1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

[Frederick H.]

I am wanting to re-dye and use the original door panels but not sure how to go about removing, and more importantly, re-installing the upper Sash Assembly from the inside of the door panel. It is stapled to the metal frame just below the thin stainless trim at the top of the panel. Suggestions on source for dye as well?

Door Panel Inside.jpgDoor Panel Outside.jpg

Thanks in advance,

Fred

[Mike E.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

My suggestion is not to remove the sash/whiskers unless absolutely necessary. If you have to, you want to cut off the ends of the staples and then gently pull the staple through. Note that the original staples, as I recall, were not shiny silver, but a blackened staple. Installing new staples with exactly the right spacing, using the original holes in the sash and metal support is also a task not done in 20 minutes!

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

Yep - staples are a black finish to "hide" in the whiskers, except I don't have any whiskers left (not me, the door panel). Sounds like a one staple at a time project with an adult beverage handy.

Thanks.

[Ed S.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

The other issue you have to deal with is getting the right zig zag in the trip in the vicinity of the vent window. As I understand the trim piece comes to you from the vendor very straight - you have to put those 2 very slight bends in them to go around the window frame in order to get a flush fit next to the vent window.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

Yep - yet another '63 only challenge. I did see an NOS set on eBay yesterday evening for $350 - couldn't tell from the photos if they had the bend but they should have. I'll take my chances with the $54 repros from Paragon.
Thanks,
Fred

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

The straight upper steel reinforcements molds have been fixed and most manufactures now have the bend in them.
You can also pull your original and AK will use it on a custom set of panels. You get your part back and you know it fits.
I would not recommend removing the steel reinforcement piece if you are planing to reuse the panels.
Rick

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

Absolutely - that is way above my skill set. I had planned to carefully bend the tabs that retain the hockey stick trim and bezels, clean the door panel (and clean again), then dye it and replace everything. Budget dictates that I use my original door panels, given what I spent on the new dash pads and what the seats and carpet will cost.

THanks for the info on Al Knoch though - wasn't aware of that.
Fred

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

I tried using the dye on my 63 and it didn't work out very well. The finished appearance was fine but the door panels get too much wear opening the door and getting in and out of the car and the dye starts to rub off. I ended up finding a nice set of originals at Carlisle which I have on the car now. My interior is dark blue maybe you will have better luck with the red.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Removal of Door Panel Upper Sash Assembly

Will give it shot - thanks.