Hello everyone! I took off my crummy door panels yesterday to fix a window regulator and noticed the vapor barrier has never been removed. I removed this completely on my vert with no ill effects. Just wondering, does it really serve a useful purpose?

 

The pressboard door card I'm sure appreciates the protection from the moisture that find it's way into the door.

 

Living in AZ will help
Bear in mind that water WILL go into the door cavity every time you WASH it tho. I replaced my failing plastic covers with 6ml poly. If not too late, keep one of the old ones as a template, buy some black silicone and re-do it. BTW a great time to clean out (heck, I WAXED mine!) the insides of the door and check and seal the bottom seam for internal rust.
I used POR 15 for that. Also lube the window regulator at the same time and lined the door with sound protection...
Stu Aull
80GS
AZ

 

yes the inside of the door is basically outside the car, it sees as much water/dirt/etc as the exterior.

that being said the vapor barrier is just a sheet of flat plastic on the 1st gen. Mazda's glue is a PITA, but if you spray it with water while you're working on the car it will keep it from being sticky.

 

Alrighty then not what I expected! I plan on making my own door panels with some extra epoxy glass laying around the shop. I'll make sure to line the outer edge with universal weatherstripping. As for the bottom seam inside the door, what did you use to reseal it?

 

POR-15! nuke-proof in the years I have applied it to rust and wear areas of my SA...
Details on their site, but basically, clean out the old dirt and munge, light sand if there is any substantial rust build up, clean up with their Degreaser, prep the surface with their MetalPrep etcher, then paint on the POR with a small brush. For your project they offer a perfect starter kit with everything above for about $22.
https://www.por15.com/POR-15-Super-S...lack_p_11.html

Mine: (pic)

Stu Aull
80GS
AZ

 

And - HI AUSTIN!
didn't make the connection it was "you" asking...

;D

Stu

 

Stu, you have a ton of sound deadener in the door there! Thing must really make a *THUD* when you close that bad boy! I would do that to mine as well but I'm trying to cut down on weight, not add more...I need to cut some weight from myself as well

 

Ha, hey Stu. Always a wealth of knowledge my friend. I'll be tackling this in the new year. Don't think a couple weeks will hurt anything.

 

Its actually not as heavy as it looks. Stuff comes from an acoustic (auto) outfit that makes a very thin style. And no, I don't have their name handy
Cut too much weight Austin and you will need ear-plugs to drive her...

Stu Aull
80GS
AZ

 

The black stuff is called "dum dum" and can be found through most body shop suppliers and sometimes NAPA. I recommend keeping the plastic as it weighs nothing, serves no benefit to remove it, and keeps water on the OUTside of your car.