Material for inside body panels

[jwrightjr]

Getting along on some of my "projects" and wanting to start on the part I have been avoiding, the interior. I am trying to figure out what material to use to make the inside panels. It appears to be a non-corrugated card board painted black on the open cars and cloth covered on the closed cars. I have been nosing around trying to find something remotely close as I have an open and closed car to do. Everything I come across is either too stiff or too flimsy. Any suggestions of what to use and where to get it? Thanks for any advice.

[CudaMan]

The vendors sell kits if you want to go that route. Call before you order to make sure they actually have the items you want in stock - unless you want to be put on an excruciatingly long wait list.

If you are determined to do it yourself, here are a couple of guys who did their own interiors from scratch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su3J6t1C5oI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFyklhAnxx8

[Allan]

3mm MDF does the job nicely. It is easy to work, but does need sealing against moisture. It can even be sewn through by a decent sewing machine if you need to stitch covering over it.

Allan from down under.

[Pep C Strebeck]

I had bought Door Panel Material from Restoration Specialties, you can find a link to their catalog through the link below:


https://www.restorationspecialties.com/


It is on page 117 of their PDF catalog. It is a black, waterproof material, 3/32" thick and closely resembles the original cardboard material that started in 1917. The sheets are relatively cheap, but shipping is expensive (oversize), but you can ask them to cut the sheets so the shipping will be less. I would recommend the original style binding/welt to trim out the edges of the panels once installed, it looks nicer:

https://www.modeltford.com/item/D-TRIMOR.aspx

[Dropacent]

John, if you have any decent upholstery shop nearly, it’s called cowl board. It’s treated to hold up well in an auto. A decent machine can sew through it, also. I need to run up town and get a couple sheets myself, so if you cannot find it, let me know size needed. It’ll be a lot cheaper than sending to California for it. Tmorsher@icloud.com

[Kevin Pharis]

You can also order up 1/16” ABS sheet as an option. Glues, cuts, and sews with all the usual tools required. It holds a formed shape with a touch of heat, and won’t be bothered by getting wet

[Pep C Strebeck]

It’ll be a lot cheaper than sending to California for it.

Restoration Supply is in California, Restoration Specialties is in Pennsylvania.

[Dropacent]

Thanks Pep, yes I missed that. Indeed, it is very close to what was used originally.