Firebird1984

I am not sure if any of you have had to replace your interior sail panels (the panels that go over the rear speakers) or not. If so, you may be interested in a little idea to keep the aftermarket replacements stuck in position.

I replaced my sail panels and the replacements don't have the clips on the back that slide into the plastic panels. They sent velcro strips to use to hold them in place.

Well... that works well IF:
1. the plastic panel is absolutely clean, which is next to impossible to obtain with an old panel as they seem to oxidize on the surface even after cleaning with alcohol
2. if you never get the interior hot on a summer day.

Problems with either situation will end up with a possible failure of the adhesive on the velcro strips and the sail panels flop all over.

Ok, what to do? I have pondered this for 2 years now and tried various glues, etc. with no success. It may have been better to try and recover the original panels!

There is a solution though. I took the failed pieces of velcro which actually still were VERY sticky on the back (they just didn't want to adher to the panel) and I restuck them in place on the plastic panel where they were originally and matched up to the other half of the velcro strips still on the back of the sail panel.

I then took a 1/8 inch drill bit and bored two holes through the velcro stip and into the plastic back panel. I then used very short pop rivets to secure the velcro strips to the back panel and they seem to hold really well, at least so far.

This may work for you as well if you suffer from "floppy sail panel syndrome".
Brad

MNformula350

iTrader: (2)

That sounds like a decent fix, the best thing to do is get the later style hard plastic backed ones and recover to match your car.

Randy82WS7

you mean just the speaker covers, the cloth factory ones

you can find good used ones probably new ones through gm maybe too, they are common


hmm

good luck

Firebird1984

MNformula350-- interesting, I have never seen any that have the plastic backing on them. They would also have to have the metal clips to slid into the plastic backing panel to fit right. The only one's I turned up were the fiberboard type from the restoration places.

Fast6800 - I never did find any used ones that had good fabric on them. I am sure that GM has discontined these long ago, but I could be mistaken. I got mine as part of a matched set with the visors and headliner all in one package so the colors all matched.

Ok, I guess I messed up in buying these. Thanks.
Brad

irocyourpants

iTrader: (2)

ehhh i just went to walmart and bought alot of velcro. They havent fallen off for about a year