How Door Panels Are Made

For most classic car restorers sewing together upholstery is an unlearned skill.

How door panels are made.

Panel doors are and have been very popular for quite some time. This series of videos will walk you through building custom interior door panels. The door is crafted not of one single piece of wood or other material but instead is comprised of panels. As shown in the illustration above panel doors are made from a framework of stiles and rails that hold wood panels.

But using some readily available components you can achieve professional looking results. Some panel doors have glass lites rather than wood panels. Each of these panels will fit together in order to create the finished door. Be sure to mark all holes for the clips and door handles.

For example a six panel door will be made up of six inset rectangles or squares within the door. This construction method is common because it minimizes the effects of wood s tendency to shrink warp and swell with variations in humidity. Place one 48 by 48 by 1 8 inch hardboard on a worktable. Set an old door panel on the hardboard and trace its shape.

However with a little instruction and a broad selection of car interior upholstery parts the task is made easier than you might think.