Cool thread. I looked at the RRC back in grad school as they were dirt cheap, but still junk back then. Now with more know how and all that I got the Disco, but look at one of these from time to time and think adding one would be fun. Best of luck.

 

It's super discouraging looking at a truck that doesn't run and not being able to fix/drive it. I'm seriously considering taking it someplace to have it fixed.

I decided to keep going with the interior work since I can do that at the moment. It still seems insane to be doing this crap when it doesn't run. Oh well.

I decided I hate the orange -ish wood that's on these door panels. For me it doesn't quite blend and flow together. I've never been a fan of the wood on these trucks. One reason I went with the early version with the plain dash/door panels. I decided to re-stain the wood on the door black to keep with the grey/black theme of the dash. I can already hear the resto guys cringing. I wanted the wood grain to still come through so I decided to use stain rather than paint. Here's some pics.

This is what I started with. The wood looks nasty and weathered. The door panel has dirt in the grain that I can't figure out how to get out. This looks like crap to me




Here's my solution:




I sanded these down with 120 then 220. I was surprised when I first got this truck that it's actual wood. After I cleaned the pieces I used 3 coats stain and 3 coats poly. Then rubbed them down with 0000 steel wool to dull the finish a bit. I sanded the little sun bleached plastic bits with 1000 then 3000 then painted them satin black.



The finished product came out great. To me it blends much better with the theme set by the dash (in my opinion the main focal point of the interior). I need to figure out how to get the dirt/uneven appearance out of the rest of the grey plastic door panel. It's driving me insane when I look at the pic. I've used a brush. Foam. Dish washing liquid. Degreaser. Magic Erasers. Every thing I can think of. I'll find something eventually. I was thinking about Comet but I don't want to damage the panel.



Next I'm going to have some black carpet inserts made for the lower panel. Someone has screwed the bottom of the panel to the door anyway. So I'll get some black trim screws to screw it in.

 

Very nice work! That's kinda cool that it's actual wood.

Don't get frustrated- they are known to be a PITA. I've had to learn to be patient with my Disco and accept that it will be down from time to time as I sort stuff out. I've been lucky and it seems to function correctly despite the 3 amigos and some other stuff, but at least I get to drive it from time to time. A shop will probably tell you the worst...

 

Blasphemer! Why stop with the trim, just paint the whole thing black and make it the same color as your soul?

 

Your words hurt!!!

 

Despite my words....... it looks better and updated and the carpet would cover up the lower panel. Dirt embedded in the plastic, I have nothing. Maybe something like Back to Black to soak it with might help?

 

Yea. Something needs to get this crap out. You can see it in the pic right?

 

I can't zoom in enough to see it in great detail but it looks blotchy enough. Maybe something off this site will shake something loose. 7 Best Plastic Restorers To Buy With Reviews For 2017

You know, if you get the door skins looking good the rest of the interior is gonna look like poo. Your getting into a BIG project there one arm.........

 

If you are going to give an abrasive a try, go with a "Bon ami" or "Barkeepers friend" type of product. The abrasive is finer than Comet. Of course go lightly.

Come to think of it I wonder if a silverware polisher (paste) would do the trick.

 

The trim pieces really look great!

To get the dirt/grime off the plastic trim try Simple Green or Tuff Stuff with a stiff nylon scrub brush(carpet brush/toothbrush). The Tuff Stuff works amazing, you will see the in the foam. I've used Tuff Stuff many times with great results on trim bits that probably should have been scrapped.
You can get it at any Auto Parts store, Walmart, etc. & it looks like this >