Door Panel Fabric repair on '00 Passat

djs134 · 10-18-09, 07:34

Not sure if this is the forum for this or not (Admins, please move to proper location).

I'm working on my wife's 2001 Passat and found that the fabric on the door panels has detached from the foam backing and is hanging loose from the door panel. This has occurred on all 4 doors. I had to remove the driver's door panel to replace the mirror switch and saw that the area that I want of access for the repair is "welded" and isn't easily removed to gain access to the fabric to reattach with adhesive.

Anyone have any suggestions? Is there a reasonable way to "unweld" the panel, pull the fabric aside, apply adhesive and replace the panel? I can take pics if necessary, but I'm assuming that anyone with an answer has been there and knows what I'm talking about.....

Thanks in advance......

Highrev1 · 10-18-09, 03:02

Nothing on the door panel itself look welded...Once you take off the door panel it appears you could just glue and pull the fabric through...

taligentx.com: Passat - Dlm 04 trimtilt...

djs134 · 10-18-09, 05:25

I replaced the panels today when I detailed the interior of her car. I should have taken pics of the back side of the door panel.

What it looks like is that the section that holds the fabric has plastic tabs that were snapped into slots and then melted (or welded) to make the whole assembly permanent.

I didn't have time to experiment with a tab or two to see if I could cut the "weld" with an exacto since I wanted to detail the interior and engine compartment before dinner tonight.

What sucks is that all four doors have the material separated from the foam and hangs loose. She claims that it doesn't bother her (but now that I've fretted about it, I'm sure that will change...lol)