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Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-09 7:02 PM (#550058)
Subject: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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In my case (56 Dodge) the panel goes on the trunk side of the rear seat bulk head braces. My has sagged over 61 years and I want to remake it. Probably out of Masonite. Its about 58" wide x 20" tall. They are available on eBay but the price is stupid. I have my old one so I have a pattern.

Go for it or ??

Mine:



eBay:



http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1955-1956-Custom-Royal-Trunk-Divider-Panel-B...

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DepsilonD
Posted 2017-10-10 11:10 AM (#550088 - in reply to #550058)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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Maybe I have been in this hobby too long at this point but $100 U.S. shipped does not seem that stupid. I'm sure 1/3 of the price is in the shipping due to the size. Have you checked with Gary Goers to see if he had it any cheaper? I did buy new trunk panels for my '56 Plymouth from him but the finish is a little different between the '56 Dodge and '56 Plymouth (Plymouth is all grey, Dodge has the black flecks on the grey).

-Dave
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-10 12:05 PM (#550093 - in reply to #550088)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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DepsilonD - 2017-10-10 11:10 AM Maybe I have been in this hobby too long at this point but $100 U.S. shipped does not seem that stupid. I'm sure 1/3 of the price is in the shipping due to the size. Have you checked with Gary Goers to see if he had it any cheaper? I did buy new trunk panels for my '56 Plymouth from him but the finish is a little different between the '56 Dodge and '56 Plymouth (Plymouth is all grey, Dodge has the black flecks on the grey). -Dave


Thanks for the comments Dave. Personally, I think $100 US is ridiculous for a flat piece of cardboard. IF it didn't have one, maybe, but since I do, I have template. I have a black sharpy and nice Bosch jig saw, all I need is the material, i.e. masonite or ???

I figure *IF* I could successfully make a door panel using the water-damaged original as a template, I can do this. I was just hoping for some material suggestions. I am not worried about the finish/pattern because I am not restoring my 56 Dodge, I am "betterifying" it. The panel will be painted flat grey (or perhaps uphostered in a blue vinyl)

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=64288&...




Edited by 56D500boy 2017-10-10 12:06 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-10 2:59 PM (#550108 - in reply to #550093)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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Just got back from Home Despot. Bought a sheet of 1/8" x 4 ' x 8 ' painted one side, smooth the other side, hard board)CDN$18.87). Had it cut to 64" and then down the middle so I end up with one piece 32" x 48" (good for a door panel or ??) and two 24" x 64" panels. One of those will become my new trunk divider panel.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-8-in-x-96-in-x-48-in-Thrifty-White-Pan...

Let the cutting begin!!



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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-10 6:29 PM (#550116 - in reply to #550088)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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DepsilonD - 2017-10-10 11:10 AM Maybe I have been in this hobby too long at this point but $100 U.S. shipped does not seem that stupid. I'm sure 1/3 of the price is in the shipping due to the size. Have you checked with Gary Goers to see if he had it any cheaper? I did buy new trunk panels for my '56 Plymouth from him but the finish is a little different between the '56 Dodge and '56 Plymouth (Plymouth is all grey, Dodge has the black flecks on the grey). -Dave


Dave: Hope that I didn't come off harsh or anything in my earlier reply to you. You have to remember that when you see $100, I see $139 or so due to the suckiness of the Canadian dollar.

I just paid $100 CDN to have my clock fixed (because I couldn't figure out the problem) so maybe I am a bit sensitive to spending money when I can fix the problem/make the solution.

Hope things are going well.

Dave F.
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DepsilonD
Posted 2017-10-10 7:05 PM (#550118 - in reply to #550058)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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No, not harsh at all. We all approach projects differently and place different values our own time (while I have very little money, I have absolutely no time). My comment probably wasn't clear either and was more of a joke. I will rephrase it as: Prior to owning my '56 Mopars I would have had a panic attack at spending $100 for a part that does not make the car go or stop, whereas now I'm thankful when something only costs $100-150 regardless of the part. Its a mental illness.
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-13 9:18 PM (#550260 - in reply to #550108)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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56D500boy - 2017-10-10 2:59 PM

Just got back from Home Despot. Bought a sheet of 1/8" x 4 ' x 8 ' painted one side, smooth the other side, hard board)CDN$18.87). Had it cut to 64" and then down the middle so I end up with one piece 32" x 48" (good for a door panel or ??) and two 24" x 64" panels. One of those will become my new trunk divider panel. Let the cutting begin!!


Well today's weather was better than expected so I could work outside and start on the trunk divider panel.

First step was to lay the OE divider panel down over one of the 24" x 64" pieces of hardboard. Then I kneeled on the OE panel to flatten it out. I traced it out with a black sharpy and cut a Mark 1 panel with my Bosch jig saw and 1983 Black and Decker Workmate.

I tried to install the newly cut Mark 1 panel without removing my recently installed 6" x 9" speakers. Nope. Had to remove the speakers. Even then, it wasn't happening. The OE panel must have been very flexible back in the day and they were able to bend it enough to install the panel. I couldn't do it and removing the speaker mounting plates (a minor annoyance for the panel install) was NOT going to happen. Too much work to go backwards on that one (NOTE TO SELF: Next time do the trunk divider panel before you start messing around with the parcel tray and speakers).

Only conclusion was I had to cut the panel down the middle. So I did. No biggy. There will be a batten strip covering the joint (eventually) attached to the centre vertical reinforcement, as shown here:



Got the two Mark 1 halves in and realized that the OE panel left a lot of gaps between the panel and the wheel well tubs (?). Used scraps of newspaper and sticky tape to extend the panels so they were closer to the wheel well tubs. Then I removed the Mark 1 halves and took them inside to trace the Mark 2 panel on the second 24" x 64" piece of hardboard. I added a bit (1") in the middle that the OE and Mark 1 panels didn't cover. Cut the Mark 2 panel as before.

I tried the Mark 2 panel without cutting it down the middle. Still no go, even with the speakers both out now. Cut the panel down the middle and tried again. No problems getting the half panels in. There were some minor fitment issues that I remedied with the jig saw. I got the left Mark 2 panel fitting quite nicely but the right Mark 2 panel still had issues (gaps at the wheel well tub). I needed to get some additional interior trunk painting done while the weather was still good so I quit for the day.

I will probably go back out tomorrow and try the Mark 2 right panel fitment again. I still have that big piece left so I can cut a new Mark 2A Right panel from that.

I foresee that I will be attaching the new panels to the metal of the car using self-tapping metal screws instead of the OE style clips. Just easier and I am more worried about rattling than staying 100% OE.

Here are the photos from today:



Edited by 56D500boy 2017-10-13 10:53 PM




(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1WithOEPanel.jpg)



(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1WithOEPanelRemoved.jpg)



(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1CutOut.jpg)



(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1CutInHalfToGetFirstTrialFit.jpg)



(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1CutInHalfWithAddedBitsOfPaperToGetBetterFit.jpg)



(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark2PanelReadyForCutting.jpg)



(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark2PanelCutAndInPlaceLeftOKRightNotOK.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1WithOEPanel.jpg (112KB - 178 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1WithOEPanelRemoved.jpg (72KB - 198 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1CutOut.jpg (78KB - 192 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1CutInHalfToGetFirstTrialFit.jpg (154KB - 170 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark1CutInHalfWithAddedBitsOfPaperToGetBetterFit.jpg (147KB - 164 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark2PanelReadyForCutting.jpg (81KB - 172 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark2PanelCutAndInPlaceLeftOKRightNotOK.jpg (168KB - 173 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-14 7:56 PM (#550308 - in reply to #550260)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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56D500boy - 2017-10-13 9:18 PM
I will probably go back out tomorrow and try the Mark 2 right panel fitment again. I still have that big piece left so I can cut a new Mark 2A Right panel from that.
I foresee that I will be attaching the new panels to the metal of the car using self-tapping metal screws instead of the OE style clips. Just easier and I am more worried about rattling than staying 100% OE.


Went out today and played with both Mark 2 half panels. Finally got the left half where I wanted it so I "tacked" it in place with a metal lath construction screw through the flange on the vertical reinforcing bar (1/4" wide, blind, missed the first try, got it the second try).

Then I played with the Mark 2 right panel. Needed some adjustments, including a relief slot where I am bring the speaker wires and antenna wire into the trunk. When I was happy, I removed the right half and took it and traced a new panel Mark 2A_right, adding about 1/2" were the panel comes into contact with the right wheel well tub (the OE panel left too big a gap there). Then I took the 2A_right panel back to the car and maneuvered it into place against the Mark 2 left panel (a bit of a pain). Eventually I was happy and tried tacking it in place with a metal lath screw. This time my luck/skill was terrible. Took me 4 tries to find the vertical reinforcement flange blind. I also put a screw on the upper right side of the right panel.

Now to find mouldings for the top edge and the middle (to help hold the panels in place). I got chilled out there so I came inside. Enough for an old guy.

I think once it is in place, I will paint it flat grey primer to see how that looks before moving forward with any other designs.

What I started with a few days ago:



Where I am now:



Edited by 56D500boy 2017-10-15 2:21 AM




(56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark2HalfLeftMark2AHalfPanelRight.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments 56DodgeTrunkDividerPanelMark2HalfLeftMark2AHalfPanelRight.jpg (152KB - 172 downloads)
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DepsilonD
Posted 2017-10-16 11:49 AM (#550381 - in reply to #550058)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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Dave,

If you are going to part with any of those push plugs that hold the panel on, I will gladly take them off your hands.
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-16 1:34 PM (#550387 - in reply to #550381)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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DepsilonD - 2017-10-16 11:49 AM
If you are going to part with any of those push plugs that hold the panel on, I will gladly take them off your hands.


Not sure what is happening there at the moment. In the meantime, I am pretty sure that NAPA's Body Hardware line will have something:

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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-16 5:14 PM (#550401 - in reply to #550387)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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56D500boy - 2017-10-16 1:34 PM
Not sure what is happening there at the moment. In the meantime, I am pretty sure that NAPA's Body Hardware line will have something:


I was heading to a good NAPA but I found what I needed (I hope) before then. A Geno 9-19837 (package of 3) same as Auveco 19837. Made for Chryslers yet !

(as per pg. 372 of their pdf catalogue:

http://www.auveco.com/OnlineCatalog/v2016/index.html#?page=372 )

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DepsilonD
Posted 2017-10-17 11:50 AM (#550461 - in reply to #550058)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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Thanks Dave, that would probably work but I want to pick up a few extras of the originals.
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-10-17 10:56 PM (#550519 - in reply to #550461)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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DepsilonD - 2017-10-17 11:50 AM
Thanks Dave, that would probably work but I want to pick up a few extras of the originals.


Auveco has something very much like the OE "clips".

Pg. 389:

https://www.auveco.com/download/catalog/auveco_catalog.pdf

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56D500boy
Posted 2017-12-29 12:39 PM (#555183 - in reply to #550519)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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Okay. These photos from a 56 Plymouth on Craigslist hurt my head. Two dividers. Both sides?

From the interior:



From the trunk side:

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Old Ray
Posted 2017-12-29 4:44 PM (#555203 - in reply to #555183)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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56D500boy - 2017-12-29 10:39 AM Okay. These photos from a 56 Plymouth on Craigslist hurt my head. Two dividers. Both sides?


Ah yes, what a problem to have ?



(56Crusader 2dr Suburban Wagon-SkyBlue-int.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments 56Crusader 2dr Suburban Wagon-SkyBlue-int.jpg (90KB - 154 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-08-05 8:17 PM (#567860 - in reply to #550308)
Subject: Re: Any experiences remaking the trunk divider panel?



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Well after a VERY long break of doing nothing on this project, I finally needed to get it going again so I can put my back seat in.

Yesterday, I took a scrap of the original trunk divider panel to a local Benjamin Moore Paint store that has been doing our house paint for the last 18 years. One of their staff has a very good eye for matching colours to their colour chips. In a few minutes, she selected a lightish blue grey for the base coat and a darker charcoal for the top coat. I had her make the two colours up in sample pints of latex (the cheapest way to go).

When I got home I took the panels out the trunk and painted both sides with the base grey (two coats). When they were dry, I used a strange squiggly roller that I had in my "Painting Tools" file box and used it to apply the dark grey. I had to be very conscious of being random, not methodical/straight lines, etc. I think the original finish was similar to "ragging" but I wasn't skilled enough to do that so I just used the roller. In some cases I used a sea sponge to dab back some lighter grey in areas that I got too dark. I also painted my plastic center dividing strip using the same technique.

Today, I installed the panels with plastic "Christmas Tree" plugs after getting both panels into position and into the center dividing strip. For the two outer plugs I had to use a drill to open up the holes a bit more and then a hammer to convince the plugs that they wanted to be there.

I am not sure about painting the black plug heads to hide them. I might just leave them black. I will be sealing around the edges with a "Big Gap" caulking to try to seal the trunk from the passenger compartment.

I think it looks much better than what I started with. "Betterify" is my goal.

What I started with:



The last version of the panels before painting:



Painting and installation.

Edited by 56D500boy 2018-08-06 1:35 AM




(TrunkPanelsWithBaseGrayCoatAndPieceOfOriginalPanel.jpg)



(TrunkPanelsWithDarkGreyLayerOriginalPanelAndCrazyRoller.jpg)



(TrunkPanelsWithDarkGreyLayerAndPieceOfOriginalPanel.jpg)



(TrunkPanelsInstalledInTrunkWithPlastic hristmasTreePlugs.jpg)



(TrunkPanelsInstalledInTrunkWithPlastic hristmasTreePlugs_Inside.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments TrunkPanelsWithBaseGrayCoatAndPieceOfOriginalPanel.jpg (224KB - 121 downloads)
Attachments TrunkPanelsWithDarkGreyLayerOriginalPanelAndCrazyRoller.jpg (244KB - 122 downloads)
Attachments TrunkPanelsWithDarkGreyLayerAndPieceOfOriginalPanel.jpg (237KB - 131 downloads)
Attachments TrunkPanelsInstalledInTrunkWithPlastic hristmasTreePlugs.jpg (162KB - 119 downloads)
Attachments TrunkPanelsInstalledInTrunkWithPlastic hristmasTreePlugs_Inside.jpg (132KB - 130 downloads)
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