Saggy Door Map Pocket Repair

[jsn_ayers]

http://qianlima.en.alibaba.com/produ...nd_twines.html


heres a site that has colors you can picks and thickness.

[david]

The sewing the elastic together was excellent, getting rid of those rusty staples. I was going to restaple the elastic. That would have been a mistake.

[rdodge]

Thanks - this is a big help. the pictures are really going to help us beginners.

[SupraWes]

I used those elastic tarp tie downs with the plastic balls on the ends to replace the seatback elastic. Once again only seen them in black but its good strong elastic and they are just long enough to work.

[SupraKen85]

I took the easy way out on my doors. I just bought a roll of 3M velcro in black. Staples and Wal-Mart sell it. After cleaning the vinyl with some Windex, I ran the strips near the top edge of the pocket, right below the seam. You can still use the pockets, and although it's not a factory original type of fix, the velcro holds the pockets against the door nice and tight.

['82supra]

I also used thick elastic straps with adhesive velcro strips for a 15 minute fix (it took me loger to do this post!).

I got tired of looking at saggy map pockets, but I didn't want to go to extreme lengths.



I reused the elastic straps from some rollerblade pads I had laying around, since they already had velcro sewn on them. I cut the strap short and attached a piece of adhesive velcro strip to the other end (too lazy to sew).



First, I cut off the old tired elastics (or what was left).



Instead of removing the 28yr old door panels ('cuz I always end up messin' up the door upholstry clips), I inserted one adhesive velcro strip deep into the recesses at the top of each pocket where the old elastic used to be (a finger long strip is enough to give it strength).



I stuck velcro adhesive strips onto the top corners inside the pocket. I connected the elastic strap to the door first and then connected it to the pocket.



I'll probably have to replace the adhesive velcro strips some day (or might add a stitch or two when I have the inclination) but it holds decent enough for now. The Dollar Store sells adhesive velcro strips for a buck.

I tested it out with a Haynes manual, but would normally only store a map or two.



One less aggrivation out the way...just trying to finish some projects and minor fixups before spring fever hits!


ps. After about a week... cold weather causes the glue to be not so sticky, likely much better when warm. I might consider contact cement on the inside, since the map pocket is pretty thick and difficult to penetrate with needle and thread.

[ddd228]

I did a WAY cheat thing and used a mini bugee cord. It was at least blue to be close to the color.
Those pix were very good! Did it to the passenger side. The drivers side has not broken,yet. My ex girlfriend used to stuff a lot of stuff in there!Girl stuff.

[Dave_Cod]

If anyone has sourced out Heavy Duty Elastic in Blue, please let me know as i have 3 Blue Cars.

If worst comes to worst, I was thinking of getting Heavy Duty black elastic & covering the elastic with Blue cloth "tubing" from a Fabric/Sewing store.

As far as stapling the elastic on the back of the Door Card as it was done originally, I was thinking to fix one end leaving about 4 inches of elastic "free" and then tying a removable knot after pulling the other end thru.

In this way...as the elastic "stretches" (and even Heavy Duty Elastic will) it can gradually be tightened by moving the knot to compensate, so at least the Map Pockets....can always be kept "snug".

Anyway, if anyone has found a source for good Elastic that also close to original colour, please PM me.

Thanx

['82supra]

ps. After about a week... cold weather causes the glue to be not so sticky, likely much better when warm. I might consider contact cement on the inside, since the map pocket is pretty thick and difficult to penetrate with needle and thread.

Update: I would recommend doing it right the first time like OP described, and preferable ising a heavy duty adjustable elastic, but since I'm still reluctant to remove the door cards, I've been trying different adhesives on the above velcro strap quickie fix with no luck.

Then I used double-sided 3M tape stuck to the elastic velcro hooks, inserted, tucked...it stuck, D'oh!