

nonsense. I watched every minute.

[@TiuTauTilhi]

Indeed. The remarkable feature in watching a youtube video is the scroll bar that you can fast-forward any video, if you want to skip ahead! Isn't that amazing? ;) I watched all of it (and if they had, they would've noticed the ffwd sections in some parts of it, too), it's very helpful for a newbie to see it all step by step. Much better than the "Cut here and here, and do this and.. here we have skipped straight to the finished part" style of vids where you miss out half the process.

[@EVAN-re2yo]

The Lucky Needle never do what that man say..Dont skip your video..more detail more people can understand its..that man just to lazy to watch something like this...this is an educations