After a decade of experiencing the best that the climate of Australia's interior can offer...my door cards are toast.
The drivers side top has cracked right through in the middle all the way across from the window seal to the top bend. I could probably get it welded up but I suspect that will just move the next crack elsewhere given that it is a plasticiser fail. I also have some very strong doubts that I can get the pull handle cover off without it shattering into many pieces - it is that crazed.
Passenger door pull is equally rooted but the card itself appears sound
Has anyone had any luck/joy/interest in sourcing new cards locally or am I better off removing the card and getting it structurally repaired and recovered or refinished while sourcing a new door pull?
I'm not that interested in a used one because I'd imagine they'd be not much better in terms of fragility but perhaps beggars can't be choosers?
As a motor trimmer by trade I can only suggest that if you check around wreckers or Ebay you might be able to buy some good condition ones , not every T4 will have been exposed to as much sunlight as maybe yours has . My son's T4 is 1997 and his are in excellent condition . I would not bother wasting money on Vinyl or Plastic welding as the process uses heat and it will only make adjoining areas more brittle . Because the whole trim is one piece the problem would be if you tried to "remake" the tops how would you join it or blend it in , whilst with a lot of work the trim could be recovered I never recovered my sons I just made up some plywood panels to cover the old manual window winder holes as I fitted electric winders then covered them to match the seats , if the tops are damaged it would be very hard to cover as you need a strong base to work on . You can see here in the second photo how his are done Transporter, Multivan, Caravelle Photography Thread - Pics only! . If you don,t have any luck with second hand I would suggest you contact a local motor trimmer and discuss some custom made trims . Just found these on Flea Bay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vw-T4-Tra...item1c2edc2f84
Last edited by Sunny43.5; 12-04-2013 at 10:24 PM.
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