Door Panel Attachment

[atlanta_man]

1995 Astro Passenger Front Door Panel--

Removed it to fix a door handle problem. Several of the mounts to which the nylon rivet things attach (whatever they are called) came loose from the panel. They are not torn out. It looks like the adhesive which mounts them simply let go of the back of the panel. The two closest to the mirror are two of the ones that failed, otherwise I might try and get by without them, but without those the little sail that peeks up in front will be loose and floppy...

What is the best thing to put them back with? At the moment, I'm sitting on the fence between hot glue and Gorilla glue or some similar epoxy. I sort of like the idea of the hot glue because it would set quickly, but how well will it hold? I don't see a good way to weight or clamp these things so I assume I'll have to hold them until they set. How do I do this quickly so they don't ooze out of position?

What have others tried which worked best?

Thanks!

[Dirk]

I'd use the Gorilla glue or a good contact glue, you could use a piece of tape to keep them in place while the glue sets.
Be sure to use a tape that sticks but won't ruin the upholstery!

[kennyj]

Gorilla glue is a good choice. I had to do the exact same repair and I used PL Premium which is similar to Gorilla, it's an expanding urethane. Make sure the pieces mate up nicely, dampen the surface, and glue it up. You just need to tape it to keep the part from shifting while the glue cures. Let it sit overnight for a good cure.

And wear gloves... Gorilla glue will leave black stains on your skin!

[LEVE]

I've had almost all of those clips come off. I was successful in gluing them back on with this from Ace Hardware:



It's about $6 per tube. I've been using it in all sorts of places where the plastic is cracked, like on the '93 Drivers Door Pocket. It works fine and sets up quickly.

['cudapaul]

I used epoxy. Any epxoy that I have on hand works well.

If they come loose you can glue them back on again, but next time use a trim panel puller or a long screwdriver to lift the nylon heads.

[LEVE]

You can pick up a pane removal pry set at Harbor Freight of cheap (about $7). My '93 Astro had every one of them broken when I purchased it. I picked up a set to use after the panels were repaired. These tools are plastic. I like them better than the tool I got from NAPA (a metal one) because it's less likely to scratch the door frame.

[RECox286]

Don't try hot glue, it isn't strong enough and will give way. I use "5 minute epoxy" when having to cope with this problem. Hasn't let me down yet.
Haven't thought about trying Gorilla snot, but I still think epoxy is the better choice.

Bob

[chevy57bert]

I've had almost all of those clips come off. I was successful in gluing them back on with this from Ace Hardware:

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It's about $6 per tube. I've been using it in all sorts of places where the plastic is cracked, like on the '93 Drivers Door Pocket. It works fine and sets up quickly.

No 3M glue Leve? J/K

[LEVE]

No 3M glue Leve? J/K

Heck no! I can't afford the stuff.... I'll let you working stiffs do all the heavy financial lifting.... while I sit back and rake in the retirement. My goal... live longer on Retirement from 'em than I worked for them. The best revenge is a good life!